The NMA Development Award honors outstanding achievement in affordable housing. 2024’s winners were Albany Housing Authority, which revitalized a historic building, and Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, for a unique development that includes student housing as a revenue stream for affordable housing.
Preservation and Progress at Steamboat Square
Albany Housing Authority (AHA) in New York received the Development Award for a Small Agency for their Steamboat Square Revitalization: Phase 1.
During the rehabilitation of a historic high-rise, AHA expanded and improved 51 existing apartments and re-established 30,000 square feet of decommissioned space to create 37 new apartments.
The extensive work at Steamboat Square celebrates the high-rise’s history while making modern improvements to support residents’ quality of life, with a strong commitment to sustainable environmental building.
The Steamboat Square revitalization project was one of the first to receive NYS Clean Energy Incentives funding, only available to projects that incorporate the highest standards in green design.
This design included geothermal heat pumps and conversion from gas to a 100% electric building—one of the few affordable housing complexes in the US to incorporate this feature. These upgrades are expected to result in at least 40% in energy savings.
At the same time, renovations preserved, restored, and replaced masonry, panels, and windows around the exterior, conforming with standards for historic preservation. The four high-rise towers that include the revitalized building were recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to efforts by AHA.
AHA redeveloped Steamboat Square with an eye toward environmental justice. This meant upgrades to heating, cooling, and ventilation; attention to noise mitigation; and bigger units, among other benefits.
In addition, long-term planning for the revitalization project included community input—meetings with residents, neighbors, elected reps, and city staff.
Find Albany Housing Authority at www.albanyhousing.org.
One University Brings Generations Together
In Virginia, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) took an opportunity for true innovation in affordable housing with One University, which consists of multifamily and senior buildings—along with student housing for nearby George Mason University.
One University is the first RAD-converted property to obtain HUD approval for demolition and redevelopment. This allowed FCRHA to completely replace 46 affordable rental townhomes and an obsolete office building with modern, high-quality, energy efficient apartments instead of updating and renovating existing units. Working closely with HUD, FCRHA created a replicable process other RAD properties may follow.
The result was five times the amount of affordable housing: 120 multifamily units and 120 senior units, with a range of affordability up to 60% AMI.
The land was previously tax-exempt; now that it’s owned by private companies, it will generate tax revenue for the county.
Next door to the multifamily and senior housing, 333 units of student housing (with beds for 798 students) will bring in revenue for FCRHA. GMU leases the student housing land at market rate rent; the partnership is anticipated to bring in $700,000 per year for affordable housing.
At One University, multifamily, senior, and student housing are managed separately, but residents of all three enjoy the same community.
Designed to foster independence and social interaction, the property is close to public transportation, groceries, and other shopping. Residents have access to campus amenities in addition to those onsite.
Find Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/housing/fcrha.
We'll announce our Resident Service Award winners in a second blog post later this week. Check back here, subscribe to the blog, or follow us on LinkedIn.
