Boise Mayor Lauren McLean gave her State of the City Address, laying out a bold vision for the city’s future grounded in principles of sustainability, innovation, and a history of working together. The Mayor celebrated recent milestones, including strategic investments in affordable housing, job creation, and expanded access to parks and open spaces.
Mayor McLean highlighted how technology entrepreneurs are choosing Boise as their headquarters and helping the community become a national leader in the technology and semiconductor industry. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act investment in Boise’s Micron hub, which played a critical role in helping the community become a technology industry hub. The significant growth has already resulted in Boise’s job rate increasing by 4.1% in the last year.
The Mayor unveiled investments that address homelessness and housing affordability, including a city match to a $250,000 contribution from private donors to prevent evictions through Jesse Tree. The purchase of the Park Apartments from Boise State and plans for New Path 2.0 for initiatives to end homelessness underscore the city’s commitment to ensuring everyone who wants a home can afford one in Boise.
The cornerstone of Mayor McLean’s address was the launch of the Supportive Housing Investment Fund in partnership with the Idaho Community Foundation. With a $7.5 million commitment in seed funding from the city, the fund will provide supportive services, such as health care, mental health counseling, and other services for those exiting homelessness.
Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.
At a time when our rights, freedoms, and futures are under threat, Democratic Mayors are showing the nation what real leadership looks like.
