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Juniper Springs Apartments
Essential Housing for the Boise Community
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Project Overview
A Legacy Investment in Boise’s Future
After the 2024 sale of its operating assets to WebMD Ignite, Boise-founded nonprofit Eyes on Health (formerly Healthwise) made a deliberate choice: reinvest locally.
A portion of its North End property is being donated for the development of Juniper Springs Apartments, a community developed by The Housing Company. The project is designed to serve essential workers earning below 80% of area median income (AMI).
At a time when nearly half of Boise’s housing demand is for attainable units, this is a rare example of a nonprofit reinvesting directly into the local community, turning land into long-term housing for teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders and service professionals.
Eyes on Health helped millions of people make better health decisions nationwide.
Now, that mission comes home, grounded in a simple idea: Stable housing is foundational to health.
Project Snapshot
Total Homes: 45 apartments
• 30 one-bedroom (649 sq ft)
• 11 two-bedroom (909 sq ft)
• 4 three-bedroom (1,152 sq ft)
• 5 market-rate units included
Building Size: 49,700 square feet
Height: 4 stories (max 45 feet)
Parking: 56 spaces
Amenities Designed for Everyday Living
Playground
Community room
Computer room
Bike storage
Laundry facilities
Fully equipped kitchens
(range, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher)Secure access to common areas
Onsite management
Rents (Subject to Change)
Juniper Springs (Income-Restricted Units):
1-bedroom: $601 – $1,500 (market-rate unit at top end)
2-bedroom: $1,083 – $1,825 (market-rate unit at top end)
3-bedroom: $1,391 – $1,669
Key Comparison Points:
$1,745 — Average rent in Boise (Zillow, Jan. 2025)
$1,447 — HUD Fair Market Rent (2-bedroom, Idaho)
$1,444 — Max rent at Juniper (2-bedroom, 60% AMI)
$1,915 — Comparable market rent (Danter & Associates)
This project delivers housing below or at market benchmarks, with long-term affordability protections.
Why This Project Matters
Who Juniper Springs Serves
Juniper Springs is designed for working households, not luxury renters and not exclusively the lowest-income tier.
Residents typically include:
Teachers
Medical assistants and healthcare staff
City and service workers
Retail and hospitality employees
Early-care providers
These are people who often earn too much to qualify for deep subsidies, but not enough to afford market rents in Boise.
The Need in Boise
Boise’s housing market has shifted rapidly. The gap between wages and rents continues to widen.
Nearly half of housing demand is for attainable units
Workforce households are increasingly priced out
Long commutes and displacement are rising
This project directly addresses that gap.
Why Eyes on Health Is Involved
“We’ve spent decades helping people make better health decisions.
Housing is one of the most important factors in long-term health.
This is an extension of that mission—right here in Boise.”
This isn’t a developer-driven land acquisition.
It’s a mission-driven land donation.
That distinction matters.
About The Housing Company
The Housing Company is an Idaho-based nonprofit developer with decades of experience creating and managing affordable housing communities across the state.
What sets it apart:
Long-term ownership and stewardship
Deep compliance and affordability expertise
Community-first approach to development
Proven track record across Idaho markets
This isn’t speculative development.
It’s durable housing infrastructure.
How It Works
(LIHTC Explained)
What Is LIHTC?
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the primary tool used to finance affordable housing in the U.S.
Instead of direct government construction:
Private investors provide funding
In exchange for tax credits
Projects must keep rents affordable for decades
Why It’s Necessary
Without LIHTC:
Projects like this don’t pencil financially
Market-rate development becomes the default
Workforce housing supply continues to shrink
LIHTC ensures:
Long-term affordability (not temporary discounts)
Quality construction
Financial sustainability
FAQ
Is an apartment complex the best use of the site?
We understand the desire for open space.
But Boise is facing a real housing shortage.
As a mission-driven organization, we prioritize housing people over preserving underutilized land.
This site can either remain static or serve dozens of working households for decades.
What about traffic and parking?
Traffic is a valid concern.
This project includes 56 parking spaces for 45 units, which exceeds typical ratios, especially considering:
67% of units are one-bedroom
Many residents will be single-occupancy households
The impact is expected to be moderate and manageable.
Are these rents actually affordable?
Yes, and here’s the clearest way to understand it:
Juniper 2-bedroom max rent: $1,444
Market comparable: $1,915
Boise average: $1,745
To afford a typical 2-bedroom at fair market rent, an Idaho worker must earn about $27.83/hour.
Juniper brings that threshold meaningfully down.
Who qualifies to live here?
Residents must meet income limits (generally ≤ 60–80% of AMI, depending on unit type).
This ensures the housing serves:
Working households
Local employees
Community members priced out of market housing
Is this housing for extremely low-income residents?
This project is designed to meet workforce housing needs, specifically for households earning around 60% of Area Median Income (AMI), a segment often underserved in traditional housing discussions. The development will also include five market-rate units that are not income-restricted, along with one unit reserved for on-site management.
How can neighbors provide input?
We welcome community engagement. Email us at [info@thehousingcompany.org].
We also host informational sessions.
Watch for ongoing updates via this page.
Staying Informed
Ways to Stay Connected
Review project updates here
Scan the on-site QR code signage (coming soon)
Stay engaged with local conversations, and separate
perception from reality