Special Needs Housing: Combating Homelessness
Recognizes programs that best provide affordable housing and services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Note: Individual developments are not eligible for an award.
Judging Criteria
Special Needs Housing entries will be judged on the degree to which they:
- Are innovative
- Are replicable
- Respond to an important state housing need
- Demonstrate measurable benefits to HFA targeted customers
- 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.
2014 Winner
MaineHousing (Winner)
MassHousing (Winner)
2014 Entries
Arizona Department of Housing/Arizona Housing Finance Authority:
"ADOH - Housing for Persons With Special Needs: Combating Homelessness"
On February 14, 2014, Arizona was proudly able to declare an end to chronic homelessness among veterans in the City of Phoenix. Our ongoing objective is to eliminate chronic homelessness throughout the State of Arizona.
Delaware State Housing Authority:
"Wilmington Senior Tax Assistance Program"
The Wilmington Senior Tax Assistance Program was launched in January 2012 by Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) to prevent City of Wilmington homeowners aged 62 and older from falling into foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes and/or water and sewer bills.
Iowa Finance Authority:
"Standards for Homelessness Programs"
The Iowa Council on Homelessness sought to utilize funding to develop Standards for Homelessness Programs. The common standards would cover three main areas: Operations, Services, and Performance.
MaineHousing (Winner):
"Home to Stay Program"
MaineHousing’s Home to Stay (HTS) Program is an innovative shelter initiative that strives to transport the current crisis response system to individuals and families experiencing homelessness into a comprehensive and strategic intervention focusing on rapid-rehousing and housing permanency.
MassHousing (Winner):
"New Lease"
Responding to the growing crisis of homeless families in Massachusetts, in 2013, MassHousing joined a core group of affordable housing owners in Massachusetts to pilot a new approach to providing permanent affordable housing to homeless families in the Commonwealth.
Minnesota Housing:
"Veterans Housing at Fort Snelling"
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority:
"Victory Apartments: A Home for Veterans"
Ohio Housing Finance Agency:
"Capital Funding to End Homelessness Initiative"
OHFA and ODSA committed a combined $32 million over two years for CFEHI – OHFA is contributing $15 million in Agency reserves and $6 million in recycled Tax Credit Assistance Program funds, and ODSA is providing $11 million in state housing trust funds.
Rhode Island Housing:
"Homeless Facility Improvement and Operating Deficit Fund"
The Homeless Facility Improvement and Operating Deficit Fund provides funding to conduct physical improvements to existing homeless facilities to substantially improve the delivery of supportive services for residents and to provide assistance for current year operating deficits.
