(BOISE) In the last two years, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association has assisted nonprofit entities across the state obtain over $10.8 million in lower-cost tax-exempt financing, including nearly $2 million to Friends of Children and Families Inc. (FCF) to refinance a number of Head Start centers in Ada and Elmore counties.

IHFA was granted the authority to issue 501(c)(3) bonds by the Idaho Legislature on July 1, 1997. Since then, the association has issued $42.5 million in nonprofit financings statewide.

Eight facilities serve 434 children in Glenns Ferry, Mountain Home, Boise, Meridian and Garden City. The Garden City facility, serving 75 kids, opened their doors for new classes last October. The Meridian Center was dedicated on Jan. 9. In recent years the Glenns Ferry, Mountain Home and Boise centers were each opened or improved through IHFA financing.

In the Garden City facility, academic curriculum is taught, along with health-services, including dental, developmental and disability screenings and referrals, says Executive Director Marc Swinney. An Early Head Start program also serves 44 children and families from pregnancy through age 3. The regular Head Start program serves children ages 4-5.

More than 900,000 children are served nationwide by 2,500 Head Start programs, which began in the early 1960s. Head Start provides services for 3,500 children in Idaho.

FCF has provided services in Garden City for over a decade. FCF recently signed a 50-year lease for space in Centennial Park. With assistance from IHFA and Wells Fargo, FCF was able to secure a 3.75 percent rate on the 9,100-square-foot building, which also provides space for meeting with families and an infant-toddler section.

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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.