Mayor Bieter also announced that the city will contribute $10,000 for hotel vouchers to cover short-term shelter needs for homeless women, children and families this winter.
The announcement was held at the Boise Valley Christian Communion, whose congregation, led by Pastor Montie Ralstin, is contributing the use of a nearby duplex for a homeless family for up to one year. In addition to Assistant Pastor Scott Nelson, Mayor Bieter was joined by Sally Zive, president and CEO, United Way of Treasure Valley; Deanna Watson, executive director, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority; David Herring of the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs; Amber Young, Salvation Army shelter manager; Father Nektarius Serfes of the Greek Orthodox Church; Pastor Steve Tolleson of United Methodist Church of the Rockies; David Argon, youth pastor, Church of the Harvest; and members of the Boise City Council.
The CATCH program – Charitable Assistance To Community’s Homeless – primarily assists homeless families with children younger than 18. The program is also available to young adults, ages 18 to 22, who are aging out of foster care.
“CATCH is a wonderful example of our community coming together to assist our neighbors in need,” Mayor Bieter said. “The goal of the CATCH program is self-sufficiency – not just shelter, but long-term supportive housing that gives families a stable environment and vital services.
Each participating faith-based organization sponsors one family’s housing for the terms of a six month or one-year lease. Ongoing case management links the family with resources to address the factors that contributed to their homelessness. Businesses provide financial and in-kind support to assist families with living expenses.
In its first year, the CATCH program will serve 10 to 15 families and three to five young adults. As of today, 22 churches, businesses and community partners have joined the program, with many more expressing interest. Since Mayor Bieter first previewed CATCH during his State of the City address in September, more than $8,000 in cash contributions has been received from local residents.
Referrals to Project CATCH will be received from community service providers, including Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Salvation Army, El-Ada, City Lights, WCA, Department of Veterans Affairs, Interfaith Sanctuary, Jesse Tree, and Casey Family Programs.
The $10,000 hotel voucher program will help provide short-term emergency shelter during cold-weather months to women and families until they can transition to CATCH or other long-term housing solutions.
“We know that families, for a variety of reasons beyond their control, can sometimes find themselves suddenly without a safe place to stay,” Mayor Bieter said. “These hotel vouchers will make sure that everyone who needs a roof over their heads will have one, even when shelters are full.”
CATCH and the hotel voucher program are part of the City of Boise’s comprehensive strategy to address housing and homelessness. Other major components include:
- Ten-Year Plan: Mayor Bieter has appointed two community planning and policy committees to develop the City of Boise’s Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. The plan will develop a comprehensive, results-oriented approach to ending homelessness through long-term housing and services that address the causes of homelessness. Mayor Bieter kicked off the planning process on Nov. 1, 2006, with the first of a series of Livability Summits, this one focused on helping our neighbors in need. Keynote speaker was Phillip Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, who briefed participants on best practices in homeless programs nationwide.
- Detox: The Mayor’s Detox Steering Committee has secured major commitments for construction and operation of a community detoxification and sobering facility. The City of Boise is the largest contributor to date, donating a facility site, designating more than $1 million for construction, and earmarking up to $240,000 a year for four years for operations. The State of Idaho has dedicated $500,000 to the project, and Ada County officials have made a financial commitment in principle.
- El-Ada: The City of Boise has awarded $1,035,000 to El-Ada Community Action agency to establish a permanent Community Services Center that will assist homeless and low income individuals and families access critical support services.
- Veterans: The City of Boise is partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Boise City / Ada County Housing Authority to establish a single-room occupancy apartment complex that will house homeless veterans and community members.
- Social service agencies: The City of Boise has awarded $327,000 in annual operating support to eight community organizations that primarily serve homeless individuals and families (Terry Reilly Health Services, Boise Salvation Army, Jesse Tree, Giraffe Laugh, United Way, Neighborhood Housing Services, Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnership, Women's and Children's Alliance).
- City housing programs: The City of Boise’s Housing and Community Development Division manages rental units available for low- to moderate-income persons. HCD also administers home-maintenance and emergency repair loans for homeowners on restricted incomes, handicapped accessibility and affordable housing loans, and other programs designed to provide stable and safe housing for all Boise residents.
Congregations of Faith and Businesses that will partner with CATCH:
- Ahaveth Beth Israel
- Boise Valley Christian Communion
- Church of the Harvest
- Euclid Community Church of the Nazarene
- Greek Orthodox Church
- St. John’s Cathedral
- Vineyard Church
- LDS Churches
- First United Methodist Cathedral of the Rockies
- Hopkins Financial
- Idaho Power
- Tomlinson and Associates
- Calvary Chapel
- Immanuel Lutheran
- St. Vincent DePaul
Community partners in CATCH:
- Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority (intake and referrals)
- Neighborhood Housing Services (housing units)
- BSU School of Social Work (interns)
- Salvation Army (intake and referrals)
- St. Vincent DePaul (thrift store vouchers)
- Idaho Youth Ranch (thrift store vouchers)
- Terry Reilly Health Services (free health services)