NAMPA aA Boise-based homeless prevention organization The Jesse Tree of Idaho is looking to serve Canyon County, just as soon as it gets the necessary funding.

Outreach coordinator Sterling Williams, who lives in Nampa, said Canyon County has institutions that address homelessness, such as Charitable Assistance To Community’s Homeless and church organizations, but not homeless prevention, which is what Jesse Tree does.

Jesse Tree is a faith-based nonprofit that combats homelessness by providing a stipend of up to $500 for rent to qualifying individuals or families who are about to lose their housing.

Williams said physical characteristics like housing upkeep and rental costs indicate Canyon County is a low-income area and its residents are at risk for homeless.

aI just don’t think it should be like that,a Williams said. The stipend prevents what Williams described as the asnowball effecta of circumstances causing homelessness.

Williams also said the stipend can only be used one time so that the individual or family doesn’t become reliant on it and so it doesn’t encourage exploitation of Jesse Tree’s service.

In 2015, 36 percent of applicants, who must reside in Ada County, were low income (below 80 percent of Boise-area median income), 26 percent were very low income and 38 percent were extremely low income, according to statistics provided by Jesse Tree. Jesse Tree is working with Nampa Mayor Bob Henry to establish itself in Nampa with the Community Development Block Grant.

Jesse Tree is looking to raise sufficient funds through grants and fundraising/community donations to rent and share building space with Charitable Assistance To Community’s Homeless. Comments