This week, Opportunity Starts at Home’s state grantee in Idaho, the Idaho Asset Building Network (IABN), along with four of its multi-sector partners, submitted a letter to Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) supporting the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act.  Sen. Crapo is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

The Act was recently introduced by Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).  Specifically, the signatories of the letter urged Sen. Crapo to support funding for the mobility demonstration in the final Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill for FY 2019.

“As a group of organizations focused on the effects housing affordability has on every aspect of the livelihoods of Idahoans, we have seen firsthand how important improving access to high opportunity areas is to reducing poverty and improving outcomes for Idaho children,” reads the letter.  “The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration would take an important step in helping families break out of poverty and move to areas of greater opportunity.”

The letter was submitted by the IABN, Boise/Ada County Homeless Coalition, Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho, Idaho Voices for Children, and Intermountain Fair Housing Council.

• The IABN focuses on connecting leaders, service providers, businesses and consumers statewide to help build assets toward economic success. IABN works to ensure that all Idahoans have the opportunities, skills and supports to achieve long-term financial security.  A key policy priority is championing housing affordability and availability.
• Boise/Ada County Homeless Coalition seeks to end homelessness in Boise and Ada County through public education, policy advocacy, and coordinated services.
• The Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho (CAPAI) is a private, non-profit association dedicated to fighting the causes and conditions of poverty in Idaho. Its primary activities include providing information and referral, administrative oversight, and training and technical assistance to its members.
• Idaho Voices for Children resolves problems facing Idaho’s children in the areas of health, education, safety and family economic security. It supports, promotes, and raises awareness of issues to communicate the most vital needs of Idaho’s children through data-driven research and partnerships.  It also educates policymakers and the greater Idaho community to help ensure that the needs of Idaho children are met.
• The Intermountain Fair Housing Council (IFHC), is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure open and inclusive housing for all persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, a source of income, or disability. The IFHC attempts to eradicate discrimination through education on the fair housing laws, housing information and referral, housing counseling, and assistance with mediating and or filing fair housing complaints.

Please read the Idaho letter below.  Also check out the national Steering Committee’s sign-on letter urging support for the mobility demonstration here.

Mobility Letter of Support Final PDF