IHFA Wins International APEX 2000 Grand Award for Family Self-Sufficiency Video; Newsletter, Web Site, Advertising Receive Awards of Excellence

BOISE - An 11-minute training video for the Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s Family Self-Sufficiency program was recently presented with an APEX Awards for Publication Excellence 2000 Grand Award, IHFA officials announced. It was selected for outstanding works in the Video and Multimedia Publications – Nonprofit category.

This is the fourth consecutive year IHFA has been recognized internationally for its communication efforts, and the first time it has received a Grand Award. Of nearly 5,000 international entries submitted to the competition, only 66 received Grand Awards.

IHFA also received APEX Awards of Excellence in the following subcategories:

• Newsletters – Printed for its "Cornerstones" quarterly newsletter.
• Web Sites for IHFA’s redesigned site at www.ihfa.org
• Space Advertising for the "Home Sweet Home" campaign advertising IHFA’s Residential Lending program for first-time or low-to-moderate income home buyers. Ads were published in "Parade of Homes" publications statewide.

APEX 2000 was the 12th annual awards program recognizing excellence in publications work by professional communicators. The competition is sponsored by Communications Concepts, a national firm that publishes PR and marketing newsletters for communicators around the world. Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence.

The panel of judges for APEX 2000 included John De Lellis, corporate editor and publisher, Nancy Rathbun Scott, contributing editor of "Writing That Works," and Dr. Paul Fisher, concepts senior evaluator and former professor of journalism with the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

The Grand Award-winning video provides a brief overview of Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)—a voluntary program that helps Idaho households become economically independent. FSS helps households learn to take control of their lives and achieve complete financial independence within five years. Anyone currently participating in IHFA’s Section 8 Rental Assistance program and low-rent public housing in Idaho Falls who wishes to be free of all welfare programs may enroll.

IHFA currently has 131 FSS participants. Since the program began in 1995, 66 participants have graduated from the program. Thirty-two of the FSS graduates have purchased homes.

"We’re very proud of this video and the recognition we’ve received," said Gerald Hunter, IHFA president and executive director. "The FSS video is a comprehensive and useful tool for individuals interested in achieving self-sufficiency. The success rate of this program speaks for itself."