Homeownership: Home Improvement and Rehabilitation
Recognizes an HFA for a new or enhanced program that best provides home improvement and rehabilitation financing to HFA targeted customers.
Judging Criteria
Entries in the Homeownership category will be judged on the degree to which they:
- Are innovative
- Are replicable
- Respond to an important state housing need
- Use data, research, and analysis to demonstrate measurable benefits to HFA targeted customers and underserved markets
- Have a proven track record of success in the marketplace
- Provide benefits that outweigh costs
- Demonstrate effective use of resources
- Effectively employ partnerships
- Achieve strategic objectives
If you have questions, please email awards@ncsha.org or call 202-624-7710.
2026 Entries
Housing New Mexico:
Home Improvement Program
Housing New Mexico’s Home Improvement Program (HIP) improves the traditional HOME homeowner rehabilitation model by introducing a direct-service delivery approach and a pre-qualified contractor pool. These innovations allow the agency to serve counties without local providers while streamlining procurement and project delivery. In fiscal year 2025, HIP completed six projects statewide, compared to two completed by six traditional providers combined.
Illinois Housing Development Authority:
Helping Illinoisans at Home through the Home Repair and Accessibility Program
As Illinois contends with an aging housing stock, the Illinois Housing Development Authority reassessed its home rehabilitation financing programs and redesigned them into a more efficient one to help more homeowners afford home repairs. The resulting Home Repair and Accessibility Program features faster approvals and spending benchmarks. These improvements led to a 40% increase in completed home rehab projects over previous IHDA programs.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development:
Maryland’s Innovative Financing for Vacant Property Revitalization
Maryland DHCD's Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative (BVRI) program provides flexible, performance-based funding to demolish, stabilize, acquire and renovate vacant properties in distressed Baltimore neighborhoods. This data-driven, revolving loan fund model leverages state-local partnerships to expand homeownership, restore housing markets, and offers a scalable neighborhood revitalization strategy.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority:
MI Neighborhood: Streamlining Housing Investment for Statewide Impact
MI Neighborhood consolidates nine funding programs into a single application, streamlining processes and expanding access for communities and developers. Since its 2023 launch, it has invested over $165 million in home repair and small-scale housing development, reducing administrative burden and accelerating project delivery. Its creation is driving measurable results for regional partners working on Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan implementation.
