American Rescue Plan Funds

The City of Boise has a once in a generation opportunity to invest in our community and meet our residents’ most pressing needs withAmerican Rescue Plandollars. This investment will help us rebuild a stronger, more equitable economy as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Boise received $36 million in local recovery funds to respond to the ongoing pandemic, fill revenue shortfalls and support those hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. While local governments have until 2024 to allocate funds and until 2026 to spend them, we are committed to supporting our local businesses, childcare providers and those on the frontlines as soon as possible. 

girl writing on paper

Approved Projects

In May 2022, Boise City Council approved more than $34 million American Rescue Plan funds to go directly into the community to serve Boiseans who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 through investments in childcare, food security, housing, mental health and small business support.

Community Projects include:

$12 million for Affordable Housing:
The mayor’s number one priority is ensuring there are homes for everyone. These funds will keep the city on track to meet its goals of creating 1,250 units of affordable housing for families earning 60% of the area median income and creating 250 new units of permanent supportive housing for families exiting homelessness.

$10 million for Climate Action:
The mayor understands that taking bold climate action, as outlined in Boise’s Climate Action Roadmap, will create a more resilient community and economy. These funds will help the city transition its buildings to clean energy, preserve and expand the use of surface water for irrigation, and allow the purchase of more renewable electricity in the future.

$2 million to Connect Our Parks:
Boise is a very safe place to live, but the mayor is working to make it even safer. This project will install smart lighting systems, security cameras, and defibrillators in some of our biggest parks. These funds will also help people connect to financial and educational opportunities by wiring Ann Morrison Park, Julia Davis Park, and Cecil D. Andrus Park with public Wi-Fi hot spots, charging stations, internet access ports, and more.

$3 million for Childcare:
Applications are now closed. Checks will be issued October through November to eligible providers who applied.

Eligibility Information

  • City of Boise licensed childcare workers as of May 1, 2022
    • Eligible licenses
      • Childcare Worker 
      • Juvenile Childcare Worker 
      • Note: volunteer childcare workers are not eligible for this funding opportunity.
  • City of Boise Licensed childcare providers/facilities as of May 1, 2022
    • Eligible licenses
      • Family Childcare Home
      • Group Childcare Home
      • Residential Childcare Center
      • Childcare Center

Note: Childcare workers and facilities must be licensed through the City of Boise to be eligible for this funding opportunity.

$2 million for Local Small Businesses:
Applications are now closed.

The mayor knows that creating a new resilient economy means supporting our local small businesses. These funds will go directly to helping small businesses in the city and ensuring people who work there get a livable wage. Businesses can apply this summer/fall.

$1.5 million for Food Security:
Mayor McLean is helping families facing hunger. This project develops a local food system where a lead agency works with service providers.

Learn More

$2 million for Mental Health:
The mayor is improving access to mental health, which has become a bigger issue for Boiseans after the pandemic. This project supports mental health providers and programs that target underserved and uninsured people, and it also grows group therapy opportunities.

Learn More

Community Outreach

In winter 2021 the City of Boise, in collaboration with community partners – nonprofits, local businesses, resettlement agencies and school districts – met with residents across the city to identify key areas of need.

The feedback provided by residents is outlined in the American Rescue Plan Community Outreach Report and was used to inform the city’s decisions on how funds were allocated.

Read REPORT

Message Sent Successfully!

Message Failed To Send.

Send a Message to Mayor's Office

Thank you for your interest in the City of Boise Mayor's Office. Please complete the form to have your inquiry sent to the Mayor's Office staff.