Boise Fact Check

11/06/2023

Jodi Peterson-Stigers says treating Boise’s homeless population like criminals is a destructive path. Criminalizing homelessness further separates the unhoused from critical services. Mayor McLean shares this sentiment, and is sticking up for Boise’s most vulnerable groups.

There have been many debates about the right policies for dealing with homelessness. But one idea would only make things worse, writes Jodi Peterson-Stigers. | Opinion

11/05/2023

Ticketing doesn’t solve homelessness. Addressing the issue requires compassion and innovation. Vote for Mayor Lauren McLean on Tuesday, November 7th.

Boise mayoral candidates debated whether Boise should fight a court precedent preventing cities from outlawing camping.

11/05/2023

"I didn’t think she’d succeed in securing basic protections for Boise’s renters. She did.”

Vote for Mayor McLean on Tuesday, November 7th.

Letters to the editor on Lauren McLean, leaving the GOP, Republican hypocrisy, Mary May, Robert Simison, Susie Schuetz and Grant Burgoyne. | Opinion

11/04/2023

Mayor McLean has demonstrated her willingness to work with the public at every step of her term. Including when the City built a staircase to connect Crescent Rim to Ann Morrison Park. Our public spaces should be accessible and our public officials can play a part in making that happen.

“This project went through rigorous outreach to the public with stringent avoidance of contacting elected or appointed officials for the two years it took to develop the grant request.” | Opinion

11/04/2023

Masterson is “alleging malfeasance and waste” when “that project is a great example of community feedback, public/private partnership, and total transparency."

“Mike Masterson’s campaign has often traded in complaints and accusations that have been proven false or inaccurate, some so verifiably wrong he’s had to walk them back."

A claim about city funds used on a planned staircase caught the attention of the foundation that was involved.

11/03/2023

The City of Boise was ranked 5th in housing affordability, and has the lowest crime rate of 22 major cities studied. This study of pandemic recovery reported on by Boise Dev bodes well for our community.

11/02/2023

Rewriting the zoning code was a painstaking process that sought input from thousands of residents over the course of years before being passed by city council. Input from Boiseans was used to make changes to the zoning rewrite. McLean is working with residents to make progress on Boise’s housing issues.

10/31/2023

Boise is on target to meet its goal of producing 1250 affordable homes by 2026 and creating 250 homes for people exiting homelessness via Permanent Supportive Housing projects that same year. Boise and Mayor McLean are taking bold steps to increase housing stock and affordability, including:

-Launching a Housing Investment Program to incentivize the development of affordable and mixed-income housing.

-Protecting existing affordable housing by requiring city review of applications to demolish buildings if the demolition would result in the loss of affordable housing.

-Re-evaluating underutilized spaces across the city to pilot innovative options such as Accessory Dwelling Units development (ADUs) and tiny homes.

-Establishing a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness by strategically expanding services like outreach, mental health and housing, so that we can make a positive impact on individual lives and decrease the number of people experiencing homelessness.

-Allocating $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to create and preserve affordable housing.

-Six affordable housing developments are under construction bringing 219 affordable homes to our community.

-Two additional affordable housing developments are entitled – that’s 128 affordable homes added to Boise’s inventory.

-Another five affordable housing developments are ready to begin the entitlement process – that’s another 393 homes added to Boise’s inventory.

-Distributed more than $15 million in emergency assistance to more than 3,200 households preventing possible evictions and providing utility relief through a partnership with the Boise City/Ada County Housing.

The City of Boise is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that there is a place to live for every resident, at every budget.

10/27/2023

Adam, a Boise carpenter, is supporting Mayor Lauren McLean based on her work with housing. McLean has demonstrated her willingness to innovate and find solutions facing Boise’s working families.

10/26/2023

We know that ticketing homeless people doesn't solve our homeless issues. McLean has worked to proactively address homelessness in Boise through an all-hands-on-deck approach.

While Mayor Lauren McLean does not support the effort, candidate Mike Masterson thinks the Supreme Court should review the case.

10/24/2023

Polling consistently shows that the top issue in Boise is housing. Carpenters Local 635 have endorsed Lauren McLean based on her actions to build more affordable homes in Boise.

10/23/2023

Tommy Ahlquist, founder of local developer Ball Venture Alquist, said the city’s rewrite of the zoning code is good for business and will increase housing affordability.

“She’s one of the most business-friendly mayors… I simply have no complaints and think the leadership is fantastic.”

Election Day is in less than two months, and candidates are fundraising.