Six Community-Based Organizations Honored

BALTIMORE, MD - MetLife Foundation and Enterprise announced the 2008 recipients of the MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing this morning at the Enterprise Community Conference in Baltimore. Six community based organizations were awarded a total of $180,000 for leadership, innovation, and effectiveness in the fields of supportive housing and property and asset management.

Celebrating its 13th year, the MetLife Foundation Awards program has recognized more than 80 community-based organizations across the country and provided more than $1.4 million in unrestricted support to the winners. The awards recognize 501( c )(3) community-based or regional nonprofit organizations and Tribes/Tribally Designated Housing Entities that have excelled in affordable housing property and asset management or successfully provided housing to people with special needs, including formerly homeless individuals and families.

Applications were received from organizations nationwide, and a committee of affordable and supportive housing experts selected the award recipients. Three winners in each category receive an unrestricted grant to sustain and expand their work in the community. First-place winners receive $40,000, second-place winners $30,000, and third-place winners $20,000.

The following properties and organizations were recognized:

First Place: Renaissance at Civic Center Apartments, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, provides 216 rental units in downtown Denver to a mixed population, including formerly homeless singles and low income-singles and families.

Second Place: The St. George Hotel, Skid Row Housing Trust, is located in Los Angeles' Skid Row neighborhood and offers 87 units of housing for formerly homeless individuals.

Third Place: DOORWAYS Supportive Housing Facility, Doorways Housing, is a 36-unit property in St. Louis's Central West End, providing housing for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Property and Asset Management:

First Place: Craig Gardens Senior Housing, First Community Housing, provides 90 affordable units for seniors in San Jose, California, and is a LEED-certified green development.

Second Place: The HOUSE Town House Acquisition and Rental Program, Reston Interfaith Housing Corporation, encompasses 29 scattered-site rental units in Reston and Herndon, Virginia, for households predominantly headed by formerly homeless single parents.

Third Place: Wheeler House Senior Residence, a joint venture project of New Birth Community Care Center and S.W. Development, is an 89-unit property in the south side of Chicago developed as a safe and nurturing home for local seniors.

"Affordable, well-maintained housing is a vital component of livable communities," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO, MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to join Enterprise in recognizing the six award winners, who are meeting the needs of low-income individuals and families and strengthening communities."

"The MetLife Foundation winners have successfully created housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families who have no other options," said Enterprise president and CEO Doris Koo. "Enterprise is proud of the work these organizations have done to ensure that decent, safe and affordable homes continue to be important ingredients in building and stabilizing our nation's communities."

Through its website and publications, Enterprise will showcase the winning organizations as models of best practice for on-site services and effective management in affordable housing.