August 2025

Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, Hannah Lang, Kristi Spalding

Idaho Policy Institute recently began a project with the City of Boise, aiming to establish methodology and evaluation parameters for the City’s zoning code. The research team will conduct a thorough review of case studies and academic literature, develop a plan to evaluate the City’s zoning code, and engage with stakeholders on the effectiveness of the proposed plan. The team will then compile a report that outlines the methodology, metrics, data collection, analysis framework, and any recommendations for future zoning code evaluations.

IPI Completes Sixth Year of New Path Evaluation

Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, Lantz McGinnis-Brown, McAllister Hall, Kristi Spalding

In partnership with Our Path Home and the City of Boise, Idaho Policy Institute recently completed its sixth year of evaluation of the New Path Community Housing. A 40-unit, single-site, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, New Path uses a Housing First approach. Our evaluation found that New Path has achieved:

• A reduction in emergency services by 7,986 fewer days
• Total savings/cost avoidance of $11,144,242
• An increase in overall resident well-being

Learn more about New Path and read the updated 2024 evaluation.

Treefort Music Fest 2025

Vanessa Fry

Did you go to Treefort 2025? Your good vibes had a big impact on Idaho! Check out our 2025 Treefort Economic Impact Report to see how your attendance helped power the local economy:

• 129 jobs supported
• $6.6M added to Idaho’s GDP
• $1.4M in tax revenue generated

Read the full report here: Economic Impact of Treefort Music Fest 2025 and check out an interview with Boise State Public Radio about the project.

July Realty Report

Maria Onaindia

July was hot, and so was the Southwestern Idaho Realty market! To learn about multiple counties in the region, check out the monthly Realty Report.

City of Boise Housing Pilot Evaluation

Vanessa Fry, Krista Paulsen, Spencer Reed, Olivia Dillon

IPI recently completed a Housing Pilot Evaluation for the City of Boise; interviewing participating property owners, tenants, neighbors, and staff from LEAP and the City’s Planning and Development Services, the evaluation focused upon two land-use housing strategies in Boise for RVs and Moveable Tiny Homes on Wheels. Findings included:

• Property owners were often motivated by a desire to address the housing crisis, generate supplemental income, and utilize available land. Most were willing to invest labor and resources to prepare their sites, though infrastructure costs were a limiting factor for some.
• LEAP played a crucial liaison role, particularly in navigating permitting and tenant placement.
• Tenant relationships were generally positive and rents ranged from $600–$650/month including utilities.

Read the Evaluation here: City of Boise Housing Pilot Evaluation 2025.

Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) – Twin Falls Presentation

Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Hannah Lang, Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, Kristi Spalding

On August 28th, Research Scholar Lantz McGinnis-Brown and Research Associate Hannah Lang presented the results of the South Central Idaho Housing Analysis to IHFA and Twin Falls community members. Key findings from the report include:

• Region-wide affordability and accessibility challenges are intensifying.
• Workforce housing is a top concern for employers and communities alike.
• Entry-level homeownership is increasingly out of reach.
• There is a growing mismatch between housing stock and resident needs.
• Stakeholders identify the need for more diverse housing types, including small-scale and multi-family units.
• Housing pressures are compounded by the region’s economic success.
• Younger, newer, and lower-income residents face the greatest risk of displacement.
• There is momentum for public-private solutions, but stronger coordination is needed.

Read the full report here: South Central Idaho Housing Analysis 2025

IPI Welcomes Fall Interns

Welcome back to campus, Broncos! As the new academic year begins, we’re proud to welcome new student researchers to IPI.

Parker Case

Parker Case is a senior from Twin Falls, ID majoring in Political Science with minors in History and Global Studies, as well as a Human Rights certificate. In addition to interning at the Idaho Policy Institute, he is a member of the Student Philanthropy Board, an undergraduate fellow with the Institute for Advancing American Values, and an Honors Recruitment Specialist. When he’s not on campus, he enjoys reading, trying out new restaurants in Boise, and exploring all of the beautiful natural areas that Idaho has to offer.

Adam Pendergrass

Born in Nampa, Idaho, Adam is a junior political science major and is interested in the intersection of politics and law. In addition to school, Adam is currently a Captain for the Boise State Talkin’ Broncos and loves any opportunity to get outdoors!

Anika Cathcart

Anika joined Boise State University’s Master of Public Administration program in 2024 to deepen her expertise in policy research and community engagement. She has professional experience in nonprofit development, public relations, and with the Chamber of Commerce, where she helped connect communities with resources and opportunities across Los Angeles. Through her work in grant writing, fundraising, and partnership development, she has observed how strategic collaboration can meaningfully impact underserved communities.

Her professional interests include nonprofit collaboration, policy/program evaluation, housing and homelessness policy, animal rights policy, and improving access to community resources and initiatives. Anika earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Music from the University of Portland.

• New Path Annual Evaluation Shares Benefits of Supportive Housing in Ada County, City of Boise, August 6th, 2025
• 2025 Treefort Music Fest recorded highest profits, crowds, economic impact, Boise State Public Radio, August 18th, 2025