CUOMO ANNOUNCES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING DESIGN

See description of each award winner

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced winners of the Secretary's Award for Excellence, which recognizes innovative design efforts that expand homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families.

The awards go to housing developments that embody design excellence and also demonstrate successful collaborative efforts with local government, private industry and non-profit and community organizations. Winners need to show that their homes were sold at prices below the median in the area.

Awards were given today to: Viola Street Revitalization in Greenville, SC; Vermont Village Plaza in South Central Los Angeles, CA; Queen City Partnership in Dallas, TX; Old Town Square in Oakland, CA; Aim for Ownership in Schenectady, NY; Waverly Homes in Roxbury, MA; Vail Commons in Vail, CO; Lawrence/Grand St. Project in Hartford, CT; and State Street Revitalization in St. Paul, MN.

"These awards recognize that an affordable home can also be an innovative, attractive and comfortable home," Cuomo said.

The Secretary's Award is part of the National Association of Home Builders Best in American Living Award program. Assistant Secretary for Housing/Federal Housing Commissioner William Apgar presented the awards in Dallas at the annual National Association of Home Builders conference.