Homelessness in Idaho can be difficult to measure, especially when it's hard to see.
Hidden homelessness refers to people who are couch surfing, families who have doubled up to save on housing costs or people living in their cars.
Jamie Nicoletti of Idaho Falls was unhoused at times while struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
"There were times when I didn't have a safe place to stay," Nicoletti recounted. "There was a lot of mental health challenges that I had that were caused by the substance use, and I didn't know the resources to be able to get help."
She explained she found assistance through the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission. According to Idaho's latest Point-in-Time Count, nearly 2,700 people were experiencing homelessness in Idaho in 2025. Of those, more than 700 were living in their vehicles.
The Point-in-Time Count is a one-night count of people experiencing homelessness. Advocates said it can be an undercount and does not reflect the magnitude of hidden homelessness.
Robin Rawlings, executive director of Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity, cited the adage many people are one paycheck away from losing their housing. She said higher living expenses make it hard to save money or move out of a less-than-ideal living situation.
"It's a stable roof over your head but it's got mold, or it's not safe and there's just not enough of it," Rawlings outlined. "Time and time again, we get phone calls from individuals that they're like, 'Hey, I'm being kicked out. I need a place to go. What are my resources?'"
Tyler Perkins, executive director of the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, said they work hard to catch people on the brink of losing their housing. In addition to an overnight shelter, the mission serves a free meal every night. Perkins emphasized the meal is meant for people who can barely afford their rent but cannot afford food.
"Help them with some food, get them down to the shelter, where we can hopefully at some point have a deeper conversation and identify some other areas that we might be able to help," Perkins underscored.
Both Perkins and Rawlings said they have felt the effects of federal funding cuts. Perkins added many nonprofits are raising more money, and those, like the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, which have always relied on their own fundraising are seeing new competition for limited local funds.
Perkins stressed it makes advocacy and community support even more important in addressing hidden homelessness.