LAST UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 10, 2025, 5:30 P.M.

Our Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which was unanimously approved by Planning and Zoning (P&Z), has been appealed to City Council. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

🗓️ Tuesday, September 30th at 2p.m.

📍 Boise City Hall*

*All meetings are held in a hybrid format allowing participants to attend virtually or in-person

On July 7th, after nine hours of passionate testimony, Interfaith Sanctuary’s new and improved Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was unanimously approved by Boise’s Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z). That was a huge step forward for our reimagined shelter.

Unfortunately, P&Z’s decision has been appealed, which means that on Tuesday, September 30th, at 2:00 p.m. City Council will make the final decision on our CUP. 

There are two ways you can help! 

The most impactful thing you can do is share what this shelter means. Send your written comment to City Council via email to citycouncil@cityofboise.org. All written testimony must include the CUP reference number (CUP25-00022) in the subject line and first sentence. 

Not sure what to include in your written testimony? Use our list of State Street Shelter highlights to get started!

You can register to testify in person or virtually once the meeting agenda is posted.

All meetings are held hybrid style, which means you can participate in-person or virtually. Check out the City’s guide for what to expect at public meetings by clicking the button below.

You must register to testify before 12 p.m. on September 30th to be included in the meeting agenda. 

With new laws like Idaho’s anti-“camping” bill (SB 1141) and the President’s Executive Order targeting people experiencing homelessness, our unhoused neighbors are at greater risk than ever. 

Our shelter provides safety 24/7 with wraparound support for our guests, including life-changing programming, meals, and medical care. This shelter will reduce emergency calls and bring stability to our entire community. This hearing is the final step, and we need your help to cross the finish line. 

Here are some highlights to help you get started.

• Hope House offering 19 private rooms with locked doors and safe space for guests who have done all the hard-work to prepare for housing but are still awaiting access, helping maintain hope during their transition to homes of their own.
• A 24/7 shelter model that eliminates the daily displacement of guests, reducing loitering and instability while promoting healing and structure.
• Job training programs including our Food Service Training Program with hands-on training in a commercial kitchen and our Micron Foundation Workforce Training Program opening doors to employment and stability.
• Private living spaces for families, allowing parents and children to stay together in safe, trauma-informed environments.
• Early childhood education programming to give kids a head start and promote family stability.
• A medical program offering on-site care for medically fragile individuals, reducing pressure on emergency services.
• Secure outdoor areas where guests can gather safely, reducing overflow into neighboring spaces.
• Thoughtfully designed bathrooms, laundry rooms, and hygiene spaces that promote guest dignity while ensuring cleanliness and public health.
• A comprehensive safety and security system, developed with input from neighbors and law enforcement, to protect both shelter guests and the surrounding neighborhood.
• On-site mental health and recovery support, helping guests stabilize and begin the path toward long-term wellness through Project Recovery and Project Well Being. 

• Early childhood education programming to give kids a head start and promote family stability.
• A medical program offering on-site care for medically fragile individuals, reducing pressure on emergency services.
• Secure outdoor areas where guests can gather safely, reducing overflow into neighboring spaces.
• Thoughtfully designed bathrooms, laundry rooms, and hygiene spaces that promote guest dignity while ensuring cleanliness and public health.
• A comprehensive safety and security system, developed with input from neighbors and law enforcement, to protect both shelter guests and the surrounding neighborhood.
• On-site mental health and recovery support, helping guests stabilize and begin the path toward long-term wellness through Project Recovery and Project Well Being. 

All of these programs, side by side on one campus, create real pathways to lift people up, stabilize lives, and move forward into employment, stability, and homes of their own.

Tell the City Council what inspires you most—that’s the story only you can tell.

The Frontline is our community of compassion in action, transforming lives through collaborative and consistent advocacy. 

You’ll join over 100 neighbors who believe in the power of informed advocacy and consistent support. As a Frontline member, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, regular Zoom calls with Interfaith Sanctuary’s Executive Director, and tailored communications that help you leverage your voice for maximum impact.

When you stand on the frontline with us, you don’t just support our programs—you gain the tools and information you need to be an effective advocate for systemic change. It’s compassion in action: informed, reliable, and transformative.