A quick rundown of Idaho's share of housing relief

Idaho's share of federal cash from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 could top $140 million. Here's a preliminary estimate about how the state's money could be divvied up.

- $100 million will likely allow the Idaho Housing and Finance Association to finance long-term, fixed rate mortgages for an additional 750 low- and moderate-income borrowers. And eligible households facing financial hardship with adjustable-rate mortgages made after Dec. 31, 2001 but before Jan. 1, 2008 may be able to refinance into a fixed mortgage.

- Idaho could get between $20 million and $38 million in "neighborhood stabilization funding" to establish financing mechanisms to purchase and redevelop foreclosed homes or demolish blighted structures in neighborhoods hardest hit by the subprime crunch.

- IHFA will get $143,000 to expand foreclosure and housing counseling services.

- Idaho's share of a "Housing Trust Fund" will be a minimum of $3 million to grants to produce, preserve, and rehabilitate rental housing or housing for homeownership.

- And first-time homebuyers between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 will get a credit equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of a principal residence, not to exceed $7,500. Taxpayers receiving the credit must repay it over 15 years through a surcharge on their annual income taxes.

- IHFA's toll free number for housing counseling is 1-877-888-3135.

On the Net:

Idaho Housing and Finance Association http://www.ihfa.org