The Affordable Housing Finance (AHF) annual Readers’ Choice Awards honor and recognize outstanding affordable housing developments nationally in ten categories. Each project is unique and highlights the diverse range of affordable housing for families, seniors, formerly homeless individuals and those with special needs. We are thrilled to share three of Cinnaire’s investments – Restoring Waters, Brooke Street Lofts and Rise on 7 – have been named 2024 AHF Readers’ Choice Award Winners!
“The AHF Readers’ Choice Awards recognize the very best in affordable housing developments across the nation, highlighting not only the need for innovation but also the pivotal role affordable housing plays in driving social change,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire President and CEO. “Restoring Waters, Brooke Street Lofts and Rise on 7 exemplify the best of the best, offering life changing social services, showcasing excellence in historic preservation, and demonstrating the powerful impact that can occur when communities come together to invest in families by combining affordable housing with affordable childcare, creating a foundation for lasting success. We are grateful to AHF readers for their support and for voting these projects to victory.”
Permanent Supportive Housing Winner: Restoring Waters – St. Paul, MN
Developer: Project for Pride in Living
Restoring Waters offers home to more than 60 formerly homeless individuals and small families in a supportive housing residence, and provides the foundation for every person to heal, recover, and build a more stable and harmonious future. 
The state-of-the-art development incorporates the key features of a trauma-informed dignity and respect for residents, safety, and privacy, inviting spaces, and a sense of stability and security. Emma Norton provides wrap-around supportive services to each resident, including case management, peer support, mental health support, and other enrichment programming. Case managers work directly with residents to develop individualized plans for their goals and what services they want to utilize. The goal is for each resident to achieve healing and wholeness through stability, self-acceptance, and empowerment. Cinnaire, in partnership with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, provided a $6.5 million LIHTC investment to support Restoring Waters.
See video on The Living Room at Emma Norton – providing support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Historic Rehab Winner: Brooke Street Lofts – Fond du Lac, WI
Developer: Commonwealth Development Corp. and Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development
Brooke Street Lofts, the historic renovation of the former Northern Casket Co. and Winnebago Cheese Factory, offers 62-units of affordable homes near downtown Fond du Lac. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments maintain a unique historic character mixed with new, contemporary finishes and conveniences.
The spacious homes include extra storage, energy-efficient appliances, in-home washer and dryer and more. Residents enjoy access to a community room with kitchenette, business and fitness centers, large green spaces and a playground. Originally built in 1919, the $20 million adaptive reuse was supported with a $10.6 million LIHTC investment from Cinnaire.
Mixed-Use Winner: Rise on 7 – St. Louis Park, MN
Developer: CommonBond Communities
Rise on 7 includes the new construction of 120 units of affordable housing in a mixed-use building with space reserved for an early childhood center and outdoor play area. The vision of the project was to serve as a source of support for low-income families, offering high-quality homes paired with onsite childcare services to support the needs of families with young children. 
The Rise Early Learning Center is committed to providing high-quality early childhood education to under-resourced families, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive, and prepares children and families for school readiness in a safe environment that encourages exploration, active learning and affirmation. Cinnaire, in partnership with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, provided a $14.8 million LIHTC investment to support the project.
