Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services is a collaboration of people of faith and people of conscience who have joined together to shelter and serve individuals and families with children who are experiencing homelessness in Boise, Idaho. Since 2005, Interfaith Sanctuary has operated an emergency winter shelter and has served over 700 men, women and children. Our partners include El-Ada Community Action Partnership, S.H.I.P – Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships, The Interfaith Alliance of Idaho and the Interfaith Religious Leaders Network, Catholic Charities of Idaho, and Corpus Christi House.

In November 2005, Interfaith Sanctuary was created in response to a crisis of homelessness in the City of Boise. Community-based organizations that serve people who are homeless reported to a gathering of faith leaders that 250 – 300 homeless individuals were sleeping on the ’streets’ and were either unable or unwilling to go to other shelter services in the city. In response, Interfaith Sanctuary opened a temporary emergency shelter, first in a local house of worship and then in a downtown warehouse.

From December 8, 2005 – March 31, 2006, 300 different individuals were served. Of those 300; one-third were women and children. Nearly 75% of the total group had significant alcohol or other drug issues and most needed mental health and/or health assistance. More than 45% of those people served by Sanctuary were employed.

By plan and necessity, the Winter Emergency Shelter was closed on April 1, 2006. When the shelter closed, two-thirds of the people who had been staying at Sanctuary either moved to other shelter services or found housing, typically being assisted by El-Ada Community Action Partnership and S.H.I.P. (Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships). The rest returned to the street.

Interfaith Sanctuary opened it’s doors again on November 1, 2007 for the winter season. For the first month, Sanctuary was hosted by several downtown Boise congregations including Cathedral of the Rockies – First United Methodist Church, St. John’s Cathedral and First Congregational United Church of Christ. In December, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church invited Sanctuary to use their newly acquired space at the Carnegie Public Library Building. Sanctuary offered services at this location throughout the season until closing on April 1, 2007. During the 2006 – 2007 Winter Sheltering Season, Sanctuary served nearly 400 different individuals with daily averages between 85 – 105.

The Sanctuary board and committee continue work to develop and secure a year-round permanent facility and plan to open our doors again by November 1, 2007.