Housing Incentives Program

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

1. Submit Application
   Applicant submits an application to the Grow Our Housing Program in Planning and Development Services (PDS).
2. Review Application
   The Housing Incentives Committee reviews applications, scores projects and recommends approval of allocations.
3. 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. 
4. Complete Project
   Applicant completes the Construction phase.
5. Submit Documents
   Applicant submits a report that demonstrates the final project incorporates all required items.
6. Verify Project
   City of Boise verifies the final project incorporates all required items and records an Affordability Covenant with the applicant.
7. 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.

Low Income Guidelines

(80% of Median Income)

Very-Low Income Guidelines

(50% of Median Income)

Extremely Low Income Guidelines

(30% of Median Income)