BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — After nearly five years of legal strife, Interfaith Sanctuary is celebrating the completion of its new ‘Shelter Home,’ with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The shelter is slated to open some time in February once final inspections are completed and occupancy has been granted.
The 42,500 square-foot homeless shelter replaces the old Salvation Army warehouse on State Street just west of Veterans Memorial Parkway. The shelter has been a point of contention, tying approvals and construction up in years of planning and zoning hearings, city council hearings, and a case that went all the way to the Idaho Supreme Court. The approval took a completely revised zoning code, new city ordinances, and a renewed conditional use permit in a process that took nearly five years.
“We didn’t just arrive at a ribbon cutting,” said Jodi Peterson-Stigers, Executive Director of Interfaith Sanctuary. “We arrived here having built something more thoughtful, more responsive, and more grounded in what our guests actually need. Five years of work led us to this moment. It was a long, painful road at times, but it made this shelter stronger, smarter, and better in every way.”…