Edson Awards celebrate Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments at the forefront of creating stronger, healthier communities in urban, suburban and rural areas nationwide
WASHINGTON – Today, the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition announced the winners of the 23rd Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards (Edson Awards) in Washington, D.C. at the Capitol Visitors Center.
Presented to the most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) properties in the country by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, the Edson Awards take place each year on Capitol Hill. The event brings together members of Congress, businesses and organizations to celebrate Housing Credit developments at the forefront of creating stronger, healthier communities in urban, suburban and rural areas nationwide.
The Housing Credit is America’s primary tool for creating and preserving affordable housing. Since it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, it has financed nearly all of the affordable rental homes in America, almost 3 million.
“Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions of this year’s Edson Awards,” said Anthony J. Alfieri, president of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. “Each year, the Edson Awards celebrate the Housing Credit’s ability to improve lives and strengthen communities across the country. This year’s winners illustrate the necessity of the Housing Credit and remind us why it must be strengthened and expanded to meet the growing need for affordable rental homes in America.”
This year a panel of four judges selected the following first-place winners and eight honorable mentions across eight categories for the highly competitive awards.
Senior Housing
Winner: Reynoldstown Senior Residences, Atlanta, GA
“Reynoldstown Senior is a great example of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit helping Georgia’s seniors age in place by combining critical services with affordable housing,” said U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, (R-GA). “I commend the public and private partners who joined together to provide for seniors in our community on receiving this well-deserved, national recognition.”
Special Needs Housing
Winner: The Arc Jacksonville Village, Jacksonville, FL
Honorable Mention: Lincoln Grant Scholar House, Covington, KY
U.S. Representative John Rutherford (R-FL-4) said, “This award recognizes the Arc Jacksonville’s ability to strengthen lives and provide a community for those with unique abilities. It is gratifying that this community has devoted their time and resources to promoting the importance of supported living programs while giving its residence the confidence and support to lead independent lives. Congratulations to Arc Jacksonville, Vestcor Development Corporation, Everbank, Raymond James Tax Credit Funds and all of the other partners involved on receiving this well-deserved, national recognition.”
Green Housing
Winner: Cabrillo Gateway, Long Beach, CA
Honorable Mention: Selma Community Housing, Los Angeles, CA
“Cabrillo Gateway is an amazing project that exemplifies the goal of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to bring together public and private partners to end homelessness, while at the same time offering environmental sustainability,” said U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal, (D-CA-47). “Congratulations to all of the partners who made Cabrillo Gateway possible and on this well-deserved recognition as one of the most outstanding affordable housing developments in the country.”
Public Housing
Winner: Gloria Robinson Court Homes IV, Jersey City, NJ
“Gloria Robinson Court Homes IV represents the power of well-designed public housing to revitalize entire communities,” said U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). “I am excited to see this final phase of development honored by the Edson Awards as one of the most outstanding affordable developments in the country. This is a testament to why we as a country need to invest more, rather than less, in affordable and sustainable places for people to call home.”
“Jersey City has taken great strides to address our affordable housing challenges,” said U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ-10). “Innovative developments like Gloria Robinson Court Homes IV should serve as a model for future initiatives as we work together to solve these challenges once and for all.”
HUD Preservation
Winner: The Bronaugh Apartments, Portland, OR
Honorable Mention: Livingston School Apartments, Albany, NY
“The Bronaugh Apartments are a prime example of how the low-income housing credit helps preserve affordable homes to Americans who need it the most,” said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “REACH did an outstanding job of leveraging the housing credit to attract public and private investments critical to ensuring that more Oregon families, seniors and veterans would have a roof over their head and be safe. Congratulations to all of the partners involved on this well-deserved national recognition.”
Veterans Housing
Winner: Blue Butterfly Village, Los Angeles, CA
Honorable Mention: Willow Housing, Menlo Park, CA; Chapin School Veteran Cooperative, Chicopee, MA
“Los Angeles is undertaking a concerted effort to help our veteran population which often struggles from homelessness and other issues,” said U.S. Representative, Ted Lieu, (D-CA-33). “Developments like the Blue Butterfly Village will be critical to ending our homelessness challenges and bringing quality homes to our city’s veterans and families. Congratulations to all of the partners involved for being honored by the Edson Awards as one of the most outstanding affordable developments in the country.”
Rural Housing
Winner: Sokaogon Supportive Services, Crandon, WI
Honorable Mention: James Leonard Apartments, Salisbury, MD
“Today I had the opportunity to meet with some of the leaders of Sokaogon Supportive Residences to personally congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, (D-WI). “Sokaogon Supportive Residences is a great example of how the Low Income Housing Tax Credit helps lift up Wisconsinites in our rural and tribal communities. All of the public and private partners involved should be proud of this great accomplishment.”
Metro/Urban Housing
Winner: Alta Mira Senior and Family Apartments, Hayward, CA
Honorable Mentions: Plaza Roberto Maestas, Seattle, WA; Renaissance Stout Street Lofts, Denver, CO
Given annually by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, The Edson Awards are named for Charles L. Edson, an affordable housing luminary who was Transition Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on President Carter’s Transition Staff. Mr. Edson served in the Office of the General Counsel at HUD and served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Housing and Development Reporter for nearly 40 years. He is a founding partner of the law firm Lane and Edson, and was later a partner of Nixon Peabody LLP.
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