Jesse Tree is a non-profit organization based in Idaho dedicated to preventing eviction and homelessness in the Treasure Valley region. The organization was founded on the principle that prevention is the most listed-cost and impactful way to address rising homelessness rates, rather than attempting to help families after they have already become homeless.
The organization offers multiple interconnected services designed to keep tenants stably housed. Their primary offering is Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA), which provides one-time, one-month rent payments to tenants who have received an official eviction notice or court summons and are at risk of homelessness. All rental assistance is paired with comprehensive case management services. Beyond emergency payments, Jesse Tree provides case management that includes landlord mediation, budgeting education, and housing stability planning. They operate a Tenant Resource Center offering educational materials on Idaho's eviction process, practical tips for avoiding eviction, and referrals to local resources—primarily staffed by volunteers. Additionally, Jesse Tree provides in-court support and guidance during eviction proceedings and offers pre-court mediation services in Canyon County.
What distinguishes Jesse Tree is their demonstrated long-term success rate: 95% of their clients remain stably housed up to five years post-assistance, based on tracked data. They support 100+ families monthly with financial and case management assistance. The organization's cost-effectiveness is notable—approximately $2,000 to keep a family housed versus an average of $20,000 to help a family exit homelessness. Jesse Tree also maintains close partnerships with Ada County Court and is involved in every eviction court case in their service area.
However, Jesse Tree operates with significant resource constraints. With current funding, they can only serve approximately 33% of those in need. Their assistance is limited to tenants who have already received an eviction notice or court summons—they explicitly cannot provide rent payments to those experiencing financial hardship but who have not yet received formal eviction documentation. The organization's geographic scope is limited to Idaho's Treasure Valley region, and their Tenant Resource Center is volunteer-staffed, which may affect availability and response times.
