Special Needs Housing: Combating Homelessness
Recognizes an HFA for a new or enhanced program that best provides affordable housing and services for individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Note: Individual housing developments are not eligible for submission.
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.
2026 Entries
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation:
No Community Left Behind
Pandemic resources brought game changing homeless and supportive housing funds to many of Alaska's smallest communities for the first time. And Alaskans in the most remote parts of our state left homelessness as result. But now what? This year, AHFC stepped forward with our partners to build and roll out a successor initiative with state funds that empowers our small communities off the road system to continue providing community and culture appropriate housing solutions for homelessness.
Idaho Housing and Finance Association:
Community Housing Equity Fund
The Community Housing Equity Fund (CHEF) is a transformative, statewide initiative redefining how homelessness response housing is financed, delivered, and sustained. Developed by IHFA , the program expands nonprofit capacity, leverages local investment and creates permanent housing solutions through an innovative shared equity model.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development:
Maryland's Community Schools Rental Assistance Program
The Community Schools Rental Assistance Program provides emergency rental and utility assistance to families with students enrolled in Maryland community schools who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness. By partnering with trusted local organizations and utilizing school-based networks, the program has been able to reach community members previously left out of other, traditional assistance programs.
Minnesota Housing:
Rippling Impact: How Paying People with Lived Experience of Homelessness is Changing the Way State Government Works
When the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, co-led by Minnesota Housing, began using contracts to pay people with lived experience to co-develop their strategic plan, they established a new way of working at the Agency and state government. Consultants have helped shape policy, improve programs and strengthen cross-agency coordination beyond that initial work. Together, they’re reshaping government systems to be more just, effective and grounded in real world experience.
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority:
Bridging Housing and Health - A Scalable Supportive Housing Model Through LIHTC
The LIHTC Tenant Referral Process is a partnership between SC Housing and the SC Department of Mental Health to expand supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness. Created through the 2021 QAP, it incentivizes developers to set aside units for supportive housing. Using a statewide referral network, the program connects tenants to housing and services, creating a scalable, cost-effective model.
