Idaho Housing Resources & Tenant Rights

Idaho’s landlord-tenant rules sit in Idaho Code Titles 6 and 55, and the state is notably landlord-friendly: a 3-day nonpayment notice, some of the fastest evictions in the country, and no rent control (banned by Idaho Code § 55-307). Idaho is also unusual because the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) — a self-supporting public corporation — runs Section 8 in 34 of the state’s 44 counties. In 2024, HB 545 barred cities from requiring landlords to accept vouchers, repealing Boise’s short-lived protection. This page covers who runs vouchers where you live, the tenant-law framework, and where to get help.

Major Idaho public housing authorities

Where you apply for a voucher in Idaho depends on your county. In 34 of Idaho’s 44 counties, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) runs the Housing Choice Voucher program through branch offices in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and Twin Falls. Ten counties — including Ada, Canyon, and Boise County — have their own local authorities:

• Boise City / Ada County Housing Authorities — PHA codes ID013 and ID021, (208) 345-4909; both the public-housing and Section 8 waitlists have been closed
• Housing Authority of the City of Pocatello — (208) 233-6276; has reported accepting applications, but confirm before relying on it
• IHFA Idaho Falls branch — (208) 522-6002; administers vouchers for 16 eastern Idaho counties

Households in Idaho have waited around 21 months on average for a voucher, so apply wherever lists are open. Use HUD’s PHA directory and read how to find your PHA. For tax-credit apartments, search HUD’s LIHTC database.

IHFA & statewide programs

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association (208-331-4700 or 855-505-4700, idahohousing.com) is unusual: rather than a tax-funded state agency, it is a self-supporting public corporation that runs statewide Housing Choice Vouchers, allocates Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and HOME funds, operates Family Self-Sufficiency, and administers homeless-assistance grants (emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing). It also runs homebuyer loans and down-payment help through the Finally Home! program.

Emergency rent & utility help in Idaho

Idaho’s federally funded rental assistance has closed, so ongoing help runs through regional community-action agencies:

• Community Action Partnerships — six regional agencies (including El-Ada, EICAP, SCCAP, and WICAP) administer emergency rent, weatherization, and utility help
• LIHEAP — the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare funds heating help delivered through those partnerships; see utility assistance programs
• Dial 211 (Idaho CareLine, 1-800-926-2588) for the current list, plus emergency rental assistance

Idaho tenant law: key protections at a glance

Security deposits

Idaho places no cap on the deposit, but sets a firm timeline: it must be returned within 21 days (or up to 30 if your lease sets that period) with a signed, itemized statement for any deductions, and the landlord may not deduct for normal wear and tear (Idaho Code § 6-321). Photograph the unit at move-in and move-out and read how to recover your security deposit.

Eviction process & how long it takes

Idaho evictions are among the fastest anywhere. After a 3-day notice, a landlord can use an expedited procedure for nonpayment; a hearing is often set just 5 to 12 days after filing, and after a judgment a tenant may have about 72 hours to move out — sometimes under three weeks start to finish (Idaho Code §§ 6-303, 6-310). Because the timeline is so short, contact Idaho Legal Aid Services (208-746-7541) the day you get a notice, and read how to avoid eviction.

Source of income & recent law changes

Idaho has no source-of-income protection, and it goes further than most states: HB 545 (2024), signed in March 2024, bars cities from requiring landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers and preempts local rent regulation. Boise had briefly protected voucher holders (and capped rental-application fees at $30); HB 545 repealed it. So a landlord may legally decline your voucher anywhere in Idaho. See our source-of-income protections guide.

Veteran & supportive housing in Idaho

• HUD-VASH (veterans) — a voucher paired with VA case management; see how to apply for HUD-VASH
• Homeless assistance — IHFA administers emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing grants; reach Coordinated Entry through 211
• Fast-rising rents — Boise and the Treasure Valley have been among the nation’s fastest-rising rental markets, with no rent control to soften increases; our eviction prevention hub can help if you are falling behind

Nearby states

Comparing states or planning a move? Idaho’s neighbors handle deposits, notice, and vouchers differently:

• Montana tenant rights — the state runs Section 8 through Montana Housing
• Wyoming tenant rights — fast evictions and no state fair-housing agency
• Washington tenant rights — source-of-income protection and longer notice periods
• Oregon tenant rights — statewide rent stabilization
• Alaska tenant rights — a two-month deposit cap

Where to get help in Idaho

Tenant help & legal aid: Idaho Legal Aid Services (208-746-7541) advises tenants statewide and publishes self-help housing guides.

Discrimination complaints: the Idaho Human Rights Commission (208-334-2873 or 888-249-7025) enforces Idaho fair-housing law; the Intermountain Fair Housing Council (208-383-0695) also investigates complaints.

Vouchers & local PHAs: start with IHFA (208-331-4700) or your county authority.

211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 for rent, utility, and shelter help statewide.

Next Steps

Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool maps Idaho programs to your situation in about two minutes.

If you get a 3-day notice, call Idaho Legal Aid Services (208-746-7541) right away — Idaho evictions move fast — and read eviction prevention.