Annual HUD Secretary’s Opportunity and Empowerment Award: Family Scholar House, Louisville, Kentucky

Regina C. Gray
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

For the past two decades, HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) and the American Planning Association (APA) have partnered to recognize planning development projects that have truly transformed the community into one that is livable and resilient. The HUD Secretary’s Opportunity and Empowerment Award recognizes communities that have implemented creative and effective strategies to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents. The award emphasizes how creative housing, economic development, and private investments can be used in or with a comprehensive community development plan to build social equity and empower individuals and families who reside in that community. Nominees must demonstrate how they respond effectively to those challenges while simultaneously and effectively addressing community needs; this is done by expanding affordable housing and transportation options and enhancing economic competitiveness through sound and equitable development practices. PD&R recently completed a review of the nominations for the annual HUD Secretary’s Opportunity and Empowerment Award. The jury received six applications, deliberated in late fall, and recommended the Family Scholar House (FSH) in Louisville, Kentucky, as this year’s award recipient.