HUD Secretary's Best in American Living Award Winners 1997

In every state in the nation, there has been a fundamental shift in how America creates affordable housing. In the past, affordable housing was generally seen as the sole province of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Today, more affordable housing is being built because local partnerships are able to combine the ingenuity and creativity of private industry with the support of flexible government programs.

HUD is now a catalyst for change in the traditional arena of affordable housing assistance because it supports all elements of America's complex housing industry -- from local governments and non-profit groups to builders, lenders, and product suppliers.

This unofficial alliance of private industry, government, and community interests is an important new force in expanding America's supply of affordable housing. It deserves to be recognized and encouraged. I am delighted that the National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder magazine agree that this alliance deserves national attention, and I am grateful that they have given us the opportunity to present the "HUD Secretary's Awards for Excellence" as part of the prestigious "Best of American Living Awards" (BALA) that are presented each year.

We hope our contribution will add a new dimension to the existing BALA awards programs. The award winners will embody design excellence and affordability, and also demonstrate innovation in building technology, removal of regulatory barriers, or community revitalization. We are pleased to introduce the "HUD Secretary's Awards for Excellence" this year, awards to honor the most innovative men and women -- and effective affordable housing developments -- in the nation today.

PLATINUM AWARD WINNERS

Project Name	Builder	Architect	Developer	Land Planner
The Villas at Jingletown - Oakland, CA	Robert Obayashi	Pyatok Associates	Oakland Community Housing	Hood Design
Henry Horner Rehabilitation - Chicago, IL	New England Builders	New England Builders	New England Builders	Solomon, Cordwell, Buenz, and Associates
Park Avenue - Philadelphia, PA	Hoon Ho Oh Builders and Contractors	Philadelphia Neighborhood Housing Services	Philadelphia Neighborhood Housing Services
Parcel 37 - Seattle, WA	Pentron Corporation	Icon Architecture
Jefferson Mews - Richmond, VA	Community Development Inc. and Eagle Construction of VA Inc.	Winks-Snowa Architect, P.C.	Richmond Better Housing Coalition	UDA Associates

GOLD AWARD WINNERS

Project Name	Builder	Architect	Developer	Land Planner
Dwight Street Homes	GD Turnkey Associates	Nadaskay/Kopelson	GD Turnkey Associates
Berkeley Cohousing - Berkeley, CA	Fine Line Construction	McCamant and Durrett, Architects	Berkeley Cohousing Community
Walnut Park Townhomes - Portland, OR	Glen/Mar Construction and Durham Northwest Construction	Robertson, Merryman, and Barnes	Northeast Community Development Corporation
The Homesteads - Missoula, MT	Shelter West Construction	James Hoffmann and Associates	District XI Human Resource Council	WGM Group
New Colony Village - Elkridge, MD	Schult Homes Corporation	Hackworth Architecture, Planning	Corridor I.L.P.	Hackworth Architecture, Planning
Ellicott Town Center - Buffalo, NY	Norstar Development USA, L.P.	Stieglitz, Stieglitz, Mach	Norstar Development USA, L.P.	Stieglitz, Stieglitz, Mach