BOISE - Governor Dirk Kempthorne kicked off the 2003 Idaho Governor's Conference on Housing today with a luncheon welcome.

"By providing housing opportunities, we allow each generation to live better than the last," said Kempthorne. "Housing is vital to health and well being. Educational opportunities for our children, crime prevention, economic development--all are enhanced by the availability of adequate housing choices."

The conference's goal is to focus on the stabilizing influence of housing, to bring together the many groups and individuals required to develop and manage affordable housing, to examine current challenges and issues, and to develop strategies to address future housing concerns.

Tuesday's agenda features workshops in each of four main tracks: banking/lending, builders/developers, real estate ownership & sales, and public sector. Sessions include financial literacy, minority lending, legislative forecasts, investor/developer relationships, home buyer education, building codes, manufactured housing and HUD.

Also on Tuesday, HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Michael Liu and national inspirational speaker Liz Murray (Homeless to Harvard: An Inspirational Journey), will both conduct keynote addresses.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Reporters are invited and encouraged to attend any of the keynote addresses or workshops. Complimentary passes for all conference activities are available by contacting Reed Hollinshead at 208-331-4858.

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.