Affordable Housing Finance (AHF) recently announced 32 inspiring developments have been selected as finalists in the 2023 AHF Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards, now in its 19th year, recognize the best affordable housing developments nationally in 10 categories. The projects represent the range of affordable housing being built for families, seniors, farmworkers, veterans, and people with special needs.
Cinnaire is pleased to announce The Meadows, a new construction affordable housing community in Darlington, WI, has been selected as an AHF Readers’ Choice finalists in the rural category. The Landmark in Wausau, WI, has been selected as a finalist in the historic rehab category.
Winners in each category are selected by reader votes. Please join us in voting for The Meadows and The Landmark by clicking here to vote! AHF Magazine and newsletter subscribers can vote online for the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards until August 18th. The winners will be recognized at AHF Live: The Affordable Housing Developers Summit November 13 to 15 in Chicago.
The Meadows
Rural Finalist
Cinnaire Solutions partnered with Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) to develop The Meadows, a new construction affordable housing community designed exclusively to support agriculture and farmworkers and their families. 
Cinnaire provided a $4.1 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) investment to support the project. Key funding partners include USDA Rural Development, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago), United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS), and the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
The Meadows features 32 two- and three-bedroom units in two townhome style buildings. The unique community offers fully appointed apartment homes with large closets, extra storage, spacious kitchen with all appliances and pantry, separate dining, and in-home washer and dryer. Given the large farmworker population in the region, SWCAP is proud to facilitate the Multicultural Outreach Program, a volunteer-led initiative that works with immigrant families, the majority of whom are Latinx farmworkers. Volunteers lead ESL courses and provide advocacy during landlord, employer, or lender dispute. These resources are also available in the community building at The Meadows. Residents also receive support and resources from SWCAP’s Farm Well Wisconsin program, which supports the mental health and wellbeing of Wisconsin farmers.
The Landmark
Historic Rehab Finalist
Originally built as the Hotel Wausau in 1924 and later converted to an apartment complex, the iconic Landmark Building was revitalized to include 94 affordable apartments and 18 office spaces. Developed by Gorman and Company, the nearly $25 million renovation retained the original architectural features and historic charm with apartments featuring modern amenities and light-filled interiors. Cinnaire provided an $11 million LIHTC investment to support the project.
The Landmark includes 73 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom units in an 8-story building. Gorman and Company partnered with
Lutheran Social Services (LSS) to provide services for residents including an onsite coordinator who connects residents with supportive, medical or advocacy services. The ground floor commercial space tenants include Signs to Go, Inner Sleeve, NU Life Song Gospel Oasis and Peking Chine and American Restaurant.
