Housing Awards

Each year the Virginia Housing Awards recognize and celebrate the most successful, innovative and effective efforts to meet Virginia’s diverse housing needs.  Again this year, nominations reflecting innovative, effective housing efforts are being sought. 

Nominations are sought from any individual, organization or entity that is involved in developing or providing housing projects and housing-related services, programs and resources.  A team of housing professionals from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Housing Development Authority will evaluate the nominations. 

** Awards will be presented at the Governor’s Housing Conference, to be held Nov. 12 through 14, 2008 in Hampton.

Nominations may be submitted in each of the following categories:

• Best Housing Development – The award in this category will go to a housing development that is innovative in its concept and design and exceptional in meeting the needs of the targeted client population.  Nominations may be for new construction, renovation, or adaptive reuse projects.  Examples might include a housing development for senior citizens that is designed with their needs in mind, or an affordable housing development that will offer low-income persons an opportunity to become homeowners for the first time.

• Best Housing Program or Service – The award in this category will go to a housing program or service that has demonstrated innovative and creative efforts in providing services or assistance to citizens in need of help in meeting any aspect of housing needs.  Examples might include financial counseling programs for prospective homeowners, shelters for homeless individuals or families, programs to assist homeless citizens transition into permanent housing or fair housing programs.

• Best Housing Organization – The award in this category will go to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment, effectiveness and innovation in meeting any type of housing-related needs.  Examples might include a nonprofit organization that provides housing assistance, a redevelopment and housing authority that provides affordable housing that meets a range of client needs, or a local government agency that strongly supports affordable housing initiatives

• Best Housing Preservation/Revitalization Effort – The award in this category will go to a housing activity that preserves existing housing stock or uses housing as a critical component of a broad revitalization effort.  Examples might include a housing rehabilitation that allows residents to remain in their homes while improving the overall conditions of the neighborhood, or the development of upper-story apartments that complement downtown revitalization activities.

** Nominations will be accepted this fall.  Information and a nomination form will be posted on this site.  Sign up online for Governor’s Housing Conference updates and to be alerted when nominations are being accepted.

For more information on the annual Virginia Housing Awards please contact Shea Hollifield, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, 501 North Second Street, Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 371-7031 or shea.hollifield@dhcd.virginia.gov.