Developments in nine states have captured this year’s Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards, which recognizes outstanding affordable housing properties that have demonstrated impactful use of the low-income housing tax credit.
Presented annually by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC), the Edson Awards honor developments that strengthen communities, improve resident opportunities, and support economies in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the country. This year, the awards coincide with Congress’ consideration of legislation that would make major investments in the nation’s housing infrastructure.
“Affordable homes developed with the housing credit prove that an effective solution exists for the housing crisis that continues to impact communities and families nationwide,” said AHTCC executive director Emily Cadik. “This year, we are awarding properties serving veterans, individuals suffering from opioid addiction, and low-income senior citizens, in addition to outstanding affordable housing preservation efforts and new construction built to meet the needs of surrounding communities. These are just a few examples of what the housing credit achieves every day to provide much-needed affordable housing.”
Since 1986, the LIHTC program has financed more than 3 million homes for low-income households, including formerly homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, veterans, and senior citizens. Through public-private partnerships, the housing credit offers a proven track record of financing safe, modern, and well-designed affordable homes in communities where they are needed most.
“The Edson Award winners this year demonstrate the flexibility of the housing credit to meet the needs of households and communities from Eagle River, Alaska, to Wichita Falls, Texas, to Milwaukee,” said Matt Josephs, AHTCC board president and senior vice president for policy for the Local Initiatives Support Corp. “As we continue to confront the impact of the pandemic, it is vital that tools like the housing credit are enhanced and strengthened, so that we can better address our national housing crisis that grows more urgent by the day.”
The 2021 awardees are:
Rural
Southgate in Scarborough, Maine
Avesta Housing
Small Metropolitan
Coronado Park II/Qintali View in Eagle River, Alaska
Cook Inlet Housing Authority
Large Metropolitan
Woodlawn Station in Chicago
Preservation of Affordable Housing
Veterans
Milwaukee Soldiers Home in Milwaukee
The Alexander Co.
and
Renaissance Veterans Apartments at Fitzsimons in Aurora, Colorado
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Seniors
The Livingston in Columbus, Ohio
Woda Cooper Cos., Gertrude Wood Community Foundation, and LifeCare Alliance
Special Needs
Andy’s Place in Jackson, Michigan
Milner and Caringella and Community Action Agency of Jackson
HUD Housing Preservation
Lyman Terrace in Holyoke, Massachusetts
The Community Builders
Historic Preservation
The Residence at Lamar in Wichita Falls, Texas
Overland Property Group
For more information about the 2021 Edson Award winners, visit: https://www.taxcreditcoalition.org/edson-awards/
