What Idaho's Housing Voucher Program Covers

Idaho's housing voucher program is run by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in each county. The largest is the Boise Housing Authority, which serves Ada County, but every county has its own authority that administers vouchers for that area. When you hold a voucher, the PHA pays your landlord a portion of your rent directly — you pay the difference, called your "tenant contribution," which is typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.

The voucher itself is not cash. It is a contract between you, your landlord, and the PHA. Your landlord must agree to accept the voucher and sign a lease with the PHA. The PHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards before any money changes hands. This means you cannot use a voucher in a unit your landlord refuses to participate in, no matter how much you want to live there.

Idaho vouchers cover rent only — not utilities, deposits, or other housing costs. Some landlords include utilities in the rent; others do not. The PHA will calculate what they will pay based on the "payment standard" for your area, which varies by county and unit size. If your landlord's rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the overage yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Idaho county has its own Public Housing Authority that runs the voucher program for that area, and you must work with the authority in the county where you want to live.
  • Your landlord must agree to participate in the program and sign a lease with the PHA, so not every rental unit in Idaho accepts vouchers.
  • You typically pay 30 percent of your adjusted gross income toward rent, and the PHA pays the rest up to the payment standard for your area.
  • The waiting list for vouchers in most Idaho counties is closed or has a multi-year wait, so contact your local PHA to learn the current status.
  • Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time to find a unit and have it inspected before the voucher expires.

Income Limits and Household Composition Rules

To be considered for a voucher in Idaho, your household income must not exceed 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) for your county. This threshold varies significantly by location. Ada County (Boise area) has a higher median income than rural counties, so the income limit is higher there. For example, a family of four in Ada County may have a different limit than a family of four in a smaller county. You must contact your local PHA to learn the exact income limit for your household size in your county.

Your household is defined as the people who live with you and share expenses. This includes spouses, children, parents, and other relatives or non-relatives who contribute to household income or expenses. The PHA counts all household members' income when determining whether you fall below the income limit. If one person in your household earns too much, the entire household may be over the limit.

Certain income does not count toward the limit. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), some disability payments, and student financial aid are typically excluded. Child support and alimony received also do not count. The PHA will ask for documentation of all income sources and will explain which amounts they are counting. If you are unsure whether a particular income source counts, ask the PHA before submitting your paperwork.

What Documents You Need to Provide

The PHA will ask for proof of identity, income, and household composition. Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need to prove your income for the past 30 days. This usually means recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or a bank statement showing regular deposits. If you are self-employed, the PHA will ask for tax returns or profit-and-loss statements.

If you receive benefits — Social Security, unemployment, TANF, SNAP, or disability — bring a recent award letter or benefit statement showing the monthly amount. If you have no income, bring a letter from the benefit agency stating that you are not receiving information, or documentation of why you cannot work. The PHA needs to see proof that you have looked for work or that you are exempt due to age, disability, or caregiving responsibilities.

You will also need to list all household members and provide their Social Security numbers or proof of ineligibility to obtain one. If you have children, bring birth certificates or custody documents. If you are explore with a spouse, bring a marriage certificate. The PHA will run a background check on all household members age 18 and older, so be prepared to disclose any criminal history. Certain convictions — particularly drug-related felonies or sex offenses — may disqualify you, but the PHA will explain their specific policy.

How the Waiting List Works in Idaho

Most Idaho PHAs maintain a waiting list for vouchers. The list is usually closed, meaning new names are not being added. When a list is closed, you cannot register to wait. The PHA will tell you when the list reopens, which can be months or years away. Some counties post reopening dates on their websites; others require you to call or visit in person to ask.

When a list is open, the PHA typically uses a lottery system or a first-come, first-served system to add names. A lottery is random; first-come means the order you explore is the order you wait. Once you are on the list, your position depends on the system your PHA uses. Some PHAs give priority to people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with very low incomes. Ask your local PHA whether they have preferences and whether you may have access to for any.

The wait time varies dramatically by county. In some rural areas, the wait may be one to two years. In Boise and other larger cities, the wait can be five to ten years or longer. During the wait, your circumstances may change — your income may increase, your household size may change, or you may move to a different county. If your income rises above the limit, you may be removed from the list. If you move, you may need to transfer to a different PHA's list. Contact your PHA if your situation changes.

The Inspection and Move-In Process

Once you receive a voucher, the PHA gives you a important date to find a unit — usually 60 to 90 days, though this varies by PHA. You search for rental units on your own. When you find one, your landlord must agree to participate in the program. Many landlords in Idaho do not accept vouchers, either because they prefer to set their own rent or because they are unfamiliar with the program. You may need to contact many landlords before finding one willing to work with the PHA.

Once you and the landlord agree on a unit, the PHA inspects it to may support it meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The inspection checks for working plumbing, heat, electricity, safe stairs and railings, and absence of lead paint hazards and pest infestations. If the unit fails, the landlord must make repairs before you can move in. The inspection process typically takes one to two weeks after you request it.

After the unit passes inspection, the PHA and landlord sign a lease addendum. This is a legal document that binds the landlord to accept the PHA's payment and you to follow lease terms. You then sign the lease and can move in. The PHA begins paying the landlord on the first day of the next month after the lease is signed. If your voucher expires before you find a unit and pass inspection, you lose the voucher and must wait for another one to become available.

What Happens If Your Landlord or Living Situation Changes

If your landlord wants to end the lease, they must give you notice according to Idaho law — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies. The PHA cannot force a landlord to keep you, but the landlord cannot evict you without proper legal notice. If you receive an eviction notice, contact your PHA when ready. Some PHAs can help mediate disputes or provide emergency information to prevent eviction.

If you want to move to a different unit while holding a voucher, you can request a "lease break" from the PHA. The PHA will give you a new important date to find another unit. The new unit must pass inspection and the landlord must agree to participate, just as with your first unit. If you move to a different county in Idaho, you will need to transfer your voucher to that county's PHA. Not all PHAs accept transfers, and the process can take several weeks.

If your income increases, you may still keep your voucher, but your tenant contribution will increase. The PHA recalculates your share of rent annually based on your current income. If your income drops, your contribution drops as well. If your household size changes — you have a child, a family member moves in, or someone moves out — report this to the PHA. They will adjust your voucher size and payment amount accordingly.

Contacting Idaho's Public Housing Authorities

To learn about vouchers in your county, contact your local PHA directly. The Boise Housing Authority serves Ada County and can be reached through their website or by phone. Other counties have their own authorities — search "[Your County Name] Public Housing Authority" online or call your county government office to find contact information. The PHA can tell you whether the waiting list is open, how long the wait is, what the income limit is for your household size, and what documents you need to bring.

Some PHAs accept applications by mail, phone, or in person. Others require you to visit their office. Call ahead to ask what method they use and what hours they are open. If you are unable to visit in person, ask whether someone can help you by phone or mail. Many PHAs also have staff who speak languages other than English; ask when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a voucher in any Idaho county, or only the one where I live now?

You must work with the PHA in the county where you want to live. If you want to move to a different county, you will need to transfer your voucher to that county's PHA, and not all PHAs accept transfers. It is best to contact the PHA in the county where you plan to move before you relocate, to confirm they can help you.

What if my landlord wants to raise the rent after I move in with a voucher?

The lease between you, the landlord, and the PHA sets the rent for the lease term, usually one year. The landlord cannot raise the rent during that period. When the lease renews, the landlord can propose a new rent amount, but it must be reasonable for the area and the PHA must approve it. If the new rent exceeds the payment standard, you will pay the overage.

Do I have to pay the PHA a fee to get on the waiting list?

No. The voucher program is free. The PHA does not charge fees to register for the waiting list, to receive a voucher, or to have a unit inspected. If someone asks you for money to help you get a voucher, that is a scam. Report it to your local PHA or to the Idaho Attorney General's office.

What happens if I lose my job while I have a voucher?

Your voucher does not depend on having a job. If your income drops to zero, you can keep the voucher. Your tenant contribution will be recalculated based on your new income, which may be zero or very low. You must report the job loss to the PHA so they can update your file. If you receive unemployment benefits, those count as income.

Can I buy a house with a voucher instead of renting?

No. Housing vouchers in Idaho are for rental units only. The PHA pays landlords, not mortgage lenders. If you are interested in homeownership programs, contact your local PHA or housing authority to ask about other programs that may help, such as down payment information or first-time homebuyer loans.