BOISE - The 2000 Idaho Governor’s Conference on Housing opened today with remarks from Governor Dirk Kempthorne. In his speech, the governor cited the explosive growth Idaho has experienced this past decade and called upon the nearly 400 conference attendees to work to meet the affordable housing needs this growth has created.

"One of the things we should focus on is the need for basic shelter as one of the defining elements in the quality of our lives," Gov. Kempthorne said in a pre-recorded video address. "Education, employment and community activism are difficult, if not impossible, until this basic need is met. It is for this reason that affordable housing represents the foundation for addressing many of the social and economic goals that are so critical to Idaho’s well being."

Conference participants included developers, Realtors®, builders, lenders, governmental agencies, nonprofit housing organizations and state legislators. Former Governor Phil Batt directed IHFA and 27 planning partners to implement this housing conference. Held every three years, the first conference was in 1994.

This morning’s keynote speaker was Mark Shields, a political analyst and nationally syndicated columnist who appears on "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" and moderates CNN’s "The Capital Gang." Shields spoke of our nation’s fundamental optimism and Americans’ tendency to do what he referred to as "acts of future preference."

"The American tradition of acting on future preference is a willingness here and now to make sacrifices…to provide for those who come after us so that they may enjoy lives as healthy, safe and decent as we have," Shields said. "Those of you who advocate and work for affordable housing are acting on this future preference by helping those less fortunate than you. We all want an America where the strong are just, and the weak are secure. With your help, that can be possible."

Michael Pyatok, an award-winning architect of affordable multifamily housing developments was today’s lunch keynote speaker. He explored the real-life solutions that make affordable housing both user- and neighborhood friendly, sharing some of the developments he has worked on around the nation and stressing the importance of community involvement.

"The neighborhood fit of a development is critical, because neighbors are the gatekeepers to whether it will be built or not," said Pyatok. "Working with them, prospective tenants and the contractor are all important parts of the planning and design process. It fuels encouragement of people to get involved in their community and to take pride in their homes."

Tomorrow features two more prominent experts of affordable housing. Peter Dreier, a leading national housing policy analyst and director of Occidental College’s Urban and Environmental Policy Institute, will deliver Wednesday’s morning address. Dreier will provide insight on how "Strengthening Families and Communities" and affordable housing work together.

During the conference wrap up luncheon, conference attendees will have the opportunity to listen to Scott Morgan, host of the National Association of Home Builders’ Home and Garden Television’s "Dreambuilders" series. Through an entertaining video presentation, Morgan will share inspiring stores about bringing the dream of housing to some of America’s most needy.

The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow (Sept. 13) and is scheduled to conclude at 2 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AGENDA

8:30 a.m. Welcome / opening remarks by Gerald Hunter, IHFA president and executive director

8:35 a.m. Comments from Idaho Housing and Finance Association, major corporate contributor for Wednesday morning keynote speaker

8:40 a.m. Presentation of IHFA Family Self-Sufficiency Program video

9:00 a.m. Keynote speaker Peter Dreier

10:00 a.m. Morning break

10:30 a.m. Breakout session IV / workshops

12:30 p.m. Welcome

12:35 p.m. Comments from Richard Anderson, Fannie Mae Foundation, major corporate contributor for Wednesday lunch keynote speaker

12:40 p.m. Keynote speaker Scott Morgan

2:00 p.m. Closing conference comments

NOTE TO EDITORS: Reporters are invited and encouraged to attend any of Wednesday’s keynote addresses or workshops. Complimentary passes for all conference activities are available by contacting Julie Robinson at 208-841-9591.