Orlando, Fla. – Boise's Charitable Assistance to Community’s Homeless (CATCH) program has been recognized as a national model by the oldest and largest association of municipal governments in the United States.

Boise, Idaho, was one of eight cities selected to receive the prestigious Awards for Municipal Excellence at the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2008 Congress of Cities in Orlando, Fla.  As a Silver winner in the 150,001 – 500,000 population category, Boise is being honored for the CATCH program, a community-wide collaborative effort initiated and administrated by city government to address the burgeoning, complex problems of family homelessness.

“The CATCH program is successful because it emphasizes long term sustainability over quick fixes,” said Boise Mayor David Bieter.  “I’m glad to see this innovative program getting the national recognition it deserves.  It proves that great things can be accomplished through partnerships between cities, faith communities, businesses, and charitable organizations like the United Way.  In tough economic times like we are seeing now, these partnerships are even more vital.”

Other award-winning cities include Bristol, Va.; High Point, NC; South Sioux City, Neb.; Henderson, Nev.; West Covina, Calif.; San Jose, Calif.; and Denver, Colo.  Determination, personal commitment, outstanding collaboration and creativity were some of the hallmarks of these winning city programs.  As a Silver winner, Boise will receive a cash award of $1,000, which will be donated to the community non-profit organization of its choice.

“Boise has demonstrated its leadership and creativity and is being recognized as a Winner for the Awards for Municipal Excellence,” said Donald J. Borut, NLC’s executive director.  “The Charitable Assistance to Community’s Homeless – CATCH program is illustrative of the type of projects that are improving the lives of residents in cities and towns across the country.” 

The Awards for Municipal Excellence recognize cities that improve the quality of life in their communities.   The National League of Cities has partnered with CH2M HILL, engineering, construction and consulting firm, since the inception of this awards program in 1989.  Additional information about the Municipal Award program is available on NLC’s website, www.nlc.org.  For information on other innovative municipal programs, visit NLC’s City Practice Online Database.

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

For more information about the NLC's Awards for Municipal Excellence, contact Ann Swing Kelly at 202-626-3139.