BOISE - Governor Dirk Kempthorne will deliver opening remarks tomorrow (Tuesday) that will officially start the 2000 Idaho Governor’s Conference on Housing held at the Boise Centre on the Grove, Sept. 11-13, conference officials announced. The conference is held at the request of the governor and was last held in 1997.

Following the governor’s address, political analyst and nationally syndicated columnist Mark Shields will deliver a keynote address. He will discuss national housing and political issues during the election season.

Monday’s luncheon features Michael Pyatok, a national award-winning architect of affordable housing. Pyatok will explore the real-life solutions that make affordable housing both user- and neighborhood friendly.

Attendees will also be offered 15 affordable housing workshops on Tuesday. Ramona Burks (ICF Consulting) and Mark Torf (Torf Environmental Company) will deliver an "Update on HUD’s Lead-Based Paint Regulations." Eric Alexander (National Manufactured Housing Institute) and Gub Mix (Idaho Manufactured Housing Association) will discuss "Filling a Niche with Manufactured Housing." The "Future of Housing: Political Trends and Their Impact" features Lyle Frederickson (American Bankers Association, chairman, Center for Community Development), Richard Anderson (Fannie Mae-Portland) and Bob Jones (ReMax West, Idaho Real Estate Commission).

With the theme, "Building a Foundation for Success," the goal of the conference is to bring together the many groups and individuals required to develop and manage affordable housing, to examine current problems and issues, and to develop workable strategies to address future housing concerns.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association and 27 planning partners were directed by the governor to implement this housing conference. Held every three years, the first conference was in 1994.

The 2000 Idaho Governor’s Conference on Housing will conclude tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. Nearly 400 people will be attending the conference.

8:30 a.m. Welcome / opening remarks by Gerald Hunter, IHFA President and Executive Director

8:35 a.m. Video address from Governor Dirk Kempthorne

8:40 a.m. Comments from Pat McMurray, First Security Bank, major corporate contributor for Tuesday morning keynote speaker

9:00 a.m. Keynote speaker Mark Shields – VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS PROHIBITED

10:00 a.m. Morning break

10:30 a.m. Breakout session I / Workshops

12 noon Welcome

12:15 p.m. Comments from Cindy Williams, US Bank, major corporate contributor for Tuesday lunch keynote speaker

12:45 p.m. Keynote speaker Michael Pyatok

2:00 p.m. Afternoon break

2:30 p.m. Breakout session II / Workshops

4:00 p.m. Breakout session III / Workshops

5:30 p.m. Conference closes for Tuesday

NOTE TO EDITORS: Reporters are invited and encouraged to attend any of the keynote addresses or workshops. Complimentary passes for all conference activities are available by contacting Julie Robinson at 208-331-4884.