Readers' Choice Awards FAQs

Q: Does a nominated project have to be financed with low-income housing tax credits?

A: No. There is no restriction on the funding sources used for a project.

Q: Is there a limit on what may be submitted in an application?

A: No. First, there is no word limit when answering the questions in the nomination form. Second, the nomination form, a detailed list of the project’s sources and uses of funds, and photos or renderings are the minimum of what should be submitted. Applicants are not required to but may include press clippings, market study summaries, historical background, letters of support, etc. We recommend you make your package as complete as possible.

Q: Is there an application fee?

A: No. Some things are still free.  
Q: May an application be sent by e-mail?

A: Well, OK, but it’s at your own risk. Large files, say over 8 MB, might get caught in the e-mail system and never make it to us. If you do e-mail your application, you should call and confirm that we received your materials. 

Q: May I nominate more than one project?

A: Yes, as long as the developments meet the criteria of having been completed in 2012 or will be completed in 2013.

Q: May I nominate a development that was nominated last year?

A: Yes, as long as it was not a finalist or a winner.

Q: My project can compete in more than one category, which should I choose?

A: It’s a tough choice, we know. Try to pick the category that best captures the spirit of your development. For example, are the green features the most distinguishing factor, or is it unique because it serves a special-needs population or is it notable because it is in a rural community that’s had little affordable housing?

Q: What is the deadline for submitting entries?

A: March 29, 2013

Q: Where do I send entries?

A: Via mail: Donna Kimura, Deputy Editor
3160 Bonifacio St.
Concord, CA 94519

[email protected]

 

If you have done an outstanding project, we want to hear about it. Affordable Housing Finance is searching for the best affordable housing projects in the nation that were completed in 2012 or will be completed in 2013.

The ninth annual Readers' Choice Awards will honor the top developments in nine different categories.

• Family (more than 50 percent of the units are for families) • Green
• Historic Rehab
• Master-Planned/Mixed-Use
• Preservation of Assisted Housing
• Seniors
• Special-Needs/SRO
• Rural (in a place with fewer than 25,000 inhabitants)
• Urban

All questions on the nomination form must be completed, and you must submit a detailed list of the project’s sources and uses of funds as well as photos or renderings. You are encouraged to answer the questions as thoroughly as possible. You may attach additional pages and information for your nomination. The deadline is March 29, 2013.

The finalists will be selected by the editors of AHF. We will select finalists based on our assessment of these project characteristics: • Impact on the community by adding substantially to the affordable housing stock or improving the immediate social or economic fabric;
• Role in overall community revitalization or social change;
• Sets a new standard or pioneers a new method (taps new funding sources; demonstrates new efficiency in capital costs and/or maintenance/operating costs, etc.);
• Employs cost-effective or innovative design and/or construction, including energy efficiency and sustainable development;
• Offers outstanding social services for tenants;
• Received broad community support, including state and local government financial assistance;
• Addresses a unique challenge;
• Demonstrates creative problem-solving; and
• Evidence of cost-effectiveness, i.e., producing housing at substantially below-market rents or home prices, at a reasonable subsidy per unit.

The finalists will be published in the July/August 2013 issue; Affordable Housing Finance magazine and newsletter subscribers as of July 1, 2013, will then vote for the winner in each category, with the winners published in the November/December 2013 issue. The winners also will be presented with awards at AHF Live: The Affordable Housing Developers’ Summit, Nov. 20-22, 2013, in Chicago.  For more information, please e-mail [email protected].


2013 Readers' Choice Form Downloads 

Download: 2013-Readers-Choice-Entry-Form.pdfPDF(22kb)

Download: 2013-Readers-Choice-Entry-Form.doc (35kb)