Boise Seeking Affordable Housing Solutions Following Supreme Court Punt

Affordable housing and related social issues are by far the driving topic of urban planning heading into 2020. Nowhere has that issue been more front and center than in Boise, ID, where developers and local non-profits are pursuing solutions.

The city entered the spotlight this week when the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to review a lower-court decision that struck down a Boise ordinance allowing ticketing of homeless people who sleep in public spaces. The Idaho Statesman reported that:

– City leaders are seeking public comments on the future of the former Franklin School property at the southwest corner of Franklin and Orchard streets, envisioning affordable housing being built there.

– Visum Development Group of Ithaca, NY, plans to build an eight-story apartment building, named The Vanguard, at 600 W. Front St.

– Leap Charities has applied for a permit to install foundations for four affordable homes made from shipping containers on a lot in the 9900 block of West Shields Avenue, near the Optimist Youth Sports Complex in far northwest Boise. Each home would have 960 square feet, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

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