ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – September 29, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) today honored eight organizations with the Excellence in Housing Awards in recognition of their outstanding work in housing development. The award ceremony took place at the 2010 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Community Development at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
“Governor Christie joins me in congratulating the winners of this year’s Excellence in Housing Awards and commending them for their innovation in the field of affordable housing,” said DCA Commissioner Lori Grifa. “New Jersey is making progress in providing homes and apartments that people can afford, in large part, because of the efforts of these award recipients and others like them.”
Every year, the Excellence in Housing Awards recognizes individuals and organizations who meet state needs and current housing goals. This year’s award recipients were honored for outstanding housing development in the areas of best supportive/affordable housing, superior design, creative partnership and neighborhood revitalization.
“The ability to construct housing is difficult in this economic climate. The recipients of the Excellence in Housing Awards truly exemplify their dedication to developing sustainable affordable housing across the state,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony Marchetta.
Six award categories were selected that best reflect New Jersey’s current housing needs:
Best of Housing – Housing development that is innovative in its concept and design and exceptional in meeting the needs of the targeted client population.
Best of Supportive Housing – Recognizes achievement in the creation of supported housing serving special needs populations that strengthen the fabric of the local community. Should demonstrate design excellence and successful programs to assist tenants to move towards independence and self-sufficiency.
Best of Superior Design – Recognizes outstanding design in affordable housing units or developments. Developments or housing units should exemplify quality design that is compatible with the surrounding natural or built environment and is in keeping with quality growth principles.
Best Creative Partnership – Honors the achievement of organizations partnering together to develop programs or services that promote or expand access to affordable housing and innovations in which multiple organizations create working arrangements that could become partnership models for others in the state.
Best Neighborhood Revitalization – Recognizes achievement in neighborhood revitalization or community redevelopment and demonstrates the potential to have a lasting impact on the community.
Finally, a Special Achievement Award was conferred to the project that best exemplifies this year’s conference theme, “Opening Doors.”
Click here for a complete list of the 2010 Award Recipients.
The annual Governor’s Conference on Housing and Community Development is sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, a DCA affiliate. For further information about the conference, please call (609) 278-7400, or log on to www.nj-hmfa.com.
