BOISE - Idahoans are encouraged to comment on two statewide housing and community development plans - the Five-Year Strategic Plan for Housing and Community Development and the 2005 Annual Action Plan - which will help determine the use of approximately $86 million in federal investments during the five-year period beginning April 1, 2005.

The plans are developed by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association and the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor. IHFA and IDCL administer federal housing and community development funds in Idaho communities with populations less than 50,000.

IHFA administers federal HOME and Emergency Shelter Grant funds that support affordable housing and emergency shelter options, while IDCL distributes Idaho Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) funds to support a range of community and economic development projects.

HUD requires states and entitlement communities to submit a consolidated plan that identifies needs and prescribes strategies and actions to address those needs. Eligible activities include construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing, community infrastructure, public facilities and other resources that benefit communities and their low- to moderate-income residents.

"Our proposed strategies reflect significant public input from our 2004 Needs Assessment survey and open houses," said IHFA's Julie Williams, vice president of Community Housing Services. "We received over 450 completed surveys and several hundred comments during this preliminary phase." Besides an on-line survey, IHFA and IDCL hosted a dozen regional open houses to discuss local needs and priorities prior to developing overall goals and strategies for the state. The current comment period applies to the draft planning documents.

From a survey question listing basic housing requirements, housing affordability was ranked as the top priority, as housing costs consistently outpace wages in every Idaho county. Other urgent needs included increased housing options for seniors and emergency shelter resources for victims of domestic violence. Housing stakeholders also noted that record consumer debt and poor credit represent growing barriers to securing decent rental housing.

The plans support a wide range of public facility and business expansion projects, according to Cliff Long, administrator of Idaho's Community and Rural Development Division.

"Part of our mission is to help communities construct senior and community centers, along with the infrastructure - roads, sidewalks, sewer and water systems - necessary for business development and job creation," said Long. "Recent examples include Jayco's expansion into Twin Falls and Keifer Built's new Gooding operation. Collectively, both projects will add more than 150 jobs to the Magic Valley economy."

Public open houses to discuss the plans are scheduled in the following locations: Twin Falls-January 14; Lewiston-January 20; Coeur d'Alene-January 21; Pocatello-January 27; Idaho Falls-January 28; and Boise-February 8.

The two draft plans, along with the needs assessment survey results and public hearing details can be accessed via the Web at www.ihfa.org listed under "What's New" or at community.idaho.gov under "Grants, Training & Technical Assistance." Additional background material is also provided to further describe the planning process, eligible activities and timelines.

For additional information or to comment on the plans, send an e-mail to hirc@ihfa.org or contact Project Coordinator Erik Kingston toll-free at 1-877-438-4472 /TDD 1-800-545-1833 or by mail at P.O. Box 7899 Boise, ID 83707-1899.

###

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing business organization, provides funding for affordable housing in communities where it is most needed and when economically feasible.