You will see in the Annual Report the many awards and accomplishments that make us so proud. The staff has worked long and hard to expand the affordable housing opportunities in our community. Our Self-Help Program received recognition from U.S.D.A. Rural Development for leveraging 1.8 million dollars in new funds to increase the number of units built, and to enlarge the geographic areas served. The leveraged funding comes from Key Bank. Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development and the Kitsap County Department of Community Development. As a result, many more families are becoming homeowners in Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, and Clallam Counties.

Deborah Howard, our award-winning Director of Community services, has been acknowledged and challenged by the board with the Creation of Goal IV of our work plan. This will institutionalize our commitment to adding value to families' lives with service enhancements.

We are preparing for the new millen-nium by upgrading our technology including hardware, software, and accounting systems. We will be moving into a new modern office building on Bayshore Drive in the Summer of 1999, Consolidating our staff under one roof.