Thirty-four inspiring developments have been selected as finalists in affordable housing finance's 10th annual Readers' Choice Awards competition this year.
These projects rose to the top, chosen from 132 nominations that came in from across the country. They were selected based on their innovativeness, community impact, creative problem solving, and other criteria.
They range from a distinctive modular construction project in Los Angeles that serves the formerly homeless to an old St. Paul, Minn., brewery reimagined into affordable housing. There are rural deals and urban ones. In several cases, developers teamed with a local church or a Veterans Affairs campus to make their projects a reality.
Located in 14 states, the finalists are home to low-income families, seniors, veterans, artists, and the formerly homeless.
Read about each finalist below.
The winning developments will be announced on our website in September and honored at AHF Live: The 2014 Affordable Housing Developers Summit, Nov. 19–21, at the Fairmont Millennium Park in Chicago.
Family Finalists
Avocado Court Mixes Family, Vets Housing
The Escondido development also celebrates the area's agricultural heritage with an orchard and a community garden.
LA Project Provides Affordable Housing, New Child Care Center
Caroline Severance Manor serves families, chronically homeless, and individuals with mental illnesses.
Greystones Fill 13 Empty Lots in Des Moines
Modeled after the unique Chicago style of architecture, the single-family homes are narrow and long to maximize land use.
Church Sells Land for Orange Development
The project provides larger units and an array of services for low-income families.
Green Finalists
Affordable Housing, Technology Connect in Silicon Valley
Franklin Street Family Apartments features state-of-the-art solar and energy-efficient systems as well as free Wi-Fi to all residents.
Seniors Find Energy-Efficient Homes in New Orleans
Heritage Seniors Residences is the final housing phase for Columbia Parc at the Bayou District.
San Diego Project Brightens Neighborhood
The LEED Platinum Kalos maxes out roof space with solar hot-water system and photovoltaics that offset electric use.
Nonprofit Provides Housing in Heart of Wine Country
Sonoma project features virtual net metering and a greywater system.
Historic Rehab Finalists
Historic Mall Blooms into Apartments
The nation's first indoor mall has been converted into 30 affordable apartments in Tallulah, La.
Historic L.A. Hotel Becomes Affordable Seniors Housing
The Dunbar Hotel, where jazz greats once performed, is back for an encore as affordable housing.
Famed Brewery Becomes Affordable Artist Lofts
An iconic brewery has been transformed into artist lofts in St. Paul, Minn.
Iowa Hotel Gets New Lease on Life
A former hotel in Marshalltown, Iowa, has received a floor-to-ceiling renovation to become affordable apartments.
Master-Planned/Mixed-Use Finalists
Development Serves up Housing, Fresh Food in New Orleans
Historic buildings have been transformed into 52 moderate-income units and a business that delivers nutritious meals to area schools.
Former Segregated Public Housing Project Starts New Chapter
Gorman & Co. teams with local groups to transform the Escobedo public housing project in Mesa, Ariz., into a diverse community asset.
POAH Undertakes Chicago Neighborhood Revitalization
With the help of a Choice Neighborhoods grant, the nonprofit is replacing Grove Parc Plaza Apartments with mixed-income housing.
Preservation Finalists
The Arlington Rebounds to House the Homeless
Mercy Housing California has taken a building that was physically and financially in trouble and put it back on track.
A Major N.Y. Housing Development Bounces Back
New owners have revived a community that was suffering from years of distress and damage from Hurricane Sandy.
Bond Deal Preserves 44 Properties in Georgia
One large transaction is revitalizing nearly 1,400 affordable housing units across Georgia.
Historic Pullman Wheelworks Undergoes Transformation
The landmark Chicago building has been renovated and preserved as affordable housing for its 450 residents for decades to come.
Rural Finalists
Illinois Development an Alternative to Nursing-Home Care
Heritage Woods of Freeport provides affordable housing with intensive services for seniors.
Mixed-Income Housing Brings Energy to Riverfront
The Indiana development includes seniors housing and retail along the banks of the Ohio River.
Seniors Finalists
Housing and Service Come Together on a Seniors Campus
Coastside Senior Housing puts its elderly residents within footsteps of extensive services.
Homeless Seniors, Vets Find New Home in Seattle
Named after the jazz legend, Ernestine Anderson Place focuses on housing some of the city's frequent users of ERs and jails.
Development Combines Seniors Housing and Fire Station
Affordable seniors housing and a fire station are co-located at Lincoln Towers in Wilmington, Del.
Affordable Seniors Housing Comes to Perris, Calif.
The LEED Gold development is located across the street from a senior center, which provides activities, services, and daily lunches.
Special-Needs Finalists
Troubled Chicago Hotel Transforms Into Supportive Housing
Buffett Place serves people with disabilities and mental illness who are at risk of homelessness.
First Permanent Supportive Housing for Vets Opens in Indianapolis
A long-vacant foundry has been transformed into a new housing development for formerly homeless veterans.
Built for Wellness
Rising Cedar Apartments pioneers a new affordable housing model for people with serious and persistent mental illness.
Star Apartments Shine Bright
The Los Angeles development is unique for its prefabricated modular design and its push to link housing and health services.
Valley Brook Village Brings Housing to VA Campus
Veterans ranging in age from 27 to 92 have found a home at Valley Brook Village in Lyons, N.J.
Urban Finalists
Development Helps to Meet Arlington's Housing Need
Nonprofit pioneers use of public land for housing to significantly lower project costs.
Developer Teams with Church on Housing Project
Gracie's Village in Tempe, Ariz., includes 50 units of housing, a new thrift store, and job training opportunities.
Housing Helps to Revitalize Philadelphia Neighborhood
Thanks to NSP2 funds, Nicetown Court II is providing 50 units of affordable housing and commercial space for local businesses.
Nonprofit Breathes New Life into Old Hotels
The Savoy in Oakland, Calif., provides 101 studios for very low-income and formerly homeless individuals.
