September 22, awards honoring excellence in affordable housing were presented at the 2010 Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference in Louisville. 

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC), the conference host and state housing finance agency, sponsored the awards to honor builders, nonprofit organizations, and others who have made outstanding contributions to the state’s affordable housing industry in the last year. 

Dave Kreher, executive director of People’s Self-Help Housing, received the 2010 Homeownership Award for his outstanding service and innovative achievement in providing affordable homeownership solutions to Kentuckians.  Due to his forward thinking and green building design, he has creatively made homeownership more affordable over time thanks to more efficient energy consumption.

The 2010 Nonprofit Organization Award was presented to Kentucky River Community Care, which serves an eight-county region including Lee, Owsley, Breathitt, Perry, Leslie, Knott, Letcher, and Wolfe Counties.  Last year, Kentucky River Community Care increased its housing service capacity by doubling the number of households it serves through either case management or housing placement.

Receiving the 2010 Nonprofit Affordable Housing Builder Award was Beattyville Housing and Development Corporation, which serves three of the poorest counties in the nation, according to the 2008 Census.  Beattyville Housing and Development Corporation has used a comprehensive approach to building stronger communities by providing an array of affordable housing options, including new construction of home buyer units, affordable rental units, as well as the rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing and tenant-based rental assistance. 

The Model Group, a property development, construction, and management company, received the 2010 For-Profit Affordable Housing Builder Award.  The Model Group is a leader in historic preservation, mixed-use urban development, senior living communities, and affordable housing.  The organization partnered with several other agencies in the area to assist with a solution to revitalize Covington’s Eastside neighborhood, now referred to as Eastside Revitalization, which includes 114 units and 45 rehabbed historic buildings and created 403 jobs in the process.   

Dona O’Sullivan was posthumously awarded the 2010 Homeless Leadership Award for her efforts while working at the Louisville Metro Human Services Department.  She was a leader in several programs to foster self-sufficiency, such as asset building, education, homeownership, and business development.  When presenting the award, Lori Flanery, a member of the Kentucky Housing Corporation Board of Directors, said, “Dona leaves behind a wonderful legacy of embracing the human spirit that we can all honor, echo, and appreciate.”  Shortly before her passing, a group of her friends established a foundation to continue her work for Louisville’s homeless.  Dona’s husband Had Burdick accepted the award on her behalf.

The Mae Street Kidd Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding public service and made great strides in promoting affordable housing for Kentuckians.  Virginia Peck, who recently retired as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s director of the office of community planning and development in the Louisville Field Office, received this award for her over 40 years of public service.

The recipient of the 2010 Dorothy J. Williams Lifetime Achievement Award, which is awarded to an individual who has devoted much of his or her career to helping make the dream of affordable housing a reality in Kentucky, was Nancy Phares.  Nancy has been working in the affordable multifamily housing finance industry since 1972.  Not only does she help with the development of multifamily housing, she has also been instrumental with obtaining the financing and development of nursing homes and housing for the elderly and disabled. 

Also recognized was Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing for its contributions as a partnering agency in the conference.  Brent Poole, recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, was recognized for his contributions to the affordable housing industry.

“These awards honor service and a commitment to provide affordable housing for Kentuckians,” said KHC’s CEO Richard L. McQuady.  “Our deepest appreciation goes out to all of the past and present award winners and to all of our partners who work every day to provide safe, quality, affordable housing in Kentucky.”