GOVERNOR KEMPTHORNE PROCLAIMS JUNE HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH

BOISE - Calling homeownership a key feature of the American way of life, Governor Dirk Kempthorne proclaimed
June Homeownership Month in Idaho and called on the real estate, finance and housing industries to continue to
work toward making the American Dream a reality for more people.

June is National Homeownership month - a month-long educational outreach effort designed to provide important homebuying information and financial tools, particularly to minority families. The Census reports that Idaho's homeownership rate is 72.4 percent, considerably above the national average and one of the highest in the
country. However, minority homeownership rates nationally still fall well short of the national homeownership rate
of nearly 70 percent.

"Owning a home is still the best opportunity for most people to build wealth and provide stability for their families," said HUD Field Office Director Connie Hogland. "Working with the state of Idaho our goal is to increase already
historic homeownership rates and open even more doors for those who want to share in our American Dream."

In the proclamation, Governor Kempthorne stated home ownership has encouraged thousands of Idahoans to save
and invest, to take pride in their neighborhoods and to take an active, responsible role in the life of their
communities.

Recently, HUD announced more than $600,000 in funding to help lower income residents in Idaho purchase their
first home. Provided under HUD's American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI), the funding will enable many
first-time homebuyers earning less than 80 percent of their community's median income to purchase their first
home. This new federal program will give first-time homebuyers grants worth up to $10,000.

If you are interested in obtaining downpayment assistance through this program, and plan to purchase a home
inside the city limits of Boise, you should call the City of Boise at (208) 384-4158, X106. For all home purchases outside of Boise, you may contact any of the participating lenders in your area listed at www.ihfa.org that offer
the standard Idaho Housing and Finance Association Downpayment Assistance Grant Program.

HUD's other programs to help first-time homebuyers include low-downpayment FHA insured home loans, homeownership voucher programs offered through local Housing Authorities and the opportunity to purchase HUD homes. HUD's FHA program has helped 1268 first-time homebuyers in Idaho so far this year.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

###