The Design Excellence Awards presented by Multi-Housing News recognize outstanding multi-housing and mixed-use projects. Entries are judged based on a combination of criteria including aesthetics and functionality of exterior and interior architecture, design solution, overall cohesiveness of composition, and (when applicable) landscaping and curb appeal. Entries are due July 31 and will be judged by [...]

Washington, D.C.–With a total allocation of $47.5 billion for the housing sector, the President’s fiscal year 2010 budget restores and increases funding for many key U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. In addition, the economic stimulus law already provides an additional $13.6 billion. These sums compare to the projected 2009 HUD budget [...]

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorIndependence, Ore.—Independence Station, a 57,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development, is on track to become the world’s greenest building with the highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating ever awarded for new construction.At its completion, which is slated for early 2010, Independence Station is expected to earn between 64 and 66 points, [...]

Irvine, Calif.–NWP Services Corp. (NWP) has launched Multifamily Training Central, a new Web-based training/e-learning product that delivers advanced training technologies and services to its multifamily clients. “This is comprehensive web-based training for our clients who are interested in enhancing their NWP on-site training experience and gaining the ability to offer their internal training in a [...]

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorNew York–The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) has appointed F.L. Andrew Padian (pictured) as vice president for energy initiatives.  In his new role, Padian will assist in the implementation of a range of new energy efficiency projects at CPC. He will also train mortgage officers in identifying appropriate efficiency measures and [...]

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorKnoxville, Tenn. and Odessa, Texas–Arbor Commercial Funding LLC recently funded two loans totaling $5,164,500 under the Fannie Mae DUS product line. These loans include: • $3,680,000 under the Fannie Mae DUS product line for a portfolio in Knoxville, Tenn. This is a refinance of non-contiguous properties, Morningside Hills Apartments (pictured) [...]

By Anuradha Kher, Online News Editor Los Angeles–Following the increasing demand for eco-friendly products in the furniture sector, Snaidero USA has added a whole line of “green” cabinets that meet the North-American criteria established by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). The new line is in addition to its existing E1/ISO 14001 certified products.LEED standards [...]

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorChicago—In the last 10 years, two million affordable rental homes have been lost, whether sold, demolished or priced out, said Jonathan Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation, in a teleconference today. Now, in an effort to preserve affordable housing, the Foundation has announced its investment of $32.5 million—$9.5 million in grants [...]

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorNew York–The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine’s housing mission fund recently contributed $200,000 towards 59 affordable housing units at the Avalon Morningside Park (pictured), a 295-unit mixed-income community located at 1 Morningside Drive in New York. Residents began moving in in July 2008. This is the first of [...]

Pam Monroe (pictured) is the president of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) as well as Community Realty Management Inc.’s senior vice president. She has overseen properties throughout the Southeast, in Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the Virgin Islands. She has managed all types of multifamily housing—including conventional properties, Low Income [...]