Housing Incentives Program

The City of Boise is experiencing a pivotal moment of growth. As we work towards a 21st-century city for everyone, with shared prosperity across all neighborhoods, housing for all is a key priority.

The City conservatively projects that 1,000 new housing units per year will need to be constructed over the next 20 years to meet the anticipated increase in population. Assuming household incomes remain the same, approximately 1 in 3 of these housing units will need to be offered at 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or below.

To meet the housing needs of our growing community, the City of Boise introduced a Housing Incentives Program. The program provides financial incentives for the development of rental housing within Boise city limits affordable to individuals and families earning at or below 80% Area Median Income.

Application

Financial Incentives

Up to $20,000 per unit for units available to households earning between 51% and 80% AMI.
Up to $30,000 per unit for units available to households earning between 31% and 50% AMI.
Up to $40,000 per unit for units available to households earning 30% AMI or below.

Funds awarded to a project will not exceed $500,000

_{* Minimum 15-year term of affordability. Rents cannot exceed 30% of AMI based on household size using Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income limits.}

Additional Incentives

Expedited Permit Processes
Priority processing with expedited review and permitting/approvals.

Project Management Team: The project management in the Planning and Development Services Department coordinates City of Boise approvals and offers help during the entitlement process through Certificate of Occupancy.

Parking Requirements: Eligible projects may be exempt from on-site parking requirements.

Low Interest Sewer Financing: Access to low interest financing for sewer connection costs.

Fee Deferral: Some projects may qualify for deferral of other City fees until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Project Criteria

Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. See the Housing Incentives Application/Checklist for a full list of criteria.

Location: Project is near activity centers, public transit, bike lanes and sidewalks.

Diversification: Project includes a diverse mix of housing types serving a variety of household incomes, ranging from market rate and those at 80% AMI and below.

Compatibility: Project is compatible with the dimensional standards of the underlying zoning and/or has an approved entitlement.

Sustainability: Project involves the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, utilizes green construction practices, and/or qualifies for various certifications (i.e. LEED, Energy Star, Green Globes, Net Zero Energy).

Design: Project includes quality amenities, sufficient parking, architecture, etc.

Application Process

Submit Application
Applicant submits an application to the Grow Our Housing Program in Planning and Development Services (PDS).
Review Application
The Housing Incentives Committee reviews applications, scores projects and recommends approval of allocations.
Council Resolution
City of Boise Council passes a resolution to award funds to the applicant. The resolution includes a signed contract specifying the award amount and mandatory project elements.
Complete Project
Applicant completes the Construction phase.
Submit Documents
Applicant submits a report that demonstrates the final project incorporates all required items.
Verify Project
City of Boise verifies the final project incorporates all required items and records an Affordability Covenant with the applicant.
Distribute Incentives
Housing Incentives are distributed to the developer after the project's final inspections have been performed and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.

Income and Affordable Rent Guidelines

View Guidelines

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