Fair housing is one of the ways we help Idahoans protect themselves and their families; through education, outreach, and direct legal support when discrimination happens. That's why recent federal funding cuts hit close to home. 

This week, KTVB reported on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's abrupt cancellation of fair housing grants, including funding that supported our work at Idaho Legal Aid Services. The decision arrived late and without clear explanation, forcing us to scale back planned outreach and reduce capacity on our housing hotline—even though these funds were expected to continue into early summer. 

ILAS Executive Director Sunrise Ayers spoke with KTVB about the immediate impact on our staff and the families we serve. The story also highlights how quickly real consequences follow when access to information and legal support shrinks. 

We're sharing this coverage because it reflects something we see every day: fair housing rights only matter when people can realistically access help to understand them and act on them in time. That's the work we do—and the work we'll continue doing, even when resources are uncertain. 

If you or someone you know is facing housing discrimination, we're still here. 

Attribution/Source: KTVB (KTVB Staff, Abby Davis), "Vulnerable Idahoans without legal aid after HUD cancels fair housing grants," published March 3, 2025. Read the original reporting (external link)

Fair housing work at ILAS is about reaching people before a problem becomes a crisis—helping Idahoans recognize discrimination, understand the timelines that apply, and know what steps to take while there's still time to act. That work depends on resources we can plan around. 

In early March, KMVT reported on the abrupt cancellation of a HUD fair housing grant that supports this kind of community education and direct legal guidance. ILAS Twin Falls Managing Attorney Kathleen Arnold spoke with KMVT about the notice we received on February 27 and the immediate disruption it caused. Executive Director Sunrise Ayers described the practical impact: reduced hotline capacity, fewer appointment slots, and fewer days available to help people who call.

We're sharing this coverage because it reflects something important about how legal aid works—and how quickly that work can be undone. When resources shrink, the consequences don't stay abstract. They land on families trying to keep their housing, protect their rights, and respond before deadlines pass. 

We're still here, and we're still taking calls. If you're facing a housing issue, reach out. 

Attribution/Source: KMVT/KSVT (Ryan Hill), "Fair housing grant cut affecting Idaho Legal Aid Services," published March 7, 2025. Read the original reporting (external link).

Most of what gets shared here is local coverage involving stories about our work in Idaho and the people ILAS serves. But sometimes national reporting can help explain why local work matters, and how changes in federal policy show up so quickly in the lives of real families.

NPR recently reported on how cuts to federal funding and enforcement capacity are weakening fair housing protections across the country. When the systems designed to investigate complaints and hold landlords accountable lose resources, people are left navigating serious housing problems alone - often under tight deadlines and enormous stress.

This isn't abstract for Idaho families. Fair housing protections exist for renters and homeowners, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and anyone deserving a fair chance at stable housing. So when enforcement shrinks nationally, the effects end up being felt everywhere (including Idaho).

If you're facing housing discrimination in Idaho, we can help.

(General information, not legal advice.)

Attribution/Source: NPR, reporting on HUD funding and fair housing enforcement, published March 15, 2025. Read the original reporting (external link)