Contact Information: Contact: Doug Robinson 202 220 2360
NeighborWorks Organizations Win 2008 National Homebuilding Awards
| Source: NeighborWorks America
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - January 6, 2009) - NeighborWorks® organizations around the
U.S. were recognized with a range of residential building awards in 2008,
including commendation for outstanding environmental construction; creative
financing and design.
NeighborWorks® organizations are part of the NeighborWorks® network, a
national group of community development organizations, including more than
eighty members that are single- and/or multi-family homebuilders and
remodelers.
"NeighborWorks® organizations are singularly focused on improving the
lives of residents in their communities," explained Ken Wade, CEO of
NeighborWorks® America. "By applying the latest building standards and
innovating to reduce the cost of construction, long-term owner and tenant
energy use, NeighborWorks® organizations have proven that great housing
can be affordable, green and be inspired by great design."
Building Affordable Solar -- Community Housing Works
In 2008, NeighborWorks® organization Community Housing Works based in San
Diego, CA was selected by the Urban Land Institute for its Award of
Excellence for the Solara project. Solara is the first affordable housing
development in California designed to be totally independent of the
municipal energy grid. Solara consists of 56 multifamily rental units, and
generates ninety percent of its electrical needs via solar panels.
Building Energy Efficient and Affordable Homeownership
Also in 2008, the Blue Vista project from Thistle Community Housing, a
NeighborWorks® group based in Boulder, CO was named a Development of the
Year by the National Association of Home Builders. Blue Vista is a 198-home
"green" development where each home is built with an eye toward energy
conservation in everything from the things a homeowner sees such as windows
that keep energy use down, to duct work that efficiently transfers heating
and cooling throughout the home.
Building with History in Mind
The Gates at Ballston is a 464-unit affordable rental housing development
constructed by AHC, Inc., out of Arlington, VA, and one of the largest
homebuilders in the NeighborWorks® network. By taking care to preserve
the historical integrity of The Gates while rehabbing many of the units,
AHC won the Housing Association of Non-profit Developers "Best Project in
2008" award.
"NeighborWorks® network organizations build and rehab more than one
thousand units of affordable housing each year," said Howard Lewis,
director of National Real Estate programs at NeighborWorks® America.
"This is just a sample of the incredible work and recognition that the
network earns every year. They are building green, they are building smart,
and they are building affordable housing for their communities."
About NeighborWorks® America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their
lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership
and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted
nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing
needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the
NeighborWorks network -- more than 230 community development organizations
working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50
states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years,
NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in
reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's
leading trainer of community development and affordable housing
professionals. www.nw.org.