$500 a Month and Life Skills Classes: A Boise Church’s Plan for 99 Residents Wins a Second Chance

• Mountain View Church of the Brethren at 2823 N. Cole Rd., Boise, plans 35 housing units in seven buildings on two acres.
• The SafetyNet Academy would house up to 99 residents, mainly single men including people experiencing homelessness, at $500 a month each.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the residential rezoning but split on the conditional use permit.
• Rather than deny it, the commission deferred the permit and asked for security and operation plans.

A Boise church’s plan to house single men on its land came close to rejection before planners gave it more time. BoiseDev reported that the dorm-style housing and programme at Mountain View Church of the Brethren was nearly denied before the commission changed course.

The church, at 2823 N. Cole Rd., proposes 35 units in seven buildings on a two-acre site: 33 three-bedroom apartments rented by the room and two two-bedroom units for staff, with 104 parking spaces. The project, called SafetyNet Academy, would house up to 99 residents plus staff, each paying $500 a month. It is aimed at single men, including those experiencing homelessness, and the church would offer life skills training and classes. Administrative pastor Steve Neighbors said it is “not a halfway house or facility for direct felon release programs”.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the residential rezoning but split on the conditional use permit. Commissioner Esther Ceja, moving to deny, said: “I don’t think we have sufficient information on the co-housing services provided.” Commissioner Jennifer Mohr said: “I’m struggling to find a requirement for us to delve so deeply into operations.” Rather than deny the permit on a tied vote, Chair Chris Danely proposed deferring it, and the commission asked for more documents, including a security plan and an operation plan.

Neighbour Maria Barret-Riley said: “There are significant unknowns about resident screening and supervision.”

The Boise plan combines church land, low rents and support services, a model that could help people who struggle to find housing anywhere else. Its path through planning also shows what authorities want to see: clear plans for security, management and screening. Jamaican churches considering hostels, supported housing or rooms for vulnerable people should prepare those plans before applying, and should talk to neighbours early. A well-documented proposal is far more likely to be approved.