HUD No. 10-269 April A. Brown (202) 708-0685 |
For Release Tuesday May 3, 2011 |
HUD HONORS ALLEGHENY COUNTY WITH PRESTIGIOUS "DOORKNOCKER AWARD" FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Pennsylvania housing development among 14 model programs named nationwide
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is recognizing Allegheny County with its coveted "Doorknocker Award" for their outstanding work in producing affordable housing. From creating a stable living environment for those with disabilities to providing rental assistance to homeless veterans, each community represents a model for developing innovative housing solutions to meet their specific needs.
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced the awards to 11 local communities and three state agencies for their exceptional use of funding provided through HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The announcement of the "Doorknocker Awards" coincides with the 20th anniversary of the HOME Program, the largest federal block grant program dedicated to producing affordable housing at the state and local level. Since 1992, HOME produced more than one million units of affordable housing through the U.S.
"Whether it's saving a homeless veteran from a life on the streets or designing a transit-oriented, energy efficient development that revitalizes a blighted neighborhood, these governments prove that working together, we can make a real difference," Secretary Donovan said. "Producing affordable housing is hard work but these jurisdictions are
building better communities and creating opportunities for people most in need."
HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Mercedes Márquez presented the awards during HUD's HOME Program 20th Anniversary Conference in Bethesda, Maryland. The Allegheny County Consortium earned the award for the Woodcrest Retirement Residence. Completed in 2008, the Woodcrest Retirement Residence
provides 59 units of senior housing through rehabilitation of a former nuns' residence on the campus of the Felician Sisters Convent and School in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, a suburban community outside of Pittsburgh.
The project was redeveloped using green building techniques, including day lighting strategies, right-sized ventilation systems, and super insulation. In addition, the use of low volatile organic compounds in carpeting, resilient flooring, glue, foam furniture, paints, and other materials was intended to improve air quality for seniors who may have respiratory or allergy problems. The project received a LEED Gold rating. Services at the residence include optional meals, library/computer area, craft room, hair salon, fitness center, multi-purpose room, and van service. A covered bridge connects the residence to a high school, promoting intergenerational activities and access to the school's facilities. An internal rent subsidy ensures affordability for qualified tenants. For more information contact: Richard Ranii, Manager, Housing and Human Services, Allegheny County, PA Consortium 425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 412-350-1029, richard.ranii@alleghenycounty.us
HUD's HOME Program
The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act created the HOME Program in 1992. HOME provides formula grants to States and localities that communities use-often in partnership with local nonprofit groups-to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.
Each year, HUD allocates approximately $2 billion to more than 600 State and local participating jurisdictions to increase the stock of affordable housing and provide tenant-based rental assistance for low- and very low-income households. Since the program's inception, the HOME Program has completed more than one million units of affordable housing and provided more than 240,000 families with critically needed rental assistance. Each dollar of HOME funds leverages nearly $4 in other public and private investment and has leveraged more than $78 billion over the life of
the program.
Each award-winning project demonstrates how the flexibility provided by the HOME program is used by State and
local governments to meet the specific needs of low-income families and underserved populations in their areas. These projects and programs serve as models for other jurisdictions to replicate throughout the country in four categories of innovation -producing sustainable housing, promoting long-term affordability, reaching underserved populations and building CHDO (non-profit) capacity.
###
HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.
National HOME Doorknocker Award Winners |
||
State | Community | Project Name |
California | City of Los Angeles | The New Carver Apartments |
California | Los Angeles County | Casa Dominquez |
Massachusetts | City of Somerville | St. Polycarp Village Apartments |
Massachusetts | City of Springfield/ Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
Worthington Commons |
Massachusetts | Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community Village |
North Carolina | City of Asheville | Pathways to Permanent Housing |
New York | City of Mount Vernon | Grace Towers Housing |
Ohio | Franklin County | Commons at Buckingham |
Pennsylvania | Allegheny County Consortium | Woodcrest Retirement Residences |
South Dakota | State of South Dakota | Sir Charles Apartments |
Vermont | City of Burlington | King Street Housing |
Vermont | State of Vermont | CHDO Capacity Building Program |
Washington | City of Seattle | Broadway Crossing |
Wisconsin | City of Madison | Robert L. Beilman House |