NAHRO Awards
NAHRO recognizes both agencies and individuals who have bettered the affordable housing and community development industry.
Agency Awards
NAHRO provides opportunities for its member agencies to receive national recognition for their innovative housing and community development projects, programs, and services. These awards provide additional opportunities to inform the public of the best in housing and community development; and to create a resource bank of information on significant innovative activities performed by housing and redevelopment agencies and community development departments. Information from award recipients is also used to support NAHRO’s positions at HUD and in Congress.
NAHRO Community Innovation Awards Program (previously the Awards of Merit Program) Awards Application period opens January 20.
These Awards are available to member agencies to showcase their innovative programs. The winners are featured during the National Conference. A Members-only searchable Awards Best Practices Database includes the winning entries since 2000. The current Awards of Merit catalog is available here. 2025 CIAP Reception article here.
Awards of Excellence
Nominated from among the Awards of Merit winners each year, these Awards are chosen by national juries. They represent the very best in innovative programs in assisted housing and community development.
Individual Awards
NAHRO offers a variety of awards and recognition to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the housing and community development field.
NAHRO Advocacy Award
NAHRO’s Advocacy Award recognizes outstanding advocacy outreach programs. NAHRO awards both an individual and an agency level award.
Application Deadline: January 8, 2026
NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year
NAHRO’s most prestigious award honors an exceptionally qualified person who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life through service in the field of housing or community development.
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
Commissioner of the Year Award
The Commissioner of the Year Award celebrates the accomplishments and service of an outstanding commissioner.
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award highlights an individual with outstanding community contributions distinguishing him/herself as a growing industry leader.
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
The International Research and Global Exchange Award
The International Research and Global Exchange Award acknowledges a person who has made significant contributions to the international community.
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
NAHRO Fellowship Program
NAHRO Fellowship Program venerates recipients who have demonstrated exemplary qualities as housing and community development advocates, professionals and/or volunteers.
Current sitting Fellows shall make recommendations for nominations to the other Fellows. Pre-approved nominees will then submit their application for review and final approval.
Application Deadline for Pre-approved nominees only – July 1, 2026.
Roll of Achievers
Roll of Achievers showcases public housing residents who have made noteworthy efforts to improve as an individual or as a member of their community. No application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Contact memberservices@nahro.org for more information.
Recipients of the NAHRO Advocacy Award are honored at NAHRO’s Washington Conference.
Recipients of the International Research and Global Exchange and Commissioner of the Year awards are honored at NAHRO’s Summer Symposium.
Recipients of the Commissioner of the Year, Emerging Leader, Outstanding Professional of the Year awards, and NAHRO Fellows inductees are showcased at NAHRO’s National Conference.