Awards
NAHRO recognizes both individuals and agencies who have bettered the affordable housing and community development industry.
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 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.
Deadline Extended: August 15, 2023
The International Research and Global Exchange Award
The International Research and Global Exchange Award, formerly known as the John D. Lange International Award, acknowledges a person who has made contributions to the international community.
Deadline Extended: July 26, 2023
Commissioner of the Year Award
The Commissioner of the Year Award, formerly known as the Elizabeth B. Wells Memorial Award, celebrates the accomplishments and service of an outstanding commissioner.
Deadline: August 4, 2023
NAHRO’s Advocacy Award
NAHRO’s Advocacy Award, formerly known as the Mary K. Nenno Advocacy Award, pays homage to the recipient whose outstanding achievement and efforts reflect the importance of affordable housing and community development initiatives.
Deadline for applications: February 2, 2024
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.
Deadline for pre-approved nominees to submit their applications is July 31, 2023.
Emerging Leader Award
Emerging Leader Award highlights an individual who has been involved in NAHRO at the national, regional and/or chapter levels for at least five years and has distinguished him/herself as an Emerging Leader.
Deadline extended: August 15, 2023
Roll of Achievers
Roll of Achievers showcases residents who have made noteworthy efforts to improve as an individual or as a member of the community. Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Recipients of the Emerging Leader, Outstanding Professional of the Year, International Research and Global Exchange and Commissioner of the Year awards will be honored at NAHRO’s National Conference.
Awards for Agencies
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.
Awards of Merit
These Awards are available to member agencies to showcase their innovative programs. The Merit Award winners are featured during the Summer Conference. A Members-Only searchable Awards Best Practices Database includes the winning Merit Award entries since 2000. The current Awards of Merit catalog is available here.
The 2024 Awards of Merit Application period will open on January 16, 2024.
Awards of Excellence
Nominated from among the Award 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.