Idaho Code §§ 50-1903, 1904, 1912, 1913, 1915 § 50-1903
DEFINITIONS.
Operative Text
The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this chapter, shall have the following respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: (a) "Authority" or "housing authority" shall mean any of the public corporations created by section 50-1905, Idaho Code. (b) "Housing project" shall mean any work or undertaking: (1) to demolish, clear or remove buildings from any slum area; such work or undertaking may embrace the adoption of such area to public purposes, including parks or other recreational or community purposes; or (2) to provide decent, safe and sanitary urban or rural dwellings, apartments or other living accommodations for persons of low income; such work or undertaking may include buildings, land, equipment, facilities and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient or desirable appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, parks, site preparation, gardening, administrative, community, health, recreational, welfare or other purposes; or (3) to accomplish a combination of the foregoing. The term "housing project" also may be applied to the planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements and all other work in connection therewith; to buildings, and the land, equipment, facilities and other real or personal property, which do not contain dwelling units or other living accommodations for persons of low income when such buildings are utilized for administrative, community, health, recreational, welfare or other purposes by or for low-income persons or senior citizens, and redevelopment projects carried out by an authority at the request of local government when such projects include dwelling units which are sold or rented to persons of low income. (c) "Governing body" shall mean the city council, board of commissioners, board of trustees or other body having charge of the fiscal affairs of the state public body. (d) "Federal government" shall include the United States of America, the United States department of housing and urban development, or any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America. (e) "City" shall mean any city in the state of Idaho, including each city having a special charter. "The city" shall include those having a special charter and shall mean the particular city for which a particular housing authority is created. (f) "Clerk" shall mean the clerk of the city or the officer charged with the duties customarily imposed on such clerk. (g) "Area of operation" shall include the city and the area within five (5) miles of the territorial boundaries thereof; provided, however, that the area of operation of a housing authority of any city shall not include any area which lies within the territorial boundaries of some other city as herein defined. Provided however, that a county housing authority may continue to own and operate any housing project for which it has become financially obligated which is located in a city that subsequently creates a housing authority or in an area annexed by a city that has or subsequently creates a housing authority. (h) "Slum" shall mean any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health or morals. (i) "Person of low income" shall mean persons or families who lack the amount of income which is necessary, as determined by the authority undertaking the housing project, to enable them, without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe and sanitary dwellings without overcrowding. (j) "Bonds" shall mean any bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures or other obligations issued by an authority pursuant to this chapter. (k) "Real property" shall include all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature, appurtenant thereto, or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise and the indebtedness secured by such liens. (l) "Obligee of the authority" or "obligee" shall include any bondholder, trustee or trustees for any bondholders, or lessors demising, to the authority, property used in connection with a housing project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor’s interest or any part thereof, and the federal government when it is a party to any contract with the authority.
Idaho Code § 50-1903 establishes the foundational vocabulary for the entire City Housing Authorities chapter, setting out what terms like 'housing authority,' 'housing project,' 'slum,' and 'person of low income' mean whenever they appear in the chapter. These definitions shape how housing authorities are created, how projects are scoped, and who qualifies for assistance under Idaho's public housing framework. The definitions are not self-executing rules but serve as interpretive anchors for all other provisions in the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who interact with Idaho city housing authorities—whether as lessors, contractors, or participants in redevelopment projects—should be familiar with the defined terms in § 50-1903, because those definitions govern how the authority's powers and obligations are interpreted throughout the chapter. For example, the definition of 'area of operation' in § 50-1903(g) determines the geographic reach within which a housing authority may act, which can affect whether a property falls under the authority's jurisdiction. Operators involved in projects that serve low-income persons or senior citizens should also note how 'housing project' is broadly defined to include non-dwelling facilities used for community, health, or recreational purposes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in or applying for housing connected to an Idaho city housing authority should know that § 50-1903 defines key terms—including 'person of low income'—that determine eligibility and program scope under the chapter. The definition of 'person of low income' in § 50-1903(i) leaves income thresholds to the discretion of the individual housing authority undertaking a project, meaning eligibility criteria can vary by locality. Tenants who believe they have been incorrectly assessed for eligibility or who have questions about a housing authority's jurisdiction may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the authority's own published guidelines.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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