The AHTCC’s 2023 Fall Meeting and Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards took place in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, October 25. The event featured remarks from members of Congress, including Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY). Throughout the day, the AHTCC also honored recipients of the 2023 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards (Edson Awards), which recognize outstanding affordable housing developments financed with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). The ten winning properties of the 2023 Edson Awards were recognized during the event, with seven additional members of Congress in attendance to present the awards.
During the event, the AHTCC also honored Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) with Affordable Housing Champion Awards for their leadership in advocating for affordable housing in Congress, designated the 2023 David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award to Aloysius Stonitsch for his exemplary service to the affordable housing industry, and held timely panels on issues impacting the Housing Credit. Learn more about the event below.
Remarks from AHCIA of 2023 Lead Sponsors
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY)
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) of 2023 lead sponsors Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) addressed 2023 Fall Meeting and Edson Awards attendees.
Affordable Housing Champion Honorees
Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) were recognized with 2023 Affordable Housing Champion Awards. Both members attended in person to accept their awards and provide remarks during the event.
Edson Award Presentations
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) presented Wendy Carty-Saxon of Avalon Nonprofit Housing Corporation (left) and Mark Erwin of Ruth Ellis Center (right) with 2023 Edson Awards for Hilltop View Apartments and Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) presented Christianne Brunini of Knight Development with the 2023 Edson Award for Mississippi Region VI RAD, LP.
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) presented Sky Waters of Native American Youth and Family Center and Kyle Paine of Community Development Partners with the 2023 Edson Award for Mamook Tokatee.
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) presented Chris Laurent of Cinnaire Corporation with the 2023 Edson Award for The Meadows.
Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) presented Cory Fellows of Preservation of Affordable Housing with the 2023 Edson Award for The Loop at Mattapan Station.
Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) presented Charles Adams of Pennrose with the 2023 Edson Award for Mary D. Stone Apartments.
Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) presented Joshua Wilmoth of Full Circle Communities with the 2023 Edson Award for Ruth Ellis Clarimount Center.
Panel Discussions

Congressional Staff Panel – Committee Offices

Congressional Staff Panel – AHCIA Lead Offices
Discussions with key staff representing congressional leadership offices and AHCIA lead sponsors were moderated by Emily Cadik, AHTCC Chief Executive Officer.
The Congressional Committee Offices panel (top) included Kathryn Chakmak, Office of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO); Alice Lin, Office of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR); and Kate Lindsey, Office of Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID).
The AHCIA Lead Offices panel (bottom) included John Draxler, Office of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Clancy Lyles, Office of Sen. Todd Young (R-IN); Jack Boyd, Office of Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN); Victoria Honard, Office of Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA); Mark Dennin, Office of Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA); and Greg Warren, Office of Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL).

The Insurance Costs and Affordable Housing panel was moderated by Thom Amdur, Lincoln Avenue Communities, with panelists Kevin Donnelly, National Multifamily Housing Council; and Denisa Muha, National Leased Housing Association.

The State Tax Credits Roundtable was moderated by Chris Hite, Sugar Creek Capital, with panelists Mark Shelburne, Novogradac & Company LLP; Ruth Sorrell, Polsinelli; Lou Bosso, Hunt Capital Partners; Ruby Dhillon-Williams, Arizona Department of Housing; and Kris Switzer, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance.

The Administration Issues Impacting the Housing Credit panel was moderated by Matt Josephs, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, with panelists Michael Novogradac, Novogradac & Company LLP; Ethan Handelman, HUD; Marcea Barringer, Federal Housing Finance Agency; Joaquin Altoro, Department of Agriculture; and Chad Maisel, White House Domestic Policy Council.

The Housing Credit Equity Market Update was moderated by Ryan Sfreddo, Red Stone Equity Partners and AHTCC Board President, with panelists Jennifer Seamons, AETNA/CVS Health; Julie Sharp, Merchants Capital; Dudley Benoit, Alliant Capital; Desiree Francis, Capital One; and Nancy Amstadt, RBC Capital Markets.
Remarks from Barry Wides
Barry Wides, Deputy Comptroller, Community Affairs at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, joined the 2023 Fall Meeting and Edson Awards to discuss the recently released Community Reinvestment Act regulations.
2023 David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Al Stonitsch
The David L. Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award was designated to Al Stonitsch for outstanding contributions to the affordable housing community. Al accepted the award during the 2023 Fall Meeting and Edson Awards.
Remarks from Charles L. Edson
Charles L. Edson, an affordable housing luminary and namesake of the Tax Credit Excellence Awards, provided remarks for the 29th annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards.
Congressional Meetings on October 26, 2023
As part of the 2023 Fall Meeting, the AHTCC coordinated congressional meetings for over 80 participants with nearly 50 congressional offices. Thank you to everyone who participated in congressional meetings and contributed to our advocacy efforts.
- John Nunnery, PNC Bank; Lorraine Kindred, National Community Renaissance; Katie Balderrama, Walker & Dunlop; and Thom Amdur, Lincoln Avenue Communities met with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) (center)
- Charles Adams, Pennrose; Dana Hanchin, HDC MidAtlantic; Selia Koss, AHTCC; and Stacie Nekus, KeyBank advocated on the Pennsylvania team
- Ryan Ebner, Michelle D’Souza, and Scott Umosella, CohnReznick LLP; Gary Howe, Aegon; and Tolu Akintoba, Housing Partnership Network advocated on the Virginia team
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