HUD HONORS MADISON WITH PRESTIGIOUS "DOORKNOCKER AWARD" FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Wisconsin housing development among 14 model programs named nationwide

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is recognizing Madison's Robert L. Beilman project 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 Marquez presented the awards during HUD's HOME Program 20th Anniversary Conference in Bethesda, Maryland.

Wisconsin's award winning project is:

City of Madison, WI
Robert L. Beilman House
(New construction rental housing)

Completed in 2004, the Robert L. Beilman House is a nine-unit rental project with two Accessible units designed to meet the needs of low-income people who experience chronic mental illness and have been homeless. Located on an infill lot in the Sherman neighborhood of Madison's north side, the Robert L. Beilman House is a successful example of moderately sized, attractive, mixed-use project. The project is located in a walkable neighborhood close to retail centers, with a city bus stop at its door and a major transportation hub just two blocks away. The mature trees and protected marshland were considered in the design to take advantage of the views as well as the shade, which will lower the cooling costs in the summer.

The property also has many energy-efficient features, including windows and air filtration and lighting systems. Housing Initiatives, Inc. provides intensive property management that includes clinical and case management monitoring and coordination with service providers, if necessary. Tenants receive rental assistance through Shelter + Care or Section 8. Contributing to the project's long-term affordability is a rather unique project financing feature through a 30-year, two percent homeless mortgage loan provided by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

For more information contact:

Audrey Short
Grants Administrator
City of Madison
PO Box 2627
Madison, WI 53701
(608) 267-0743
ashort@cityofmadison.com

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 the 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 producing sustainable housing, promoting long-term affordability, reaching underserved populations and building CHDO (non-profit) capacity.

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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 at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.