The Idaho Supreme Court’s ruling wasn’t about whether Interfaith Sanctuary’s shelter should or shouldn’t be approved—it was about how the City of Boise handled the approval process. The court found that the Boise City Council did not follow its own rules when it overturned the Planning & Zoning Commission’s (P&Z) denial of the application. Under city code, P&Z has the final authority on conditional use permits unless it makes a legal error, and the council can’t simply overrule P&Z because they disagree with the decision.

This means the issue was a procedural error by the city, not a problem with Interfaith Sanctuary’s application itself. The shelter still has the right to reapply, and the city is now considering changes to its process to ensure that decisions on future applications follow the correct legal procedures.

The purpose is to maximize efficiency, accessibility, and effectiveness in serving the homeless community. This approach is the best because a single, well-equipped shelter allows for consolidated resources including case management, medical care, mental health services, job training, and meals—all in one place. Not only is it more cost-effective, but it allows for better partnerships with hospitals, outreach teams, and rehab programs, making it easier to transition guests into long-term housing and support.

Shelters on the outskirts often create transportation challenges for residents, increasing isolation and making reintegration and employment harder. The goal isn’t just shelter—it’s permanent housing. A well-run, centrally located shelter can work more effectively with housing agencies to transition guests into stable living situations, rather than just managing homelessness in multiple remote locations.

Interfaith Sanctuary’s new shelter is designed to serve more individuals by providing separate spaces for families, single adults, and those with medical needs, rather than forcing people to choose between safety and services.

Interfaith Sanctuary does not receive any funding from tax payers. We are a private non-profit that operates off private donations and grants.

Interfaith Sanctuary’s fundraising dollars are used 100% to cover the cost of our shelter services which includes: overnight shelter, meals, staffing, on-site programs, service costs and all operations.

The former Salvation Army complex on State Street stood out as an ideal location for our new shelter for several key reasons:

Building & Site Advantages

• The property offers 42,500 square feet of adaptable space across multiple buildings – over four times larger than our current River Street location
• Nearly two acres of land allows for both indoor and outdoor community spaces
• The existing building layout naturally accommodates separate spaces for different guest populations
• The buildings’ previous use as a service center means many spaces are already well-suited for community support functions

Location Benefits

1. More Space & Improved Layout
   • The larger facility allows for more dignified accommodations, reducing the need for emergency overflow options like floor spots or outdoor military tents.
   • Dedicated spaces for families, single adults, and medically fragile guests create a safer and more organized environment.
2. Better Accessibility to Services
   • The shelter is located near bus routes, medical clinics, grocery stores, and job opportunities, making it easier for guests to access essential services.
   • Dedicated spaces for mental health support, recovery programs, and job training allow for on-site services to help guests stabilize and rebuild their lives.
3. Family-Focused Support
   • The New Family Shelter Building, funded in part by major donations, will provide separate, trauma-informed spaces for parents and children.
   • Safe play areas and study spaces for children will give them stability while their families work toward permanent housing.
4. Health & Recovery Services
   • The new shelter includes a medical respite program for guests with significant health needs, ensuring better recovery and long-term well-being.
   • Expanded space allows for on-site case management, mental health counseling, and addiction recovery support.
5. Sustainable Operations & Long-Term Stability
   • The permanent facility reduces reliance on temporary emergency measures, making the shelter more cost-effective and sustainable over time.
   • With room to accommodate the increasing demand, guests will no longer have to be turned away due to capacity limits.
6. Community Integration & Improved Neighborhood Relations
   • Designed with community collaboration in mind, the new location includes designated public areas for outreach, job training, and volunteer opportunities.
   • The facility was built with safety and neighborhood engagement in mind, ensuring that both guests and nearby residents benefit from a well-managed shelter model.

Operational Advantages
The multiple buildings allow us to create dedicated spaces for:

• Families with children
• Senior citizens
• Medically fragile individuals
• Single adults

The larger footprint enables us to:

• Provide 24/7 shelter access
• House medical services on-site
• Create permanent classroom and program spaces
• Offer proper commercial kitchen facilities
• Include adequate storage for guests’ belongings
• Maintain separate outdoor spaces for different guest populations

Community Integration

• The site’s size allows for thoughtful design elements that enhance neighborhood integration
• Multiple buildings help us manage foot traffic and reduce impact on surrounding areas

While concerns about safety are common when a new shelter is proposed, the reality is that well-managed shelters do not increase crime rates when they have the right structures in place. Research on shelters in other cities shows that crime does not rise when a shelter is properly managed. In some cases, crime actually decreases because people experiencing homelessness have a safe place to go instead of sleeping in unsafe areas. Without a shelter, people experiencing homelessness are forced to camp in unsafe conditions, increasing community concerns about public safety.

Interfaith Sanctuary’s new shelter has on-site security personnel 24/7 to ensure safety for both guests and the surrounding neighborhood and guests have full access to the facility 24/7. Unlike traditional shelters that require guests to leave in the morning, this shelter provides a stable, safe space where individuals can stay throughout the day if needed. Guests have the flexibility to come and go as necessary, allowing them to maintain their daily routines while always having a secure place to return to.

Shelters like Interfaith Sanctuary are part of the solution, not the problem.

Our main building will serve single men and women with comprehensive facilities including:

• Medical facilities: dedicated medical dorm, hospice rooms, exam room, and nursing station (operated in partnership with Terry Reilly Health Services and Full Circle Health)
• Sleeping arrangements: small dorms with single beds to reduce noise and a limited number of emergency beds for urgent night-by-night needs
• Educational spaces: classrooms for recovery programs, mental health services, art therapy, and job training and a permanent home for Word on the Street
• Dining facilities: full-service commercial kitchen with sit-down dining area
• Additional amenities: day shelter with computer library, laundry facilities, mail room, and de-escalation room

Idaho is 3rd in the nation for the number of unsheltered families experiencing homelessness (Idaho Housing and Finance Association, 2024). One major barrier for families seeking shelter is the separation of family members by gender. Our approach is simple: keep families together. Families will be housed in a dedicated two-story building that includes:

• Sleeping accommodations for up to 100 family members
• Private family suites
• Dedicated family dining area
• Early Education classroom
• Teen computer and activity room
• On-site laundry facilities
• Case management offices

Yes! We will have a separate building for single individuals who are financially self-sustaining and actively looking to secure permanent housing.

Single individuals have access to a dedicated outdoor area featuring:

• Secure storage: lockers and bike storage
• Recreation spaces: landscaped park with benches and trees
• Zen garden for relaxation
• Community garden
• Outdoor dining space

Families have their own dedicated outdoor space that includes:

• Children’s playground
• Family outdoor dining area
• Green space for recreation
• Family community garden
• Secure storage for strollers and bikes

In Idaho the leading cause of homelessness is domestic violence. However, there are a number of complex and interconnected reasons Idahoans experience homelessness including: the high cost of living, medical emergencies and disabilities, mental health crises, under-employment or lack of employment, eviction, substance abuse, and a lack of affordable housing. For more information see the 2024 State of Homelessness in Idaho Report by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.

We provide day programming  and over night shelter. This allows us to offer holistic support to all of our guests by meeting them where they are at. During the day our building becomes a sanctuary of learning, recovering, growing, creating and moving forward towards a better life, and by night our building is the only low barrier shelter in Boise. As a low-barrier shelter, we minimize obstacles that might prevent people from accessing emergency shelter services. We believe everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, regardless of their circumstances.

Interfaith Sanctuary takes a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach to support guests struggling with addiction while also offering long-term rehabilitation pathways. The goal is to stabilize individuals first—providing a safe place to sleep, access to healthcare, and connection to case managers—so they can work toward recovery, housing, and employment when ready.

As a low-barrier shelter, Interfaith doesn’t require sobriety for entry and recognizes that many struggling with addiction need a safe place before they can commit to recovery. Through recovery support programming, staff actively engage with guests about their substance use, offering resources, treatment referrals and support instead of ignoring the issue. Substance use on-site is not allowed and safety measures such as on-site security and medical support are in place to manage risks.

 For those who relapse, the focus is on continued support and accountability, not punishment or abandonment. Trained staff provide overdose prevention education and access to Narcan and medical partnerships help guests get access to detox programs, MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), and mental health support. Guests work with case managers to create individualized plans that address housing, employment, and substance use. Stable housing is often key to long-term recovery, so Interfaith works to get people into supportive housing programs instead of just shelter cycling.

Interfaith’s philosophy is that addiction isn’t a choice, but recovery can be—and people are more likely to choose it when they have stability, support, and hope.

The community plays a critical role in helping individuals experiencing homelessness regain stability. Compassionate actions—both big and small—can make a huge difference. As a community member, you can volunteer your time at the shelter or donate money, food, hygiene products or clothing to shelters like Interfaith Sanctuary to help meet basic needs.

If you encounter a homeless individual, acknowledge them as a human being. A simple greeting or conversation can make someone feel seen and valued. Avoid assumptions and judgment since many factors—such as job loss, medical emergencies, or domestic violence—can lead to homelessness. Carry care kits of socks, snacks, water, and hygiene items to hand out when you see someone in need. Connect people to resources like shelters, food banks, or medical services if they seem unaware of available help.

Encourage landlords to rent to people with housing vouchers or those overcoming past evictions.Support “Housing First” initiatives that prioritize stable housing as the foundation for rebuilding lives.

Lastly, speak up when you hear negative misconceptions—emphasize that homelessness is a situation, not a character flaw. Compassion, when turned into action, can help individuals move forward and create a stronger, more connected community for everyone. That’s what Interfaith stands for.