BOISE - A newsletter for Idaho Housing and Finance Association home owners was recently presented with an APEX Awards for Publication Excellence 2001 Grand Award, IHFA officials announced. The HomeSense newsletter was selected for outstanding works in the Newsletter – Nonprofit Small Office category.

This is the fifth consecutive year IHFA has been recognized internationally for its communication efforts, and the second time it has received a Grand Award. Of more than 5,000 international entries submitted to the competition, only 75 received Grand Awards. IHFA also received an APEX Award of Excellence for the 2000 Governor’s Conference on Housing in the Conference and Meeting Campaigns and Programs category.

APEX 2001 was the 13th 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 2001 included John De Lellis, "Concepts" editor and publisher, Nancy Rathbun Scott, contributing editor of "Writing That Works," and Dr. Paul Fisher, "Concepts" senior evaluator and former professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association began offering residential mortgage loans in 1978 to assist low-to-moderate income borrowers—generally first-time buyers—in purchasing homes. IHFA began servicing its own loans in 1990. The Association currently has a portfolio of more than 22,000 mortgage loans. HomeSense is a fun, informative newsletter that is mailed to IHFA borrowers three times a year, in spring, fall and winter.

###

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing organization, provides funding for affordable housing in Idaho communities where they are most needed and when it is economically feasible. IHFA uses no state funds or state employees to support its operations. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ihfa.org.