What HUD programs are available in Idaho

Idaho has access to the same core HUD programs as every other state: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, and Project-Based Rental information. The programs operate through local housing authorities rather than a single statewide office. Idaho has seven public housing authorities — in Ada County (Boise area), Canyon County (Caldwell area), Kootenai County (Coeur d'Alene area), Bannock County (Pocatello area), Twin Falls County, Owyhee County, and Blaine County (Sun Valley area) — plus the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's housing authority for tribal members.

Each authority runs its own waiting lists and sets its own local preferences. A voucher from the Ada County Housing Authority, for example, works only in Ada County unless you request a portability transfer to move it to another county's authority. The programs themselves are federally funded and follow the same rules nationwide, but the speed of processing, current wait times, and what counts as local preference differ by which authority serves your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Idaho's seven local housing authorities each run their own waiting lists and set their own rules about local preferences, so the authority in your county is your first contact.
  • Section 8 vouchers in Idaho typically have wait times ranging from several months to multiple years depending on the county, and some authorities periodically close their lists when demand is high.
  • You can request a portability transfer to move a voucher from one Idaho county to another, but the receiving authority must have capacity and you must meet their local preferences.
  • Public Housing and Project-Based Rental information are available in some Idaho counties but not all; your local authority can tell you whether units exist in your area.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Idaho

Section 8 vouchers in Idaho are administered by the seven county-based housing authorities. The voucher covers the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for your unit, up to a ceiling set by HUD for that county. In Ada County (the largest program), the fair market rent for a two-bedroom is higher than in rural counties, so your voucher amount varies by location.

Wait times differ sharply by county. Ada County Housing Authority typically has a wait of one to two years; smaller authorities like Owyhee County may have shorter waits or may not have active vouchers at all. Some authorities close their waiting lists when the backlog becomes too long, then reopen them periodically. You can call your local authority to ask whether the list is open and what the current wait time is.

Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 120 days) to find a landlord willing to accept it. The landlord must agree to rent at or below the fair market rent, and the unit must pass a HUD inspection. You pay 30 percent of your income toward rent; the voucher covers the rest up to the fair market rent limit.

Public Housing in Idaho

Public Housing — apartments and houses owned and operated directly by housing authorities — exists in some Idaho counties but not all. Ada County Housing Authority operates the largest stock, with several hundred units in the Boise area. Bannock County, Twin Falls County, and Kootenai County also have public housing units. Smaller counties may have none.

Public Housing rent is also set at 30 percent of your income, with no voucher involved. You explore directly to the authority that owns the units in your area. Wait times for public housing are often longer than for vouchers because the stock is smaller and turnover is slower. Some authorities maintain a single combined waiting list for both public housing and vouchers; others keep them separate.

Project-Based Rental information in Idaho

Project-Based Rental information attaches subsidies to specific apartment buildings rather than to individual tenants. These units exist in Idaho but are scattered — a few units in one building in Boise, perhaps a different building in Pocatello. The subsidy stays with the unit, so if you move out, the next tenant gets the subsidy, not you.

Rent in project-based units is also typically 30 percent of income. You find these units by contacting your local housing authority and asking for a list of project-based properties in your area, or by searching HUD's Section 811 and Section 202 databases online, which list some (though not all) project-based properties. Waiting lists for specific buildings vary; some have no wait, others have months-long queues.

How to contact Idaho's housing authorities

Start with the authority that serves your county. Ada County Housing Authority (Boise area) is the largest and can be reached through the City of Boise's website. Canyon County Housing Authority serves Caldwell and surrounding areas. Kootenai County Housing Authority serves Coeur d'Alene and the panhandle. Bannock County Housing Authority serves Pocatello. Twin Falls County Housing Authority serves the south-central region. Owyhee County Housing Authority and Blaine County Housing Authority serve their respective rural areas.

Each authority has its own phone number and process process. Call to ask: whether the waiting list is currently open, what the current wait time is, what documents you need to bring, and whether the authority offers portability (the ability to move a voucher to another state). Most authorities accept applications by phone or in person; some have online portals.

Moving a voucher between Idaho counties or out of state

If you receive a voucher from one Idaho authority and want to move to another county, you can request a portability transfer. The receiving authority must agree to accept the transfer, and you must meet their local preferences (if any). Some authorities prioritize people who already live or work in their county; others have no local preference. The process typically takes a few weeks.

You can also port a voucher out of Idaho entirely — to another state — but the receiving state's authority must have capacity and must accept portability transfers. Idaho authorities generally allow this, but the receiving authority's rules explore once you move. Contact your current authority to start the portability process.

Income limits and rent calculations in Idaho

HUD sets income limits for each county based on the area median income. In Ada County, the limit for a family of four is typically around $60,000 to $65,000 annually, though this varies year to year. Rural counties have lower limits. You can ask your local authority for the current year's income limits, or check HUD's website for your county.

Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with some deductions allowed for elderly or disabled household members. If the fair market rent for your unit is lower than 30 percent of your income, you pay the lower amount. If it is higher, you pay 30 percent of income and the voucher covers the difference (up to the fair market rent ceiling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher in Idaho?

Wait times vary by county. Ada County typically has a one- to two-year wait; smaller counties may be shorter or longer. Some authorities close their lists when demand is very high, then reopen them later. Call your local authority to ask the current wait time for your area.

Can I use an Idaho voucher in another state?

Yes, through portability. You must contact your current Idaho authority to request a portability transfer, and the receiving state's authority must agree to accept it. The receiving authority's rules and fair market rents explore once you move.

What happens if I can't find a landlord who accepts Section 8?

Some housing authorities offer landlord outreach programs or lists of landlords known to accept vouchers. Ask your authority whether they have resources to help. You can also search online rental listings and contact landlords directly to ask whether they accept Section 8 before viewing the unit.

Do I have to live in the same county as my housing authority?

No. You can use a voucher anywhere in your county, and you can request a portability transfer to use it in another county. However, the authority that issued the voucher must approve the transfer, and the receiving authority must have capacity.

What if my local housing authority has no public housing units?

Some Idaho counties have only Section 8 vouchers, not public housing. If your county has no public housing, the authority can tell you whether vouchers are available or whether you should contact a neighboring county's authority.