BOISE - In 2002, North Idaho and Panhandle region residents benefited from an economic impact and investment of nearly $95.8 million by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, further proof of the Association's commitment to the people of the state and Idaho's housing needs.

IHFA's outreach and investment efforts include mortgages and home ownership, rental housing, rental assistance, grant programs and information services in each of Idaho's six regions. The totals for North Idaho include:

Mortgage Loan Investment	$48,801,589
(572 loans issued to North Idaho Panhandle Region families at more than $85,000 each)
Idaho Personal Income	$31,063,184
(Derived from Mortgage Loan and Rental Assistance Activities)
Housing Tax Credits Allocated	$4,835,650
(10-year equity value of $3,626,738 in Tax Credits awarded to multifamily housing developers)
Grant Program Funds	$895,095
(Includes Emergency Shelter Grants, Supportive Housing Program and HOME program)
Rental Assistance	$10,200,198 and 3,338 families assisted
(Through Section 8 programs)

Outreach and investment for the North Idaho and Panhandle region in 2002 also includes 36 new rental units in Rathdrum and 160 home buyer education graduates. Statewide, the Finally Home!® home buyer education program graduated nearly 2,300 people last year, bringing the three-year total to more than 7,500 graduates. The program offers free classes in every large population center in the state, including North Idaho College in Post Falls and Community Action Partnership in Lewiston.

Another 2002 highlight, especially in light of the fiscal difficulties of the state and nation, was IHFA's financial investment in Idaho. Aided by very low interest rates-including some of the lowest in the Association's history-2,752 Idaho families bought a home with an IHFA loan in 2002. In total, IHFA invested more than $233 million in the state through mortgage loan activity, a 22 percent increase over 2001.

Outreach and investment activities for the North Idaho region and the entire state are summarized in IHFA's Regional Profile Report. The 2002 Regional Profile Report provides a summary of IHFA's involvement in housing issues around Idaho and offers a concise summary of the Association's program offerings. To obtain a copy, contact the Public Affairs Department at (208) 331-4884, e-mail about@ihfa.org or download the report at www.ihfa.org/about_regprofile.asp.