The winning programs were chosen from 124 entries from across the country, and programs will serve as models for other HFAs. "The Awards Program represents the best work of HFAs from across the country. It’s a great way to share information about what works. It is this sharing that, over the years, has made all HFAs more successful in achieving our common mission of providing affordable housing for those who need it," said Kim Herman, NCSHA president and executive director of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

NCSHA is a national, nonprofit organization created by the nation’s state HFAs to assist them in increasing housing opportunities for lower income and underserved people through the financing, development, and preservation of affordable housing.

A list of the 2007 NCSHA Annual Awards for Program Excellence Winners follows:

Homeownership: Empowering New Buyers

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development – House Keys 4 Employees: A Workforce Housing Initiative; Contact: Vicky Grim, (410) 514-7507

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority – Partnership Neighborhood Initiative; Contact: Mary Zins, (608) 266-2184

Homeownership: Home Improvement and Rehabilitation

MaineHousing – Home Energy Loan Program; Contact: Dan Simpson, (207) 626-4617

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development – Accessible Homes for Seniors; Contact: Pat Sylvester, (410) 514-7481

Homeownership: Encouraging New Production

Tennessee Housing Development Agency – BUILDing Non-Profits; Contact: Patricia Smith, (615) 741-4979

Rental Housing: Multifamily Management

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority – Asset Management and Compliance Working Together; Contact: Sharon Rambadt, (608) 264-6857

Rental Housing: Preservation and Rehabilitation

Missouri Housing Development Commission – Villas of Autumn Bend: Preserving Affordable Housing Through the Innovative Use of Resources; Contact: Brandon Laster, (816) 759-6692

Virginia Housing Development Authority – REACH NOVA; Contact: Herb Hill, (804) 343-5595

Rental Housing: Encouraging New Production

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation – Affordable Rental Housing Development for Rural Professionals; Contact: James Wiedle, (907) 330-8274

Special Needs Housing: Combating Homelessness

MaineHousing – Rental Assistance Coupon Plus (RAC+) Program; Contact: Dan Simpson, (207) 626-4617

Oregon Housing and Community Services – Oregon Housing PLUS; Contact: John Fletcher, (503) 986-2000

Special Needs Housing: Housing for Persons with Special Needs

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development – Housing for Individuals with Disabilities-Retooling Existing Resources to Enhance Housing Opportunities of Choice; Contact: Pat Sylvester, (410) 514-7481

Management Innovation: Financial

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development – Optimized Loan Purchase Process (Purchase Sweep); Contact: Sergei Kuzmenchuk, (410) 514-7428

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – FHA Mortgage Interest Rate Reduction Initiative; Contact: Paula Brightbill, (717) 780-3915

Management Innovation: Human Resources

Virginia Housing Development Authority – VHDA University; Contact: Herb Hill, (804) 343-5595

Management Innovation: Operations

Michigan State Housing Development Authority – Promoting Integrity in Assisted Housing by Fighting Fraud; Contact: Mary Lou Keenon, (517) 373-0011

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – Rewarding Energy Efficiency in Rental Funding; Contact: Paula Brightbill, (717) 780-3915

Management Innovation: Technology

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority – StarSystem; Contact: Kristine McLain, (303) 297-7427

Communications: Annual Report