FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDS
The annual awards, presented by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, honor affordable housing champions — individuals, projects, or organizations who have made exceptional contributions to create or support affordable housing in Washington state.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Margret Sevy Lifetime Achievement Award
Honoring individuals who over the course of their career have shown remarkable and sustained leadership and made an impactful contribution to affordable housing in Washington state.
Friend of Housing Awards
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Emerging Leader: Honoring individuals new to the housing industry (under 3 years) who show exemplary leadership in their organization or community.
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Racial Equity Initiative: Honoring initiatives that address, in a demonstrably effective way, systemic racism in the housing industry.
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Empowering Housing Residents: Honoring initiatives or programs (multifamily or single-family) that are resident-led or that have resulted in residents becoming engaged and active in improving their community.
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Community Crisis Response: Honoring individuals, organizations or initiatives in the affordable housing field that have successfully responded to a community crisis, such as disaster, pandemic, major defunding, or other unexpected event.
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Housing Intersection: Honoring those who work outside the affordable-housing field and whose work has positively impacted affordable housing production, management, resident well-being, etc.
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Unsung Hero: Honoring someone who may not occupy a position high in profile or leadership, but whose efforts behind the scenes have had a far-reaching impact.
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Housing Inclusion: Honoring initiatives that reduce housing barriers (whether rental or homeownership) for those who have been traditional marginalized by race, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or other reason.
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Sustainable Housing: Honoring people or initiatives that focus on environmentally sustainable housing in such areas as construction, energy efficiency, property management, etc.
Nominees are evaluated based on their active commitment over the previous twelve months in:
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Innovation, leadership, creativity, and/or partnership that goes above and beyond the nominee's job duties.
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Specific examples, quantified results, and other details that show the nominee's impact.
COFFEE TALK WITH 2022 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Friday, October 28, 2022
Coffee Talk
With Maureen Howard, Nancy Nash-Mendez, and Representative Frank Chopp
2021 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Friday, October 28
Coffee Talk
with Maureen Howard, Nancy Nash-Mendez, and Representative Frank Chop
Margaret Sevy Lifetime Achievement Award
Maureen Howard
One of the earliest voices sounding the alarm as homelessness emerged in the 1980s, Maureen has spent the last 40 years as a highly effective advocate, leader of shelter and service organizations, and teacher and mentor for others. She has contributed immeasurably to the fight to end homelessness statewide and especially in Tacoma/Pierce County.
2021 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Friday, October 28
Coffee Talk
with Maureen Howard, Nancy Nash-Mendez, and Representative Frank Chop
Community Crisis Response Award
Nancy Nash-Mendez
As the executive director of the Housing Authority of Okanogan County, Nancy led her community through the crises of multiple natural disasters and the closure of a lumber mill where jobs were lost. Nancy secured financing to preserve 154 units of affordable housing and is in collaboration with Methow Housing Trust to construct rental housing and affordable single-family homes.
2021 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Friday, October 28
Coffee Talk
with Maureen Howard, Nancy Nash-Mendez, and Representative Frank Chop
Housing Intersection Award
Representative Frank Chopp
Rep. Chopp’s leadership secured over 80 organizations across the state to sponsor the bi-partisan Apple Health & Homes Act. This program at the intersection of housing and health care is an investment in permanent housing plus supportive services for people who have experienced chronic homelessness and who have complex health or behavioral health conditions.
Friday, November 4, 2022
Coffee Talk
With Antonia Medrano, Bremerton Housing Authority, and Terry Britt
2021 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Emerging Leader Award
Antonia Medrano
As a housing counselor with the OIC of Washington, Antonia helps families facing foreclosure to keep their homes. She has earned certifications in foreclosure and financial counseling and leads financial workshops for young people. Her dedication to teammates and clients sets the bar high and gives hope for the future of housing.
2021 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Community Crisis Response Award
Bremerton Housing Authority
Thanks to BHA’s research-based challenge to HUD fair-market calculations, the percentage of Kitsap County rentals affordable to people with rental vouchers increased from 10% to 40%. Additionally, BHA is working with landlords to help them understand the voucher program and open even more doors for these renters.
2021 FRIEND OF HOUSING AWARDEES
Unsung Hero Award
Terry Britt
As a peer support Specialist for Spokane County’s Housing & Recovery Through Peer Services Program, Terry proactively works with property managers to secure housing for his clients, who often have many barriers to housing. Terry helps ease the process by assisting with all the steps necessary to attain a unit—helping his client to succeed and the property to have a great tenant.