Special Achievement: Special Achievement

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation:
Lands to Housing Catalyst

In Alaska, less than 1% of our land is privately owned. Even in a big state, housing needs more than 1% of the land to grow. AHFC was asked to work with public landholders to unlock some of their lands for housing, and that's exactly what we did through the Lands to Housing Catalyst. And roughly 700 new acres are inbound to the housing market as a result, with more in the pipeline.

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority:
The Buildout Podcast

The Buildout is a podcast published by CHFA that uplifts the stories of people and organizations tackling some of the state’s toughest challenges. Over the course of 16 episodes, The Buildout has successfully leveraged the power of storytelling to illustrate the impact of CHFA and its partners in the work to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development.

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority:
Housing Opportunity Navigator Initiative: Expanding Housing Choice for All

Traditional mobility counseling mainly serves only voucher holders and measures success by where people move. CHFA asked a different question: what if anyone seeking stable housing could get expert, one-on-one navigation support -- and success meant finding a home of their choice, wherever that may be? HONI is the answer.

Delaware State Housing Authority:
Preparing for the Worst: Disaster Housing

Recognizing that accessible and stable housing is a cornerstone of recovery, DSHA launched a statewide effort in 2023 to strengthen the state’s capacity for effective post-disaster housing recovery. This initiative focuses on promoting interagency collaboration, clarifying partner roles and responsibilities, fostering communication, and identifying existing and needed resources in the recovery space. DSHA is fully funding this work. DSHA also is proposing legislation with DEMA.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority:
Bridging the Gap: Opening the Door to Legal Resources

IHCDA partnered with the Indiana Bar Foundation to boost legal access for Hoosiers, especially those facing eviction. With $1.4M in ERA2 funds, 150 legal resource kiosks were launched across Indiana's 92 counties. Located in courts, libraries, and community sites, they let residents research legal topics, complete and print forms, watch videos, and find free or low cost help through IndianaLegalHelp.org.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority:
Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program: A Collaborative Approach to Tribal Housing

By building trust, raising awareness, and strengthening partnerships, MSHDA’s Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program is shaping housing programs, policies, and services in collaboration with Tribal Nations. This work is expanding access to resources and supporting the development and rehabilitation of housing units across Michigan.

Minnesota Housing:
Paving the Way: Minnesota’s Climate Resilience and Housing Decarbonization Roadmap

Minnesota’s climate is changing, impacting the well-being of our communities. Minnesota Housing collaborated with partners to develop the Climate Resilience and Housing Decarbonization Roadmap. Rooted in the Governor’s Climate Action Framework, the Roadmap guides Agency efforts to prepare homes for climate change. By advancing decarbonization and climate resilience, the Agency is strengthening the long-term housing affordability and stability that enables individuals and communities to thrive.

Nevada Housing Division:
Nevada Housing Division - Home Means Nevada Initiative

The Home Means Nevada Initiative (HMNI) is a $500 million ARPA-funded effort addressing Nevada’s housing crisis. Rising costs and limited supply left a shortage of 80,000 affordable units. HMNI has funded 56 projects, creating or preserving over 3,700 units and supporting 1,000 homeowners. Focused on development, preservation, and access, HMNI serves vulnerable populations while reinvesting funds through loans, offering a sustainable, statewide
housing solution.

New Hampshire Housing:
Housing Opportunity Grant Program

The Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) Grant Program addresses New Hampshire's urgent affordable housing shortage. Part of the $100 million InvestNH initiative, it provides $7.9 million in funding to municipalities for master plan updates, housing assessments, regulatory audits, and zoning amendments, benefiting a third of all towns and 70% of the population.

Rhode Island Housing:
Municipal Technical Assistance Program: Turning Housing Policy Into Development Action Across Rhode Island

Rhode Island is grappling with a severe housing shortage. One major hurdle: outdated or convoluted zoning and land use laws, preventing housing growth. Our state leaders have passed more than 60 housing and land use reforms over five years to remove barriers to development. Recognizing that legislation alone would not drive progress, RIHousing launched an initiative through our Municipal Technical Assistance Program to translate these reforms into actionable tools for every municipality.

Vermont Housing Finance Agency:
HousingData.org: Accessible & Reliable Affordable Housing Data for Vermont

Finding reliable housing data often requires endless web searches and inconsistent sources. HousingData.org solves this. Developed by VHFA in 2003 and upgraded in 2025, this free, public data hub is a one-stop source for high-quality, state-specific affordable housing data and tools. Newly enhanced Community Data Profiles, a Housing Resource Toolbox, and a statewide directory of affordable rental housing put actionable information in the hands of the people shaping Vermont’s housing solutions.

Virginia Housing:
Innovation in Manufactured Housing

Manufactured housing plays a critical role in the affordable housing ecosystem. In rural communities in Virginia, up to 14% of the housing inventory is comprised of manufactured housing, and overall, Virginia has just under 200,000 manufactured homes in its current housing stock. Despite recent improvements in the overall quality, durability, and attractiveness of manufactured housing, this form of housing continues to labor under a negative stigma.