Missoula Housing Group Wins National Planning Award

By Headwaters News, 9-29-06

A Vermont-based foundation has named homeWORD, a Montana-based affordable housing nonprofit, as the winner of the foundation’s inaugural PLACEMATTERS Innovator in Place Award. The award is part of the PLACEMATTERS06 planning conference, to be held next month in Denver, Colorado.

“Though a small organization in staff and budget, homeWORD has managed to do remarkable things, not only for Montana, but the field of sustainable development in general,” said William Shutkin, President and CEO of the Orton Family Foundation in a press release sent out this morning. “homeWORD represents the kind of commitment to place and people that is the starting point for civic innovation, and for the livable, affordable and vibrant communities we all seek.”

homeWORD has become a national leader in the world of affordable, sustainable housing. The nonprofit uses innovative and replicable methods to develop affordable housing and asset-building strategies for low-income citizens and their families. The organization has helped build residential communities in Montana that blend affordability and holistic, environmental building practices. The communities offer both rental units and units that people can buy, employing financing techniques designed to offer safer and affordable purchasing option that allow buyers to build equity and credit.

“We are honored to be given the PLACEMATTERS award,” said Program Manager Betsy Hands. “homeWORD has worked for more than 10 years in Missoula to promote the importance of involving neighbors in the design of affordable housing and foster a sense of place that respects the uniqueness of each neighborhood. This award demonstrates a growing commitment to affordable housing that fits into a neighborhood and is a part of the sustainable development of a community.”

As part of the award, homeWORD will receive a $10,000 cash prize. For more information on the conference and the Innovator in Place Award, visit http://www.placematters.org.

This story was also published on Headwaters News. [End of article]