On Tuesday, June 24, Boise City Council considered and approved changes to city code adopting the language from Senate Bill 1141 and making violating the law in the city an infraction with a $10 penalty. These changes to city code allow the city to comply with state law.
HB 1141, also known as the Galloway Law, passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor earlier this year, prohibits cities with populations of 100,000 or more from authorizing, permitting, or enabling public camping or sleeping on public property, public building grounds, or public roads or rights-of-way. The law is effective July 1, 2025.
Boise Police Chief Chris Dennison presented the proposed changes to the city’s code to council.
“The Boise Police Department is committed to enforcing state and city laws while ensuring that all individuals, including those experiencing homelessness, are treated with dignity and respect. Our officers will continue to engage in ways that build community trust and offer support when appropriate. Enforcement actions will always align with legal mandates and be carried out with professionalism and respect for everyone,” Chief Dennison said.
Addressing Housing Needs in Our Community
While complying with state law, the City of Boise continues to support a housing first model, wraparound services, and a compassionate approach to reduce the impacts of homelessness in our community.
We continue to prioritize permanent housing solutions by investing in the construction of affordable and supportive housing, as well as the supportive services that ensure that residents remain stably housed.
- The city is the lead agency for Our Path Home — the public-private partnership working to end homelessness in Ada County — and continues to partner closely with and invest in our local nonprofit service providers, who are working to provide people experiencing homelessness with essential resources.
- The city continues to provide funding for supportive services at New Path Community Housing and, in 2024, the city committed $7.5 million in seed funding, to be matched by local businesses and philanthropists, to establish a Supportive Housing Investment Fund at the Idaho Community Foundation. This fund will sustain wraparound supportive services at additional permanent supportive housing locations in Boise, providing a home to those experiencing homelessness first and then providing wrap around services to help them gain stability and live healthier lives.
- In addition, the city’s Housing Land Trust leverages city-owned property to create housing for residents at all income levels and ensure that it remains affordable into the future. The Franklin and Wilson Station, both opening this year, have dedicated 10% of their units to households exiting homelessness.
- The City of Boise also owns and operates rental properties across the city that house lower-income households.