Recorded live: Q&A discussion on the State of Homelessness in the Treasure Valley

Working on Affording Boise, our series on rising rents and other housing costs in the Treasure Valley made one thing clear: More people than ever are in danger of becoming homeless in Boise and the surrounding area.

Driven by one of the highest rates of price increase in the nation, Boise’s tight housing market is forcing people to move from their homes and relocate. High rents and diminishing resources have created a new class of people experiencing homelessness — many finding themselves in shelters or living out of their vehicles for the first time. Some need social services. The influx into our unhoused population is putting strains on the organizations that support them, from food banks to homeless shelters.

So, we created this live virtual discussion and Q&A to explore the state of homelessness in the Treasure Valley with a panel of experts who deal with and advocate for our homeless every day. We are seeking solutions to this problem that affects us all.

• Stephanie Day, executive director of CATCH, a social service agency that helps Ada and Canyon county families with children get back on their feet. She also is the current chairwoman of the executive committee for Our Path Home Connect and Outreach, a housing-first initiative for Ada County.
• Jodi Peterson-Stigers, executive director of Interfaith Sanctuary, a Boise homeless shelter that is expanding with a new location in West Boise.
  
  
• The Rev. Bill Roscoe, executive director of Boise Rescue Mission, which operates faith-based homeless programs and shelters in Ada and Canyon counties.

Read all our stories in the Affording Boise series here.

Stephanie Day, CATCH executive director

Jodi Stigers, Interfaith Sanctuary executive director

Rev. Bill Roscoe, Boise Rescue Mission executive director

Rachel Spacek, Idaho Statesman reporter and moderator

This story was originally published May 9, 2022 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Recorded live: Q&A discussion on the State of Homelessness in the Treasure Valley."