Amid soaring development costs and extraordinary obstacles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, developers have continued to create inspiring communities.
Here are 36 outstanding developments that have been selected as finalists in Affordable Housing Finance’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. They show the enormous range of affordable housing being built for families, seniors, farmworkers, veterans, and people with special needs. They also demonstrate the creativity and grit of the teams behind the projects.
Chosen from nearly 100 entries, this year’s finalists are in 17 states, from homes located near the agricultural fields of Washington to developments in the heart of New York City.
AHF magazine and newsletter subscribers can vote for the winners in 10 categories as well as an overall winner at https://forms.gle/tVzqxtnyVtdfo6pQA. Voting takes place through Aug. 24 and is restricted to subscribers as of July 31.
The winners will be recognized at AHF Live: The Affordable Housing Developers Summit, Nov. 14-16, in Chicago.
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Bronx Community Supports Domestic Violence Survivors
The Corden provides housing and services for households headed by previously homeless domestic violence survivors as well as low-income households.
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Nonprofits Revitalize Blighted Lot in Boston
The transit-oriented development brings 76 mixed-income units to the Mattapan neighborhood.
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Crestview Terrace Completes Redevelopment of San Bernardino Public Housing Complex
The sustainable development provides 184 mixed-income apartments.
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Austin Community Focuses on Services for Families
Laurel Creek Apartments is comprised of 88 homes in a high-opportunity neighborhood.
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Wisconsin Development Prioritizes Carbon Emission Reductions
The 50-unit 1300 Residences features 580 rooftop photovoltaic panels and three smart solar flowers.
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Vista Verde a Sustainable Centerpiece for Ontario, California
The development is National CORE's first all-electric and net-zero-energy project.
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Historic Virginia Building Becomes Seniors Housing
Developers have adapted a school into 50 affordable apartments.
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A Philadelphia School Finds New Purpose as Housing
The development is also part of a neighborhood revitalization effort.
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Pennrose Converts Historic School into 55 Homes
The development is an integral part of Auburn, Massachusetts.
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Patton Home Continues Tradition of Serving Oregon Residents
Residents receive free meals through a unique partnership.
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50 Penn Offers New Housing and Healthy Food Opportunities
The Brooklyn development features 218 affordable units.
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Texas Development Brings Together Housing and County Offices
Travis Flats features 122 affordable homes for residents in Austin.
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Development Serves the Needs of Veteran Families
Valor on Washington is also home to a nonprofit agency that works with veterans.
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Fairstead Preserves Virginia Property for the Long Term
The Atlantis Apartments receives a major renovation and its first full-time resident services coordinator.
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Beacon Communities Rehabs Key Housing Development
Highpoint Towers is home to vulnerable residents in Erie, Pennsylvania.
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Ambitious Project Creates Housing Opportunities in Baltimore
The scattered-site development includes housing for former public housing residents.
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Longtime Permanent Supportive Housing Development Undergoes Renovation
Residents at Major Jenkins Apartments receive air conditioning and Wi-Fi for the first time.
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Northern California Development Meets the Needs of Seniors and Local Community
MidPen Housing's latest project brings 117 homes to Redwood City.
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Community Effort Brings Seniors Housing to Elsmere, Kentucky
Cornerstone Crossing is the town's first affordable housing development in a decade.
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NYC Project Brings Housing, Services to Seniors
The development is one of the first to use the city’s Affordable Independent Residences for Seniors zoning.
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Community Effort Makes Camden Housing Revamp a Reality
The fourth phase of the Branch Village redevelopment features 58 one-bedroom units.
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Midtown Villages Reshapes Affordable Housing in Gainesville, Georgia
The property boasts six modern buildings and 200 units.
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Expansive Housing Redevelopment Furthers North Philadelphia Improvement Initiative
The 133-unit NC Five development includes 111 income-targeted and rent-restricted homes.
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Alta Madrone Brings Needed Housing to Wine Country
The development provides 48 apartments at the southern gateway to Sonoma.
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Yakima County Development Dedicated to Farmworkers
St. Catherine De Vigri Villas provides 53 units of affordable housing for the small rural community of Tieton, Washington.
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Rural Wisconsin City Benefits from New Mixed-Income Housing
The 45-unit development is helping to meet the need for affordable and market-rate housing.
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Kinser Flats Offers Housing, Services to People with Addictions
The Indiana development features 50 apartments.
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San Francisco Development Shows How to Save Time, Costs
Tahanan features 145 permanent supportive housing units.
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Developers Create Vibrant Mixed-Income Community in San Francisco
Two projects were built in close collaboration, share resources.
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Developers, Church Leaders Bring Senior Housing to Miami
The property allows residents to remain in their community.
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Keeler Court Uplifts Its Residents and San Diego Neighborhood
The development offers new housing options to veterans and others.
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New York City Development Co-Locates Affordable Housing and Shelter
WSFSSH at West 108 is also set to have a health center.
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Pennrose Adds Seniors Housing to Health System Campus
The new development creates affordable housing opportunities in Findlay, Ohio.
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Affordable Housing Developer and Church Collaborate to Create Seniors Housing
Jordan Court brings 37 homes to Berkeley, California.
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Former Armory Gets New Life as Veterans Housing
Chuck Austin Place in Yakima, Washington, also provides critical on-site services for residents.
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City of Oakland Transforms Dorm Into Family Shelter and Supportive Housing for Seniors
Clifton Hall became a reality through the state's Project Homekey program.