Affordable Housing Finance honors Readers’ Choice Awards Winners and Hall of Fame Inductees at industry awards luncheon

December 4, 2009 — Mercy Housing

On October 28, 2009, Affordable Housing Finance magazine, the leading business-to-business publication in the affordable housing industry, held its annual Readers’ Choice Awards and Hall of Fame Luncheon at the Palmer House in downtown Chicago at the conclusion of AHF Live: The Affordable Housing Developers’ Summit. The luncheon, sponsored by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, honored 11 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners and inducted five individuals into its Hall of Fame.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards honor the best affordable housing developments in the country. Affordable Housing Finance subscribers voted on the winners in each of the 10 categories as well as the best overall development out of 35 finalists that appeared in the July/August issue. The finalists represented the best of a very high quality group of projects, showing the tremendous range of creativity and the attention to detail that has come to characterize the affordable housing development industry.

Affordable Housing Finance’s 2008-2009 Readers’ Choice Winners:
Overall Winner: 990 Polk Street in San Francisco; developed by Citizens Housing Corp. and the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp.
Family: Grass Creek Village in Anchorage; developed by Cook Inlet Housing Authority
Green: Renaissance Riverfront Lofts in Denver; developed by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Historic Rehab: Royalton Apartments in Miami; developed by Carlisle Development Group and Carrfour Supportive Housing, Inc.
Homeownership: Mandela Gateway Townhomes in Oakland, Calif.; developed by BRIDGE Housing Corp.

Janet Falk, vice president of real estate for Mercy Housing California, accepts the award for Best Master-Planned/Mixed-Use Development for St. Vincent’s Affordable Housing in Santa Barbara, Calif., from Affordable Housing Finance publisher Rob Britt. (Photo by Steve Kagan)

Master-Planned/Mixed-Use: St. Vincent’s Affordable Housing in Santa Barbara, Calif.; developed by Mercy Housing
Preservation: Spring Creek Gardens in Brooklyn, N.Y.; developed by The Domain Cos. and The Arker Cos.
Rural: Red Hawk Apartments in Springdale, Utah; developed by Color Country Community Housing, Inc.
Seniors: 990 Polk Street in San Francisco; developed by Citizens Housing Corp. and the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp.
Special-Needs: Rayen Apartments in Los Angeles; developed by A Community of Friends
Urban: The Preserve in New Orleans; developed by The Domain Cos.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, five individuals were inducted into the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame. In 2006, Affordable Housing Finance created the Hall of Fame to honor outstanding leadership and commitment in our industry. The 2009 inductees are an inspirational group of leaders who have worked for decades to serve low-income Americans and provide them with affordable housing.  

Mercy Housing Sister Lillian Murphy was inducted into Affordable Housing Finance's Hall of Fame. Val Agostino, vice president of operations for Mercy Housing California, accepts on Murphy's behalf. (Photo by Steve Kagan)

The 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Renee Lewis Glover, president and CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority
The late George Knight, former executive director of Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp.
John T. McEvoy, former executive director of the National Council of State Housing Agencies
Sister Lillian Murphy, CEO of Mercy Housing
The late Don Terner, principal founder and former executive director, BRIDGE Housing Corp.

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Intercommunity Mercy Housing ‐ 2009 Holiday Assistance Campaign

November 25, 2009 — Mercy Housing

Help 150 families/seniors with holiday needs at properties where there is no service coordination available.

For more information please contact Katie Parker at kparker@mercyhousing.org or visit www.intercommunitymercyhousing.org.

 

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Resident Spotlight: Carolyn Walker

October 27, 2009 — Mercy Housing

Inside Carolyn’s Closet

Mercy Housing Resident Carolyn WalkerWhether she’s preparing and serving dinner at Evergreen Vista’s monthly resident meeting, organizing an outreach program or helping new residents get involved with the services their community has to offer, Carolyn Walker is always busy.

The Evergreen Vista neighborhood is home to more than 475 residents in Olympia, Wash. Carolyn and many other individuals and families living at Evergreen Vista were at one point homeless, coming to the property with as little as the clothing on their back.

“Homelessness is a test I do not wish on anybody,” said Carolyn. “Unless you’ve been through it, you just can’t understand.”

It is exactly that understanding combined with her big heart and giving spirit that gave Carolyn the inspiration to get involved with Evergreen Vista’s house wares and furniture donation bank. The program was started several years ago by Intercommunity Mercy Housing Resident Services staff and community members. Carolyn started running the program in 2003 and it was given the name Carolyn’s Closet.

Whether a person simply needs a few pots and pans or is starting over entirely, Carolyn’s Closet is a place where people in need can find anything from kitchenware to a new dresser.

“These people don’t need to justify or explain anything to me, “said Carolyn. “I already know what they need. I understand.”

Carolyn’s Closet benefits not just those who live in the 156 units in the Evergreen Vista neighborhood, but the entire surrounding county. All the items in Carolyn’s Closet have been donated and are available free of charge to residents and community members in need. Special consideration is given to people who are making the transition from homelessness.

“In my mind, the most important quality a person can have is caring about other people. That is the hallmark of Carolyn,” said Paul Grudis, Resident Services Coordinator at Evergreen Vista. “She notices other people’s needs right away.”

To read more about Mercy Housing’s work throughout the nation, check out our latest issue of News from Our Neighborhoods.

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Mercy Housing receives two grants worth $750,000 from Citi Foundation

August 18, 2009 — Mercy Housing

 

Lindbrook Court Resident Charlene Williams

Lindbrook Court Resident Charlene Williams

When Charlene Williams, 67, began looking for affordable homes near her daughters and grandchildren in Anaheim, she thought she might be expecting too much by looking for something affordable. Although the city of Anaheim has taken great steps to increase affordable housing for its residents, the area is still known for its high cost of living.

 

In Linbrook Court, a Mercy Housing California property for low-income seniors, Williams not only found a new affordable home near her family; she found a community. Since moving there in February 2004, Williams has served as president of the property’s resident council, been featured in a senior work-out video, and taken part in a variety of activities, including singing in a choir, playing boccie ball and organizing a property pool tournament.

“Charlene is determined to participate in all the activities she can, both in the community and outside the community,” said Mercy Housing California Resident Services Coordinator Erin Donovan. “She’s a real ‘people’ person and a huge advocate for being involved.”

Thanks to Citi Foundation’s continued support of Mercy Housing, more low-income seniors, like Williams, will have safe, stable affordable homes nationwide. In 2008, Mercy Housing received $500,000 from the Citi Foundation to support efforts in California and Illinois, as well as national housing development opportunities and capacity building. Citi Foundation recently awarded Mercy Housing an additional $250,000 grant to continue supporting the creation of healthy communities through affordable housing in 2009. The grant will support Mercy Housing in California and Illinois, including $100,000 that will go directly to Mercy Housing California’s efforts in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

 

 

 

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Mercy Housing receives grant from The Walmart Foundation to support national Environmental Stewardship Initiative

July 31, 2009 — Mercy Housing

Walmart Spark LogoMercy Housing will use $376,750 in grant funding from The Walmart Foundation to launch a nationwide effort to improve the use of energy at its existing affordable housing properties and require developers to use a variety of “green” design elements in all future properties.

The grant from The Walmart Foundation will supplement government and other philanthropic funding to help Mercy Housing launch a nationwide Environmental Stewardship Initiative. Mercy Housing will use $296,750 from the grant to conduct internal and third-party energy audits at 233 properties and implement a sustainable development policy. The remaining $80,000 will be divided among Mercy Housing’s eight regional offices for local implementation.

Click here to read more…

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Intercommunity Mercy Housing 2009 Back to School Drive

July 31, 2009 — Mercy Housing

backbacksIn 2008, Intercommunity Mercy Housing (with the help and support of caring individuals and local businesses) was able to mount a hugely successful back-to-school drive. Using both purchased and donated materials, IMH staff and volunteers filled 474 new backpacks with an assortment of school supplies, including binders, notebooks, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, erasers, rulers and paper. The backpacks were distributed to children at back-to-school events at IMH properties.

Our 2009 goal is to provide 650 filled backpacks to youth at 18 of our properties. Many of our families are large families coming from homelessness or other sub-standard housing situations and simply do not have the money to go out and purchase school supplies.

We’ll be able to fill most of the backpacks with existing partnerships and donors. Where we need the most help is in serving the kids who live at 1 property in Oak Harbor and 2 properties in Snohomish County and 1 property in Spokane County.supply list

How can you help?

If you are interested in donating, please contact Katie Parker with Intercommunity Mercy Housing. Her email address is kparker@mercyhousing.org or you can call 206-838-5700.

Thanks again for your consideration and support!

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Mercy Housing receives $100,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation to support national Environmental Stewardship Initiative

July 7, 2009 — Mercy Housing

Wind turbines located on the roof of Mercy Housing Lakefront's award-winning environmental property The Harold and Margot Schiff Residences located in Chicago

Wind turbines located on the roof of Mercy Housing Lakefront's award-winning environmental property The Harold and Margot Schiff Residences located in Chicago

Mercy Housing is launching a nationwide effort to improve the use of energy at its existing affordable housing properties and require developers to use a variety of “green” design elements in all future properties, thanks in part to a $100,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation.

The award from The Home Depot Foundation will supplement government and other philanthropic funding to help Mercy Housing launch a nationwide Energy Stewardship Initiative. Efforts include conducting 1,300 energy audits and implementing a sustainable development policy to be used throughout Mercy Housing’s local offices and affordable homes.

“Mercy Housing believes that sustainably built affordable housing better serves our residents by creating healthier environments and reducing energy costs,” said Sister Lillian Murphy, RSM, Mercy Housing CEO. “During challenging economic times, it is even more crucial that Mercy Housing brings sustainable development to scale to meet the growing need for stable, vibrant and healthy affordable housing. We are so excited to have The Home Depot Foundation support us in this important initiative.”

Many studies have shown that dilapidated housing is associated with exposure to lead and asthma triggers, such as mold, moisture, dust mites and rodents. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to carpet, glues and varnishes with volatile organic compounds can result in several health problems from eye, nose and throat irritation to liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.

High energy costs also greatly affect low-income households. The 2005 National Energy Assistance Survey found that as a result of high energy costs, 47 percent of households receiving federal home energy assistance went without medical care, 25 percent failed to pay their rent or mortgage, and 20 percent went without food for at least one day over a five-year period.

“We support the construction of homes for families that are healthy to live in and affordable to own, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Mercy Housing on its Environmental Stewardship Initiative,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “This initiative will create additional opportunities for thousands of families of modest means to experience the economic and health benefits of green building practices. We believe that the impact of this program will be far-reaching and will add to the long-term success of families and communities across the country.”

Read more: http://bit.ly/yqOYt

 

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