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Community Development Contacts

Community Improvement Projects

Rake Up Nampa: Every Year in November Rake-Up Nampa where volunteers help rake up property for seniors and/or disabled residents in the City of Nampa. The 2009 year was a great success with over 105 households assisted by over 1,200 volunteers. See event detail at Rake Up Nampa.

Census 2010: The United States Constitution requires the federal government to count our nation’s population every ten years. The next decennial Census is in April 2010; Census forms will be available around March 2010. The Census determines how many representatives will speak for Nampa in Washington, D.C. and in Boise, but also determines Nampa's share under most federal and state funding programs.

In a time of economic crisis, filling out the census form is a simple, yet powerful way to secure federal funds to our local communities. The census form asks 10 questions and takes 10 minutes of your time. Programs and facilities affected by the census count include funding for schools, roads, hospitals, child-care and senior centers, among many other worthy projects.

Housing Resources

Avoid Foreclosure: Don't lose your home! Here is some guidance on default and foreclosure prevention.
• Housing counseling agencies
  
• Attorney General's office
  
• Legal assistance
  
• Office of Consumer Protection
  
• Idaho statutes on liens, mortgages, and pledges


Tips for avoiding Foreclosure: Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them?
• Don't ignore the letters from your lender
  
• Contact your lender immediately
  
• Contact a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency
  
• Toll FREE (800) 569-4287
  
• TTY (800) 877-8339
  
• If you are unable to make your mortgage payment

If you are unable to make your mortgage payment, visit this HUD foreclosure tips webpage.


Housing Idaho - a new FREE search engine: Finding a rental just got easier. A new statewide resource to help you find the perfect place to rent. Property owners – list your properties for free! The service can be accessed online 24-hours a day and is supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center M-F, 7-6 MST (1-877-428-8844). In addition, the site connects people to other housing resources through website links and provides helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and renter rights and responsibilities information. www.housingidaho.com

Assisted Housing Directory: The new housing directory identifies whether or not a property is an assisted housing provider. This list is by no means a comprehensive listing of rentals or other resources in Idaho; nor is IHFA or the City of Nampa directly connected to developments or services listed. Calls should be made directly to the apartment/property manager shown for each development or service. Housing providers have the final say on the actual costs, services and housing types offered at each complex. Visit www.housingidaho.com for a comprehensive listing of rentals available in your area.

Landlord/Tenant Relationship: As a courtesy, the City of Nampa has posted two guides to assist landlords and tenants of residential property in understanding their rights and responsibilities. One published/revised in 2008 by the Attorney General's office and a second one provided by Idaho Legal Aid revised in 2007. Both of these can be found below in our Download section. You should seek the advice of an attorney if you have questions regarding the legality or enforceability of a term of a rental agreement or if you, as a landlord or a tenant, are served with legal papers regarding your landlord-tenant relationship. You can obtain the name and phone number of an attorney by contacting the Idaho Lawyer Referral Service at 334-4500 or P.O. Box 895 Boise, Idaho, 83701, or you can contact the local Idaho Legal Aid office for assistance.

Idaho Legal Aid: is a nonprofit Idaho law firm with offices throughout the state. They work to seek equal justice for the underprivileged and poor through legal representation, community outreach, and education. They can provide a variety of housing assistance as well as information regarding the fair housing act, housing discrimination and landlord/tenant responsibilities and rights. Click here to learn more about the Idaho Legal Aid.

Rental Agreements: The City of Nampa does not provide sample rental agreements in English, Spanish, nor in any other language. There are a variety of private organizations that may be able to assist in the development of rental agreements. Assistance can be obtained by joining a membership organization, working with an attorney or purchasing rental agreements directly. In addition to those organizations listed below, many retail office supply stores provide sample rental agreements for purchase. Inclusion in the list below does not constitute City endorsement. The information below is informational only and the City can not verify the authenticity of the documents. You should seek the advice of an attorney if you have questions regarding the legality or enforceability of a term of a rental agreement. Some organizations include:
• Southwest Idaho Chapter of NARPM
  
• FindLegalForms.com
  
• USLegalForms.com

Lead Based Paint

The Facts: Many homes in the Treasure Valley were built before 1978, which many of them may contain lead-based paint. Lead-based paint was heavily used in homes built before 1960, but was phased out of paint in 1978. In Nampa a little under 10,000 homes were built prior to 1978, of which approximately one-half of those being built prior to 1960 (U.S. Census 2005). Most commonly found on windows, trim, doors, railings, columns, porches and exterior walls. Renovation, repair and painting disturb paint can create a lot of dust that may contain lead. Children, particularly younger than six, are most at risk from lead. Through normal hand-to-mouth activities, children may swallow or inhale paint chips or dust from their hands, toys, food, or other objects.

In children, lead can cause:
• Nervous system and kidney damage
  
• Learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence
  
• Speech, language, behavioral problems and hearing damage
  
• Poor muscle condition, decreased muscle and bone growth
Health effects of lead in adults include:
• Reproductive problems, including infertility, premature births, low birth weight and miscarriages
  
• High blood pressure, digestive disorders, and muscle or joint pain
  
• Nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems
A simple blood test can determine if you or your child has lead poisoning
• Talk to your physician or contact the local health department to obtain a blood test.
  Blood lead tests are especially important for babies and toddlers.
  Children older than one year should have a blood test every couple of years or every year if the house or apartment contains lead paint or if you use lead in your job or hobby.

Reducing/Removing Lead Hazards: In addition to day-to-day cleaning and good nutrition, you can reduce lead hazards. With the proper lead-safe work practices, wet scraping, non-toxic chemical strippers designed to deal with lead, encapsulating paints, and some techniques like window-trough liners and rubber stair treads, a house can be made safe in the short-term without destroying its historic character or costing as much as the house did.

HUD offers a publication, for small contractors landlords, and home DIYers on this subject, and the National Park Service has a guide to lead-removal in historic housing.

To learn more about protecting your family from lead in your home, visit the EPA and HUD Lead Paint websites, links and downloads below.

Community Resources

Nampa Community Resource Guide: Moving to Nampa? Starting a Buisiness? Need Social Services? Looking for youth activities, service clubs or recreational opportunities? The Nampa Community Resource Guide may be able to help. The City of Nampa has developed a Community Resource Guide to assist Nampa residents, businesses, and those interested in moving to Nampa in locating common City services and human services. Common section headings include:

• Recreation & Entertainment
  
• Youth Education
  
• Civic Groups, Fraternal Orgs & Service Clubs
  
• Higher Education & Employment Training/Resources
  
• Parent/Childcare Programs and Assistance
  
• Health Services
  
• Veterans Resources
  
• Senior Services
  
• Housing Services/Resources

A copy of the guide can be downloaded below or a hard copy can be obtained by visiting Nampa City Hall. This guide is meant as a helpful tool and is not all-inclusive, not does inclusion in the directory constitute City endorsement.

Treasure Valley Community Resource Center: Serves all of Southwest Idaho by providing a vital link between those in need and the many human service agencies developed to assist them. Available 8 AM to 5 PM five days a week, the volunteers work with each client to determine both immediate and long-term needs and provide referrals to the appropriate combination of resources ie: information, referrals, case management and advocacy. Call them at: 459-9263 or visit their online directory.

211: The 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine, a program of the Department of Health and Welfare, is a free statewide community information and referral service. They have a comprehensive database with programs that offer free or low cost health and human services. Search the online database using 'Get Help' on the left side menu or dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to reach a customer service specialist.

United Way Volunteer Center : The Volunteer Center, is a free service to volunteers and agencies. It can help you find the perfect volunteer opportunity by browsing agencies, creating a profile, or doing a search. When you find the opportunity you want to learn more about, connect directly to the agency by clicking the contact link on their listing.

Hands on Banking®: is a free, fun financial education program that presents the basics of smart money management in an easy-to-use format. Topics include budgeting, the importance of saving, bank accounts and services, borrowing money and establishing credit, investing and more. The curriculum is customized for four groups from 4th grade through adults. Visit this wonderful resource at handsonbanking.org.

Canyon County Community Action Center (WICAP):Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Out of this philosophy the Canyon County Community Action Center was established. At this center the low-income population in our communities can access assistance with: Employment, Education, Money management, Housing, emergency assistance, Nutrition, linkgages with other resources, health information and referrals, and to help families become self-sufficient

To learn more about the assistance that WICAP provides in the Nampa area, please access their website or call them at: 208-454-0675.

Fair Housing