BOISE - The most well attended Idaho Governor's Conference on Housing ever ended this afternoon, with more than 500 people during the three-day event.

The conference, at the Boise Centre on the Grove, has been held every three years since 1994. The last conference, in 2000, attracted just over 440, the record attendance prior to this year.

With the theme "Navigating in Uncertain Times," the conference focused on the stabilizing influence of housing, brought together the many groups and individuals required to develop and manage affordable housing, examined current problems and issues, and developed workable strategies to address future housing concerns. Twenty-one workshops and four keynote addresses were held, as were speeches by Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne and Senator Mike Crapo. Keynote addresses also were conducted by CNN's "Crossfire" co-host Tucker Carlson, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Public & Indian Housing Michael Liu, Homeless to Harvard inspirational speaker Liz Murray, and HGTV's "Dream Builders" host Scott Morgan.

"Idaho Housing and Finance Association intends to continue bringing opportunities for collaboration like this conference to housing and community partners throughout Idaho," said IHFA President and Executive Director Gerald Hunter. "Housing has an astounding impact on the economy and everyday life."

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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.