Our Vision
A future where every Idahoan has a home they can afford.
Idaho communities can grow without losing what makes them special. We envision a state where working families can live near jobs, schools, and daily needs; where Idaho seniors and young families alike can stay; and where the way we grow preserves our farmland, open space, and quality of life.
Advocate
For more homes across Idaho, including ADUs, duplexes, and starter homes, by engaging decision-makers, shaping policy proposals, and countering opposition with facts and stories.
Educate
Our state about the benefits of new housing of different types and sizes using storytelling, earned media, public engagement, and targeted campaigns.
Organize
With partners across Idaho who understand that housing affects every part of life and provide opportunities to turn care into action.
Convene
Bring Idaho’s housing community together by connecting businesses, nonprofits, and policymakers, sharing knowledge, highlighting opportunities, and creating space for collaboration.
Advocate
For more homes across Idaho, including ADUs, duplexes, and starter homes, by engaging decision-makers, shaping policy proposals, and countering opposition with facts and stories.
Educate
Our state about the benefits of new housing and density using storytelling, earned media, public forums, and targeted campaigns that highlight the people behind the policies.
Organize
With partners across Idaho who understand that housing affects every part of life and provide opportunities to turn care into action.
Convene
Bring Idaho’s housing community together by connecting developers, builders, lenders, nonprofits, and policymakers, sharing knowledge, highlighting opportunities, and creating space for collaboration and solutions.
How We Started
01
We identified need.
Stakeholders expressed a desire for a state-wide advocacy organization to align and professionalize scattered efforts.
02
We did a national study.
ICF, Blue Cross, and Wells Fargo funded a national study conducted by Agnew::Beck to see what a statewide pro-housing advocacy organization should look like for Idaho.
03
We seized a grant opportunity.
The Alliance applied for and won a grant from the Welcoming Neighbors Network.
04
We conducted a listening tour.
We hired staff and spoke with 150+ individuals across Idaho.
Adopt by-right rules, simplify permits, reduce mandates, and allow for easy lot splits. Avoid caps, delays, and micromanagement.
Allow duplexes, fourplexes, ADUs, and small-lot homes by right and reduce mandatory lot sizes.
Enable housing in commercial and industrial zones and reuse underused land.
Work to identify unused parcels for workforce and starter homes. Utilize workforce housing funding, land leases, or other incentives or tools to lower costs of development.
Cities need tools to pay for infrastructure which will allow for smarter housing development.
Gem State Housing Alliance was founded by a group of local leaders who saw the growing need for more housing options for Idahoans.
