HousingIowa Awards Showcase the Best in Iowa Affordable Housing Initiatives

2nd annual HousingIowa awards honor outstanding housing initiatives throughout Iowa

Des Moines, IA – September 15, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Four outstanding Iowa housing initiatives and one individual from throughout the state were recently recognized with HousingIowa Awards at the 2009 HousingIowa Conference, presented by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) in Des Moines.

“I congratulate the 2009 HousingIowa Award recipients for their exceptional work in advancing affordable housing in Iowa,” said IFA Executive Director Bret Mills. “It is evident that the individuals behind these projects and initiatives take pride in working to provide all Iowans with safe, decent and affordable housing.”

The HousingIowa Awards recognize outstanding programs or projects for their leadership and innovation in advancing affordable housing development in Iowa. The three categories include: Multifamily, Single-Family and Special Needs.

In addition to the HousingIowa Awards, the Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award, which was founded in 2008 when the state of Iowa lost an exceptional community development advocate with the passing of Kay Anderson. A resident of LeMars and long-time member of the IFA Board of Directors, Kay is remembered for her kindness to others and commitment to the success of programs that helped make Iowa a better place. This award recognizes an individual who encompasses Kay’s outstanding qualities.

Special to 2009 is the HousingIowa Recovery Advocate Award. This award was developed to honor an individual or initiative that substantially assisted the state and its residents through the natural and economic challenges of 2008.

An independent panel of judges deemed the following 2009 HousingIowa Award winners:

• Multifamily Development
  Fairmont Pines, Davenport
  Contact: Debbie Fisher, 515-698-9701

• Single-Family Development
  Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, Iowa City
  Contact: Mark Patton, 319-337-8949

• Special Needs Housing Development
  Community Based Services, Waverly
  Contact: Michelle Vogt: 319-352-2990

• Second Annual Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award
  Joe O’Hern, Iowa Finance Authority
  Contact: Ashley Jared: 515-725-4934

• HousingIowa Recovery Advocate Award
  Aegon USA, Cedar Rapids
  Contact: Rosie Hannen, 319-355-8887

More information about the HousingIowa Conference is available at www.IowaFinanceAuthority.gov

The Iowa Legislature created The Iowa Finance Authority, the state’s housing finance agency, in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low- and moderate-income Iowans. Since then, IFA’s role has grown to include nearly 50 affordable housing and water quality programs. IFA is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to finance, administer, advance and preserve affordable housing and to promote community and economic development for Iowans.

Contact:
Ashley Jared
515.725.4934