Award Honors Top Affordable Housing Developments Nationally
Affordable Housing Finance (AFH) recently announced 36 inspiring developments have been named finalists in this year’s AHF Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. Each project is unique and showcases the range of housing provided for families, seniors, formerly homeless persons, and those with special needs. The projects must have been completed in 2020 or 2021 and this year’s finalists are special because they faced challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Developments were selected based on innovation, impact, and creative problem-solving. Click here to learn more about the finalists.
We are pleased to announce two of Cinnaire’s investments have been selected as finalists for the 2021 AHF Readers’ Choice Awards! We hope you will join us in voting for Andy’s Place and the Abigail Senior Apartments! AHF magazine and newsletter subscribers can vote for the 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards until August 20th.
We extend our congratulations to Milner and Caringella, the Community Action Agency of Jackson, and TWG Development for being recognized as finalist for the AHF Reader’s Choice award. Please join us in voting for Andy’s Place and Abigail Senior Apartments!
Special Needs Finalist – Andy’s Place
Developers: Milner and Caringella and Community Action Agency of JacksonÂ
Andy’s Place in Jackson, MI, is the first Permanent Recovery Supportive Housing (PRSH) development in Michigan, and the first in the nation, designed to address recovery holistically. The PRSH initiative was created in response to the opioid crisis in Michigan. The idea was born to Mike Hirst, a longtime recovery advocate who lost his son to heroin. The Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals championed his idea and a collaboration between Cinnaire, the Michigan Governor’s Office, MSHDA and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) advanced the program from concept to reality. Andy’s Place addresses the need for long-term safe, affordable housing paired with onsite support services for individuals suffering from opioid addiction. Research has shown that a key component to successful recovery is the restoring of families and the program provides the opportunity to keep families together in a safe environment. Andy’s Place provides 50-units of affordable housing with onsite services. Rent is based on income and individuals without an income don’t have to pay.
Andy’s Place offers comprehensive onsite support services, including case management and recovery programs fund and managed by the Michigan Drug Treatment Courts along with recreational and life skills programs, financial health and employment classes, and sober and wellness activities. The Community Action Agency of Jackson (CAA) partners with Andy’s Place to provides a variety of services for residents to achieve housing stability. CAA has formed partnerships with local business owners and manufacturers to provide training and job opportunities.
Historic Rehab Finalist – The Abigail Senior Apartments
Developer: TWG DevelopmentÂ
The Abigail provides 60-units of affordable garden style apartments for low-income seniors in Lansing, MI. The development is a key part of the historic revitalization of the former Michigan School for theBlind, a campus that opened its doors in 1880 to serve blind youth and adults. The campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and counts Motown legend Stevie Wonder as an alumnus. The school closed in 1996 and the buildings remained vacant for years. Cinnaire, in partnership with the Ingham County Land Bank, committed to redeveloping the campus and returning it to a vibrant facility supporting healthy communities.
TWG Development retained the original historic structure. Restoration work included limestone cleaning, window preservation and installation, preservation of historic architectural design and incorporating energy efficiency elements to achieve National Green Building Standards Silver Certification. The project aligns with the Design Lansing Comprehensive Plan, promoting green development, green leadership, and environmentally friendly, walkable community. The development features an onsite property manager, library, community room, business center/computer center, tot lot, video surveillance, free bike share program, and fitness center.
