2006 Best in American Living Award Winners

From: HUD USER News
 
As part of the annual Best in American Living Award,
U.S. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, in partnership with
Professional Builder magazine and the National
Association of Home Builders (NAHB), announced winners
of the HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence at the 63rd
annual NAHB International Builders' Show in Orlando,
Florida in February 2007. The three winners are:
 
Delaware Street Project
Indianapolis, Indiana
 
The Delaware Street Project is a two-block redevelopment
project in Indianapolis, Indiana that is attracting
outside investors and creating homeownership
opportunities for low- to moderate-income families. The
area is transitioning from a deteriorated urban
neighborhood to one with attractive homes that are true
to the traditional architectural fabric. The Delaware
Street Project has contributed to this transition with
the purchase of vacant lots on which 13 new single-
family homes have been built. The new homes range in
size from 1500 to 1800 square feet and incorporate
features that make them durable and energy efficient.
 
Block Build Project
Elgin, Illinois
 
The Block Build Project in Elgin, Illinois reflects city
and county goals to maintain high-quality affordable
housing that blends into existing neighborhoods. Block
Build consists of five homes planned and designed by
undergraduate architecture students and built with
donated materials, volunteer labor, and homebuyer sweat
equity. The completed homes demonstrate how infill
development can fit into and enhance a traditional
neighborhood. Built for durability, low cost, and ease
of maintenance, the homes in the Block Build Project are
available to homebuyers whose incomes fall between 30
and 60 percent of the area median income.
 
Vale Housing Revitalization Project
Schenectady, New York
 
A community of partners that included local and state
governments, residents, and nonprofit organizations
developed the Vale Housing Revitalization Project in
Schenectady, New York. Their plan to improve
homeownership opportunities in a blighted neighborhood
led to a unique strategy of converting three abandoned
two-unit houses into single-family homes for large
families, which proved to be feasible and cost
effective. All three renovated homes were sold to
families with incomes below 80 percent of the area
median income. The homebuyers received counseling
assistance on purchasing and maintaining a home, closing
costs and downpayment assistance, and access to
affordable lending products.
 
More information about the Secretary's Awards Program is
available at www.huduser.gov/portal/about/secaward.html.
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