Homeless Stand Down set for Saturday in Idaho Falls
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IDAHO FALLS — The lack of affordable housing in Idaho is an epidemic, but homelessness is preventable. CLUB, Inc. has set a date for the Annual Homeless Stand Down, meant to connect individuals and families with service providers and essential needs.
The event will be happening on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Skyline Activity Center in Idaho Falls.
Community members who are homeless, on the brink of being homeless or at a high risk of being homeless will receive help finding resources for housing and other needs. This includes veterans, as well as people who spend the majority of their resources on rent.
According to Denise Spring of the Idaho Department of Labor, homelessness is “absolutely” a problem in eastern Idaho.
“The high cost of housing has contributed to the lack of affordable housing,” Spring said.
Anyone who doesn’t have a stationary, permanent place they use regularly that meets both the physical and psychological needs of a typical home is considered homeless in Idaho. The numbers may surprise you.
In 2022, 52 veterans were homeless in Idaho, according to the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. Out of those, 32 were unsheltered and 20 were in emergency shelters.
“In Idaho, we have students who have been identified as homeless living throughout the state in both urban and rural areas – though our more urban areas have a larger total number,” according the Idaho Department of Education.
The social stigma surrounding homelessness can cause people to not reach out for help, Spring said. There are resources available available, she said. People just need to know where to go and how to access them.
Services provided at the event will include medical screenings, flu shots, winter clothing, cold weather gear and food. Community services will include Idaho Housing, Idaho Legal Aid, Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and Veteran Services, just to name a few.
“There are shower facilities and toiletries available and stylists from Salon H. Davis will be providing free haircuts. We will have donations of warm winter clothing, blankets and take-away food,” Spring told EastIdahoNews.com.
The Homeless Stand Down will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday with a hot breakfast, which will be served until 11 a.m. The event ends at 12 p.m. It is being held at the Skyline Activity Center, 1575 North Skyline Drive, Idaho Falls.
Free Transportation is available to the event, but must be scheduled by Friday, Nov. 3. Call CLUB, Inc. at (208) 529-4673 to reserve a ride.
If you or your organization would like to donate to the event, the following items are needed and can be accepted until Friday:
- Clean and lightly-used warm winter clothing
- Cold weather supplies such as blankets and sleeping bags
- Food that is easily transportable (hot cocoa, soup packets, fruit cups, tuna/crackers, granola bars, etc.)