November 2022 Updates

The end of the fall semester is drawing near – and what a productive and impactful semester we’ve had! The Housing Opportunities for All VIP class worked with their Service Learning partner Jesse Tree to provide research on the effectiveness of eviction prevention programs. The MPA Capstone class wrapped up their Service Learning project with five different community partners – Boise State’s Center for Global Engagement, Hailey Ice, Idaho State Dental Association, Poder Idaho, and Bosie State’s Sustainability Governance Council. We fielded the 8th Annual School of Public Service Idaho Public Policy Survey. We also wrapped up a number of projects including Creative District Evaluation (sponsor, Idaho Commission on the Arts), Idaho Wine Consumer Survey (sponsor, Fahlgren Mortine) and the Tribal Courts Survey (sponsor, Idaho Legal Aid Services).

As we approach the end of the year I wish you the happiest of holiday seasons. May you have time to reflect on your successes of 2022 and enjoy some downtime with family and friends.

I look forward to our continued partnership in 2023.

Best,
Vanessa

Ben Larsen, Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Aisha Kayed

Idaho Legal Aid Services’ Indian Law Unit partnered with IPI to conduct a needs assessment of Tribal courts in Idaho to inform expansion of operations and service delivery. The survey was distributed in collaboration with The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. IPI created and facilitated a survey of those working in the Tribal court systems, providing services to low-income residents, and community members that interact with the courts. The survey was fielded in November and gathered responses from 39 individuals. Respondents were asked to rate their level of concern on a variety of legal issues including healthcare access, housing, employment, and family law. Overall, responses strongly indicated the need for more legal resources for Tribal members and the challenges to accessing resources due to the remoteness of the reservation.

Third Annual Evaluation of New Path Community Housing

Vanessa Fry, McAllister Hall, Lantz McGinnis Brown

All of the data has been collected for the third annual evaluation of New Path Community Housing. The Housing First program, the first of its kind in Idaho, serves people formerly experiencing long-term homelessness. Past evaluations have indicated once people enter into the New Path program not only does their quality of life improve, but so does their utilization of services such as emergency departments, emergency medical services, and engagement with the criminal justice system.

Housing Industry Trends (sponsor, Franklin Building Supply)

Vanessa Fry, Cheong Kim, Lantz McGinnis-Brown

The Housing Industry Trends research examined the relationship between land availability and new housing construction and includes an analysis of peer and aspirational regions in order to determine how small to mid-sized home builders can be supported as the region addresses housing demand related to population growth.

Key findings include: 

1. Home-building companies in Idaho’s Treasure Valley have struggled to keep up with population growth-fueled demand.
2. Home builders are larger and more active in housing markets where there is a greater supply of easily developed land suitable for large developments.
3. Builders are smaller in housing markets where land-use regulations are imposed by smaller jurisdictions.
4. Established local mid- to large-sized firms can positively influence a region’s economy.
5. Small- to mid-sized firms receptive to innovation with a willingness to champion technology and forge a specific niche in the market have a competitive edge.

MPA Capstone Student Presents at Sun Valley Economic Development Summit

MPA Capstone Student Scott Gronner traveled to Blaine County this month to present the initial finding of his MPA Capstone Project to attendees of the annual Sun Valley Economic Development Summit. Scott and his partner, Aaron Williams, partnered with Blaine County-based nonprofit Hailey Ice to help determine the economic and social impact the organization has on Blaine county. Preliminary results show at least $1.5 million in annual revenue generated from those who travel to Blaine County to participate in Hailey Ice events.

Conference Paper on Permanent Supportive Housing in Idaho

Ben Larsen attended the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association Conference to present findings from the Idaho Permanent Supportive Housing Comparative Analysis. The research team included Ben Larsen, Cheong Kim, McAllister Hall, and Vanessa Fry. Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) partnered with Idaho Policy Institute (IPI) to conduct a statewide evaluation comparing scattered-site and single-site PSH programs at Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties in Idaho. Key findings presented at the conference suggest that no difference exists between construction costs of scattered-site and single-site PSH units at LIHTC properties and more vulnerable populations benefit from on-site supportive services provided by single-site PSH programs.

IPI Director Moderates Forums

Idaho Policy Institute director, Vanessa Fry, moderated two forums in November. On November 9th she moderated Housing for Wellbeing and Economic Prosperity for City Club of Boise. Panelists Caleb Roope (Pacific Companies), Gerald Hunter (Idaho Housing and Finance Association), Ali Rabe (Jesse Tree) and Gregg Colburn (University of Washington) discussed the relationship between housing stock and homelessness. On November 10th she moderated Emerging Trends in Idaho Real Estate for Urban Land Institute. Panelists Andy Warren (PricewaterhouseCoopers), Katie Vila (Roundhouse), Molly McCabe (Hayden Tanner), and Dan Fullmer (Galena Equity Partners) shared insight into specific market trends from residential, industrial, commercial and hospitality sectors.

Gregg Colburn Visits Boise State

Gregg Colburn, Assistant Professor of Real Estate at the University of Washington College of Built Environments, visited Boise State and discussed his new book, “Homelessness is a Housing Problem,” and explained the substantial variation in rates of homelessness apparent in cities across the United States. Dr. Vanessa Fry and Dr. Krista Paulsen facilitated Dr. Colburn’s visit as part of their Housing Opportunities for All VIP course.

IPI In the News

“Millions of Americans will not vote in English on Election Day“, Learning English, November 6, 2022

“City Club of Boise – Housing for Wellbeing and Economic Prosperity“, Boise State Public Radio, November 11, 2022

IPI Role: Research Associate
Secret talent: Culture Building and Vexillology

Gabe joined IPI in 2018 and since then has conducted policy research on a diverse set of state and local issues, including transportation, education, health care, energy, military retirees, city planning, and census participation. At IPI, he is passionate about helping community leaders make evidence-based decisions. Gabe holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy from The College of Idaho and a master’s from King’s College London. He also teaches a political science course in the School of Public Service. Gabe previously held the Guinness World Record (2019-21) for the fastest time to identify all national flags (making him a vexillologist).