Washington, D.C. – The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) today announced that Woodlawn Station in Chicago, Illinois, is a 2021 recipient of the Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in the Large Metropolitan category, recognizing affordable housing developments and organizations that have demonstrated impactful use of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit).
Presented annually, the Edson Awards honor Housing Credit developments that strengthen communities, improve resident opportunities and support economies in urban, suburban and rural areas across the country. This year, the awards coincide with Congress’ consideration of budget reconciliation legislation that would make major investments in housing infrastructure – at a time when communities nationwide face ongoing economic challenges and housing insecurity from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The success of Woodlawn station would not be possible without federal grants, Affordable Housing Tax Credits, private investment, willing nonprofits, and a community engaged in working together to bring this project to life,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “As we look to enact some of the most consequential social investments of our time, we ought to keep projects like Woodlawn Station, communities like Woodlawn, at the top of mind. This is what is possible when we invest in communities, and we give groups like POAH the resources necessary to bring these projects to fruition. To everyone who had a role in Woodlawn Station, thanks. I hope we can replicate this success, so every family has a safe and healthy place to call home.”
Celebrating the winning property, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) wrote, “I applaud POAH for taking the initiative and working hard to build Woodlawn Station over the last twelve years. Your vision to revitalize the City of Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood via the provision of affordable housing uplifts people and families and enables them to thrive in society. Thank you for providing 70 much-needed affordable homes for very low income households and working families in a community with a great need for affordable housing. Additionally, I commend you for providing residents of Woodlawn Station with a plethora of services through POAH’s Woodlawn Resource Center. By providing social services to people and opportunities for employment and workforce development for the whole community, you equip individuals with the essential skills and tools to succeed.”
U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush (D-Illinois) wrote of the property, “The Woodlawn Station housing complex serves as a wonderful example of how economic investment and affordable housing can co-exist for the benefit of underserved communities… I commend POAH’s Woodlawn Choice Neighborhoods initiative for using tax credit funding in such an impactful manner. I hope other affordable housing organizations take this great blueprint you created and use it to implement more investment opportunities anchored by the transportation system in our city.”
“Affordable homes developed with the Housing Credit prove that an effective solution exists for the housing crisis that continues to impact communities and families nationwide,” said AHTCC Executive Director Emily Cadik. “This year we are awarding properties serving veterans, individuals suffering from opioid addiction, and low-income senior citizens, in addition to outstanding affordable housing preservation efforts and new construction built to meet the needs of surrounding communities. These are just a few examples of what the Housing Credit achieves every day to provide much-needed affordable housing.”
Woodlawn Station, developed by Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. (POAH), provides affordable housing in a 4-story development with beautifully designed and sustainable architecture, providing 70 homes to low-income and working families in the Woodlawn area. Development was financed using the 9 percent Housing Credit, and investment for the property was provided by JP Morgan Chase. Seventeen homes in Woodlawn Station are reserved for households earning at or below 30 percent of the Area Median income (AMI), and 14 of those are reserved for households earning at or below 30 percent of AMI who also have a head of household with a disability or illness. An additional 18 units are set at 50 percent AMI.
Since 1986, the Housing Credit has financed more than three million homes for low-income households, including and formerly homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, veterans of the armed forces, and senior citizens. Through public-private partnerships, the Housing Credit offers a proven track record of financing safe, modern and well-designed affordable homes in communities where they are needed most.
“The Edson Award winners this year demonstrate the flexibility of the Housing Credit to meet the needs of households and communities from Eagle River, Alaska; to Wichita Falls, Texas; to Chicago, Illinois,” said Matt Josephs, AHTCC Board President and Senior Vice President for Policy for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. “As we continue to confront the impact of the pandemic, it is vital that tools like the Housing Credit are enhanced and strengthened, so that we can better address our national housing crisis that grows more urgent by the day.”
For more information about the 2021 Edson Awards, please visit taxcreditcoalition.org/edson-awards/