Nominations requested!

The 2009 Governor’s Housing Conference is scheduled for Nov. 18 through 20, 2009 at the Norfolk Marriott. Each year one of the conference’s highlights is the Virginia Housing Awards program which recognizes innovative, effective efforts that address our housing needs.

Nominations are now being accepted 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.

This year a new award category is being added! The Best Mixed Use or Mixed Income Project category will focus on development projects that include a range of housing cost options, including affordable housing, or a combination of uses that includes affordable housing.

Awards will be presented at the Governor’s Housing Conference, to be held Nov. 18 through 20, 2009 in Norfolk.

Nomination Form >> DOC

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2009. Please contact Shea Hollifield via email at shea.hollifield@dhcd.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 371-7031 with any questions concerning the Virginia Housing Awards

Nominations may be submitted in each of the following categories:

* Best Affordable 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. Nomination 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 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 program that allows residents to remain in their homes while improving the overall conditions of the neighborhood or the development of affordable housing in a structure not previously used for housing that contributes to a revitalization effort.

* Best Affordable Housing Energy Conservation Effort – The award in this category will go to the housing organization that has demonstrated its commitment to energy conservation and prudent use of resources in the development, construction, or renovation of a housing community. Examples might include the implementation of LEED or EarthCraft Green Building standards in the development of a multifamily development, efforts undertaken by management or ownership to reduce energy consumption in an existing property, or programs offered to the residents so that they can implement energy conservation efforts within their own apartment homes

* NEW! Mixed Use or Mixed Income Housing Development – The award in this category will go to the development project that has successfully and creatively combined a mix of uses, including affordable housing, or that has combined a mix of income ranges in a housing development that includes affordable housing options. Examples might include a mixed income development that provides affordable housing as part of a range of housing cost choices, or the development of a mixed-use project that combines commercial uses and affordable housing.

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.