AHF Announces 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

New affordable housing for seniors 55 and older opened in Hendersonville, North Carolina, in March at a time of need. Hendersonville, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and just south of Asheville, saw widespread damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

Hawkins Pointe, which was under construction by developer Woda Cooper Cos. when the hurricane hit, provides 43 units of housing for seniors earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income. In addition, six of the units have adapted features for residents with mobility, sight, or hearing disabilities.

“I think the impact has been great. The need for housing in that area was already there and then became an even larger issue with the hurricane,” says Clay Cooper, senior vice president and director of development at Woda Cooper Cos. “Forty-three units seem like a lot, but it barely puts a dent in the need there. The hardest work for us starts now—keeping residents happy, maintaining the property, and being a good neighbor for 30, 40, 50 years to come. Our residents are pleased with Hawkins Pointe, and I hope they create good memories for years to come.”

When the development opened, 11 residents had been directly impacted by the hurricane, according to Karen Bernick, director of corporate communications at Woda Cooper Cos.

“Many of them had their lives upended,” she adds. “They were excited to get nested back into a home of their own.”

Hawkins Pointe has been selected as the overall winner in Affordable Housing Finance’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Magazine and newsletter subscribers also voted it as the top development in the rural category.

The aftermath of the hurricane also brought challenges and a sense of community for the team.

“Getting anything in was nonexistent until everything was cleared, and then it was hard because everyone had to prioritize what went where,” says John Petty, project superintendent at Woda Cooper Cos. “We needed transformers, power, lumber, and materials to complete the building. And Western North Carolina lost a brick factory, which hurt everybody. Once everything started moving, everyone was behind.”

The site had no power or internet for weeks after the hurricane, with the construction team falling back on hammers and nails instead of power tools to keep the sitework moving.

And with so many people in need in the area, Petty connected Woda Cooper Cos.’ Columbus, Ohio, headquarters with the BeLoved Asheville nonprofit to fly supplies down to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, where construction workers with trucks and trailers were ready to pick up and deliver to neighbors.

“It was a one massive team effort. Woda did a major push, and I was happy to be part of that team,” Petty adds. “Builders helped the people, the people helped the builders, and suppliers helped the builders. We didn’t complete exactly when we wanted to, but we completed with an outstanding product, and the community was happy.”

The three-story, brick-accented building was designed by architect TightLines Designs and built by Woda Construction. Units feature high-quality finishes and Energy Star appliances. Residents also have access to a lounge, a multipurpose room with a kitchenette, a media room, a fitness center, a computer room, and a gazebo.

In addition, Hawkins Pointe is conveniently located near a hospital and the Hendersonville Family YMCA.

The $11.5 million development was financed with low-income housing tax credit equity and a construction loan from Wells Fargo. Additional financing was provided by West Union Bank and North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.

Cooper adds the city was a great partner throughout the process. 

“The rezoning process is longer than others, but because of it, it creates such great community engagement. The feedback on design helped shape the final product,” he says. “Without the city’s help, Hawkins Pointe wouldn’t have come to fruition.”

AHF’s Readers’ Choice winners will be celebrated at the annual AHF Live conference, Nov. 17 to 19, in Chicago.

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