Security Deposit Assistance

As our final summer (which, we admit, has gone into fall!) deep dive on Jesse Tree programs, this month we'll be covering our Security Deposit Assistance Program.

Jesse Tree started the Security Deposit Assistance Program (SDA) in 2021. We learned that people living in transitional or temporary housing make up 22% of those seeking homeless services because they simply cannot find and secure new, permanent housing. We decided it was time to expand our support to people needing a new home because their landlord is raising their rent, or for others who are living in motels or couch surfing or doubled up with family or friends.

Since the inception of the program, we've supported nearly 250 families with Security Deposit Assistance.

This program is needed now more than ever. In 2022 so far, there have been over 690 eviction filings in Ada and Canyon counties and rents in Boise are still up by 42.9% since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

The barrier to entry into rental housing is high. Lasting results of the pandemic have put a greater financial strain on our low-income neighbors. Median rents in Boise currently stand at $1,170 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $1,382 for a two-bedroom. Many people looking for a rental have limited savings and cannot afford to pay application fees on top of moving costs, security deposits, and first month's rent, which can be more than $3,000 from the start. The situation is even more challenging for people who need to secure new housing quickly, but lack the finances or resources to do so. 

The housing crisis has continued as many of our neighbors are needing to find new housing in a shrinking rental market. More and more rentals are being renovated or sold to homeowners; as a result, there are fewer rentals available. Affordable ones are even more scarce. Jesse Tree is the only organization in the Treasure Valley that provides Security Deposit Assistance coupled with case management to people who are renting or informally housed.