Recognizing the excellence of agencies in the affordable housing industry

2024 Development Award

Large Agency
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
One University, Fairfax, VA
An innovative housing site adjacent to George Mason University combines affordable multifamily units, senior units, and student housing in separate buildings. Fairfax County Housing Authority's One University quintupled the amount of housing previously onsite and brings in revenue from the university for affordable housing.

Small Agency
Albany Housing Authority
Steamboat Square Revitalization, Albany, NY
During the rehabilitation of a historic high-rise, Albany Housing Authority brought environmental justice to their community with enhanced energy efficiency, noise mitigation, abatement of hazardous materials, Energy Recovery Ventilation for fresh air, and a radon mitigation system, in addition to increased unit sizes.

2024 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
Worcester Housing Authority
Food Program
With a collection of initiatives that combat food insecurity, Worcester Housing Authority created a robust Food Program. Services include delivery of shelf-stable meals and food pantry bags to more than 1,00 families each month, emergency deliveries, a free community fridge, onsite farmers markets, and four community gardens.

Small Agency
Rock Hill Housing Authority
Jobs Plus Program
A holistic approach to professional support made Rock Hill Housing Authority's Jobs Plus Program truly outstanding. Leveraging a broad array of partnerships, RHHA offers a variety of training, placement, counseling, mental health, and professional development services, as well as childcare and transportation, to address common obstacles to stable employment.

Honorable Mention
Lakewood Housing Authority
HCV First-Time Homeownership Program
Lakewood Housing Authority updated their homeownership program policy with practical, thoughtful changes to employment requirements, based on residents' needs. Combined with a well-run program, the policy changes allowed more residents to participate and succeed in buying their first home.

2023 Development Award

Large Agency
Corpus Christi Housing Authority and Affiliates
Thanksgiving Homes, Corpus Christi, TX
Thanksgiving Homes filled a niche in their community for new, single-family homes at affordable prices. Corpus Christi Housing Authority's Small Builders Program supported the construction of new houses across the city's neighborhoods, bringing renters and buyers closer to work, school, and opportunities.

Small Agency
Foothills Regional Housing
AVi at Olde Town, Jefferson County, CO
Foothills Regional Housing established a transit-oriented, service-enriched LIHTC community in a high-opportunity area, with some units subsidized specially for emancipated foster youth and unhoused veterans. The infill development project replaced a blighted 37-unit property with a revitalized 100-unit site incorporating a job training room and other amenities.

2023 Resident Service Award

Large Agency I 
Knoxville's Community Development Corporation
Matter Health Partnership
Through a partnership with Nashville-based startup Matter Health, Knoxville's Community Development Corporation brought primary care health services almost to resident doorsteps. At each of four KCDC high-rises for elderly and disability residents, an onsite center in the building's lobby offers everything a primary care doctor would offer, as well as mental health services and help signing up for Medicare or Medicaid.

Large Agency II
Richmond RHA
Youth Leadership and Employment Academy (YLEA)
The Youth Leadership and Employment Academy provides opportunities for youth ages 8-22 living in public and assisted housing. Richmond RHA's comprehensive program offers summer enrichment, leadership, and employment, supporting youth participants' educational development and college-related goals.

Small Agency
Medford Housing Authority
Artepreneurs Youth Program (AYP)
Creativity, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, and leadership—young Medford Housing Authority residents explore all four through the Artepreneurs Youth Program. Participants aged 7-12 make art from upcycled donation items, then hold a sale. The youth learn budgeting, pricing strategies, marketing, and sales techniques in preparation.

2022 Development Award

Small Agency I
East Central Development Corporation
Bear River Cottages Pocket Neighborhood, Maquoketa, IA
As Eastern Iowa faced widespread demand for quality affordable housing, East Central Development Corporation, the nonprofit affiliate of Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, constructed the first pocket neighborhood in the area. The ten single-family homes targeted buyers making 80% of the County Median Income.

Small Agency II
Alameda Housing Authority
Rosefield Village, Alameda, CA
The Rosefield Village housing complex was an ambitious project that doubled the number of affordable homes formerly on the site. Serving a mixed-income community of families, Rosevield Village was designed with community in mind, just a half-mile from local schools, less than half a block from public transit, and central to the job market in a variety of fields.

2022 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
Providence Housing Authority
Wellness Resource Center
Established in response to the opioid crisis, the Wellness Resource Center was designed to overcome the reluctance to discuss substance use and behavioral health with housing providers. Providence Housing Authority adopted a holistic approach, addressing these challenges through the lens of wellness and leading up to needs assessments, treatment referrals, and case management.

Small Agency
Housing Authority of Covington
Summer Programs
The Housing Authority of Covington's summer programs for youth and adults helped households advance personal and professional goals and break the cycle of generational poverty. HAC’s youth programs gave young residents an opportunity to thrive in school and at work, and programs for adults helped families improve their futures.

2021 Development Award

Large Agency
Glendower Group for Housing Authority of the City of New Haven
Mill River Crossing
Glendower did more than develop a below-standard, financially unsustainable, 1940s-era housing complex into a lovely Rental Assistance Demonstration, tax credit development. They also brainstormed neighborhood improvement options with residents, public agencies, and local businesses. The new development offers an impressive array of social services onsite.

Small Agency
Trinity Financial
Courthouse Lofts
By rehabilitating the Worcester Courthouse, built in 1845, Trinity Financial both preserved a piece of local history and created a modern, affordable living option for the city's diverse population. Their Courthouse Loft apartments retain the classic architecture of the old courthouse alongside new amenities.

2021 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Partnership with HCGC
To help residents navigate government and community resources, CMHA initiated a partnership with Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus. HCGC's Community Health Workers became advocates and coaches to residents from 14,000 households, helping them identify their needs and move toward self-sufficiency.

Small Agency
East Baton Rouge Housing Authority
Beds for Babies/Beds for Kids
Based on feedback from their maintenance crew, EBRHA saw a pressing need among families whose children didn't have their own beds. The agency stepped up to engage their community and provide 50 kids' beds, 18 cribs, and health and safety training for parents, paving the way for long-lasting effects on children's success.

2019 Development Award

Large Agency
Fort Wayne Housing Authority
Posterity Scholar House
To set up residents for a better future, FWHA focused on educational opportunities. They offer courses on gardening, early childhood and human services training, college readiness, and other subjects. Their self-sufficiency initiative also added safety measures like security cameras and peepholes to homes.

Small Agency
Rutland Housing Authority
Hickory Street Phase 3
RHA rebuilt a neighborhood into a strong mixed-income community. They designed every unit to be energy-efficient and set up a nearby center for programs like a garden, health and education opportunities, and a preschool.

2019 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
Metropolitan Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Homeless Action Team (HAT)
Metro HRA’s Homeless Action team served the dual purpose of helping the unsheltered into housing and clearing up the local transit system. They partnered with their police department to give vouchers to the homeless and help them transition into homes.

Small Agency
New Albany Housing Authority
Job Club and Lunches with Bosses
NAHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency initiative helped individuals find employment. Their weekly Job Club offered support and coaching, as well as tools for job searching, resume creation, and interview practice. The housing authority also provided rides to and from job interviews and hosted monthly “Lunches with Bosses” at which local employers would speak, collect applications, and conduct initial interviews.

2018 Development Award

Large Agency
San Diego Housing Commission
Housing First
With this program, SDHC exceeded its three-year goal of creating 3,000 housing opportunities for homeless residents in just 18 months by means of a highly successful landlord engagement and assistance program, military veteran initiative, and more.

Small Agency
Housing Authority of the City of Napa
Valley View Senior Homes
HACN developed a new affordable housing project just for low- and very low-income seniors age 55+. The first of its kind in Napa, Valley View includes apartments and cottages designed to blend in with the neighborhood, along with free internet, weekly social events, a clubhouse, a bocce ball court, and a community garden.

2018 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
Philadelphia Housing Authority
PhillySEEDS
PHA formed a nonprofit affiliate to raise funds and develop resident programs by means the agency itself couldn’t leverage. Through a range of philanthropic sources, PhillySEEDS was able to provide scholarships, help PHA families to homeownership, and invest in residents’ entrepreneurial endeavors.

Large Agency
Worcester Housing Authority
Step-Up Apprenticeship Program
WHA identified the root causes of unemployment for tenants and responded with a program providing technical curriculum and on-the-job training to residents. Step-Up offers four disciplines: apartment prep, landscaping, custodial work, and administrative assignments.

Small Agency
Central Falls Housing Authority
Bringing Generations Together
To address concerns about senior isolation, CFHA formed an intergenerational program. Teens paired with seniors for snow removal, farmer’s market outings, healthy cooking, crafts, storytelling, and other culturally rich and diverse activities.

Honorable Mention
Housing Authority of Cook County
Forest Preserve Experience
During HACC’s 5-week summer program, high-school-aged HCV and PH residents worked on conservation and restoration projects for a paycheck (often their first), learned about the environment, and enjoyed outdoor recreation like canoeing and hiking, with classes in money management and other supplementary activities made available at a local community college.

2017 Development Award

Large Agency
Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino
Valencia Grove
The County of San Bernardino’s first public housing site was long overdue for major renovations. HACSB revitalized the property, transitioning to a mixed-use community (eventually to include homeownership) with a multi-use educational and recreational facility.

Small Agency
Nevada Rural Housing Authority
Richards Crossing
To serve high-need communities, NRHA constructed a unique affordable housing development specifically for homeless and extremely low-income individuals, with units reserved for chronically homeless veterans. The facility provided job training, life skills coaching, and related support to help tenants move toward self-sufficiency.

Honorable Mention
Fresno
Legacy Commons
Fresno’s goal was to provide truly high-quality affordable housing. Their innovative community includes 128 one- to four-bedroom apartments, as well as a multipurpose room, kitchen, recording studio, fitness center, play structures, and swimming pool.

2017 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
New York City Housing Authority
Food Business Pathways
NYCHA wanted to expand access to economic opportunities. They collaborated on a full-scale business career accelerator that empowered residents to start and grow restaurants, commercial kitchens, and similar endeavors.

Large Agency
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority
M.O.V.E.
To increase the chances of residents and HCV participants becoming economically self-sufficient, CMCHA developed M.O.V.E.—Motivate, Opportunity, Vision, Empowerment—to provide employment, job training, educational opportunities, and support services.

Small Agency
Broward County Housing Authority
Summer BreakSpot Mobile Program
BCHA addressed food insecurity in child and teen populations. Their summer program provided nutritious lunches and snacks to minors, along with nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, a literacy program, physical fitness, personal enrichment workshops, and fun activities.

2016 Development Award

Large Agency
Indianapolis Housing Agency
Barton Block
IHA was under pressure to close and sell one of its largest and oldest public housing communities, which was in a newly popular urban neighborhood. Instead, the agency reinvested in the tower and unused land to create public open space, affordable housing, and room for new businesses.

Small Agency
Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing
Rockford Veterans Drop-In Center
When the Veterans Drop-In Center lost its site, WCHA obtained a special zoning use permit and rehabilitated a recently acquired old home into a like-new space. Complete with energy-efficient appliances, the rehabbed building was located next to public transport and near essential businesses as well as restaurants.

2016 Resident Service Award

Large Agency
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
Conversation Over Pizza
To help residents address the societal challenges they faced in their community, CMHA created a platform for productive dialogue. In focus groups facilitated by the housing authority, law enforcement, and other partners, residents discussed and developed viable solutions for reducing local crime and violence.

Small Agency
Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority
Full Circle Wrenching Crew
LDCHA’s year-round bicycling program provided a positive, structured environment to youth residents. The extracurricular activity empowered youth to develop new skills, responsibility, leadership, cooperation, and volunteerism.