BOISE, Idaho — A new report from the Treasure Valley nonprofit Jesse Tree shows more Idahoans are being served with eviction notices. However, the nonprofit said the number of eviction filings ending in final judgment decreased because of community support.
Jesse Tree puts the annual report together using Idaho Supreme Court data for Ada and Canyon Counties. Executive director Ali Rabe said the number of evictions filed nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023.
Ada County had roughly 1,600 eviction filings in 2023, compared to 800 the year before. In Canyon County, 500 evictions were filed, compared to nearly 370.
Rabe blames rising rent and the end of pandemic-era federal assistance for renters.
"It's really disheartening to see evictions increase," she said, "and also the fact that a large majority of evictions, 25% … are being done by five landlords."
Rabe said most evictions are done by big corporations buying land and rentals in the valley. While more people are being served with notices, the number of evictions filed on someone's permanent record only increased by 5% last year.
Rabe said that is because they had more money coming in to fight cases in court.
"Homelessness is still a manageable problem in our valley," she said, "but we need to stay ahead of it. And so being able to prevent eviction and homelessness before that happens to someone, it's a very impactful thing for our community."
Rabe said they gave almost $2 million in rental assistance last year. Most of that money is from community members donating, grants and the City of Boise.
If the nonprofit is not able to help someone with rent, Rabe said they are in the courtroom with them. She encourages everyone, landlords and tenants, to reach out to the nonprofit before things get to that stage.
Corporate landlords are more likely to take someone to court, she said.