BOISE - The Idaho Housing and Finance Association announces its latest incentive for home buyers, the Down Payment Assistance Program offering eligible borrowers up to $2,000 toward down payment and/or eligible closing costs. The program, coupled with IHFA's below-market interest rate, is an affordable combination for any prospective home buyer.

Income and eligibility guidelines apply. For more information about those guidelines, please contact IHFA's Residential Lending department at 1-800-219-2285, or view a list of IHFA's participating lenders at www.ihfa.org/residential_lenders.asp. Completing home buyer education also is a requirement, preferably the free Finally Home!® course. For more information on the course, locations where it is offered, and more, visit www.ihfa.org/homebuyer_homebuyered.asp.

IHFA continues to invest heavily in Idaho's families. Since 1978, IHFA has financed nearly 50,000 loans-worth nearly $3 billion-for affordable homes for Idaho's first-time and limited-income home buyers. As the economy showed signs of slowing last year, IHFA maintained that commitment, issuing $233 million in home loans, one of the Association's largest single-year investments.

Once the loan is made, commitment to the loan-servicing process helps IHFA retain customers. The Association has a Mortgage Servicing Department of dedicated professionals, currently serving and counseling approximately 18,000 home owners.