1. Nonprofit Developer of the Year
2. Best Small Affordable Housing Project
3. Best Large Affordable Housing Project
4. Virginia Peters Nonprofit Friend of the Year
5. Best Housing Partner
6. President’s Choice Award

AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

1. Nonprofit Developer of the Year – recognizes the outstanding overall achievement and impact of a nonprofit affordable housing developer during 2014.

2. Best Small Affordable Housing Project (50 units or less) – recognizes an exemplary, small affordable housing development in the D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia region (Baltimore to Richmond). Small developments have 50 units of housing or less. Both rental and homeownership developments are eligible. To be considered, the project must have been rehabilitated/ constructed/ financed during 2014 and in service and available for use by residents by 12/31/2014. Note that the developer/owner of the project will be the award recipient, even if another partner submits the nomination.

3. Best Large Affordable Housing Project (More than 50 units) – recognizes an exemplary, large affordable housing development in the D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia region (Baltimore to Richmond). Large developments have more than 50 units of housing. Both rental and homeownership developments are eligible. To be considered, the project must have been rehabilitated/constructed/financed during 2014 and in service and available for use by residents by 12/31/2014. Note that the developer/owner of the project will be the award recipient, even if another partner submits the nomination.

4. Virginia Peters Nonprofit Friend Award – recognizes an individual or group of individuals who provide outstanding support or service to a nonprofit housing or service organization. Past winners have included advocates, elected officials, neighborhood leaders and local business members.

5. Best Partner Award – recognizes the exemplary contributions of a HAND for-profit or government member who has been a vital partner in the effort to increase and preserve affordable housing in the region. This award will be given to an organization that supports organizations developing and preserving housing. Nominations must come from a third-party, nonprofit HAND member (no self nominations in this category).

6. President’s Choice Award – allows the President of HAND to present an award for lifetime achievement or for an exemplary, state of the art response to providing affordable housing or support service that was not selected in a stated category or nominated for an award. This category may or may not be used at the President’s discretion. Nominations for this category will not be accepted.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

1. Please provide a one-page statement describing why the organization, project or program is deserving of the award in the specific category. The one page narrative should include a description of the project, program, organization or individual. If appropriate, include the number of units or persons served, affordable income levels targeted, when started and opened, total development or program cost, sources and uses of funds, etc. Please be sure to address the creative and/or innovative aspects of the nominated individual, organization and/or its project or program and any other characteristics that might meet the judging criteria outlined below. Applicants may also submit up to three pages of additional supporting material (i.e. press releases, newspaper article, photos, award, testimonial, etc.).

2. There is no fee to enter; however, all organizations/individuals who submit an award or who are the intended award recipient must be current HAND members at the time of submission.

3. Self-nominations (except for Best Partner Award) and nominations by other HAND members are encouraged.

4. Prior year winners (2014) are not eligible to receive an award for the same category in 2015.

5. Winners will be notified no later than the week of May 8, 2015 and will be required to provide materials and participate in promotion leading up to HAND’s Annual Meeting & Housing Expo on June 23, 2015.

6. All entries must be received electronically via application on www.HANDHousing.org by Friday, April 24, 2015, 5:00 PM EST. LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Finalists will be selected by a panel of three independent judges familiar with affordable housing development and programs.

1. Award-winning projects/programs must exemplify an innovative, state of the art response to providing affordable housing and/or support services. Finalists will be selected based on an assessment of the following characteristics:

• Impact on the community by adding substantially to the affordable housing stock or improving the immediate social or economic fabric
• Demonstrates an efficient use of resources or pioneers a new financing method (taps new funding sources; demonstrates new efficiency in capital costs and/or maintenance/operating costs,  etc.)
• Evidence of cost-effectiveness, i.e., producing housing at substantially below-market rents or home prices, at a reasonable subsidy per unit
• Address a particularly pressing affordable housing need to serve a population with intensive service needs
• Employs innovative design and/or construction, including energy efficiency and sustainable development
• Inclusion of community life programs that improve the quality of life of the residents of an affordable housing development and/or residents of the surrounding community.
• Received broad community support, including state and local government financial assistance.
• Addresses a unique challenge; Demonstrates creative problem-solving
• Evidence of cost-effectiveness, i.e., producing housing at substantially below-market rents or home prices, at a reasonable subsidy per unit

2. Awards will be made at the discretion of the judges.

3. In the event the judges do not agree, the HAND Board will make the final decision.

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