Housing challenge set for Dec. 10-31

Idaho Housing and Finance Association's Home Partnership Foundation is launching the fifth annual Avenues For Hope Housing Challenge running Dec. 10-31.

Avenues for Hope helps nonprofits provide housing and supportive services to the chronically and temporarily homeless, including domestic violence victims, veterans, people with disabilities, vulnerable youth, and low income Idaho residents. The campaign will help 34 nonprofits across the state of Idaho raise funds to help the homeless and those in need of housing assistance.

In a press release, Gerald M. Hunter, president of Idaho Housing, said gifts made to the Avenues for Hope campaign are critical in helping housing nonprofits in Idaho meet the most urgent needs of the homeless in their communities.

“The wonderful thing about Avenues for Hope is that even though it’s a statewide campaign, it’s driven at the local level by each participating nonprofit,” Hunter said. “The goal of the campaign is to empower these nonprofits to build deeper connections with local businesses and individuals who have an interest in helping those in need.”

Contributions made at www.avenuesforhope.org between Dec. 10 and Dec. 31 can be designated by donors to the organizations of their choice, or given to the Enhance the Match Fund through the Home Partnership Foundation, which helps provide matching funds to stretch donor dollars further. Idaho Housing and the other businesses sponsoring the campaign are also contributing as much as $200,000 this year in matching funds and challenge grant prizes.

In the five years since its inception, Avenues for Hope has steadily increased involvement from the community, raising more than $650,000 in that time. In 2014, a total of $273,398 was disbursed to 29 organizations from 1,206 donors and corporate sponsors.

This year, Idaho Housing and the nonprofits participating in the campaign are aiming for even broader community involvement.

“Idahoans take care of their own,” Hunter said. “With the homeless more at-risk in this cold weather, we are confident Idahoans will rise up to the challenge to ensure these nonprofits can continue helping the people in their communities who need it most.”

Avenues For Hope is sponsored by Idaho Housing and Finance Association in conjunction with Academy Mortgage Corp., Bank of Commerce, Bank of Idaho, Bank of the Cascades, Barclays, Citizens Community Bank, Evergreen Home Loans, First Mortgage Co., Guild Mortgage Co., Idaho Independent Bank, KeyBank, Mountain West Bank and Wells Fargo.

North Idaho nonprofit organizations participating in Avenues for Hope include Family Promise of North Idaho and St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.