Veterans, farmworkers, seniors who once lived on the streets, individuals who are blind, hospitality workers priced out of the cities where they toil, and families displaced by natural disasters.
These are among the residents in the 36 communities selected as finalists in Affordable Housing Finance’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. These developments are in small towns and major cities across 17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
They tell the story of the nation’s housing crisis, but they’re also examples of determination and ingenuity, rising against the odds to become someone’s haven. This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards recognizes affordable housing communities built in 2024 or 2025.
Read about the developments in this issue, and then AHF magazine and newsletter subscribers can vote for the winners in nine categories as well as an overall winner at housingfinance.com. Voting takes place starting July 18 through Aug. 13 and is restricted to subscribers as of July 25.
Winners will be recognized at AHF Live: The Affordable Housing Developers’ Summit, Nov 17-19, in Chicago.
Family Finalists
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340+ Dixwell Pioneers Mass Timber in Affordable Housing
The New Haven development brings healthy opportunities to a gentrifying neighborhood.
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Development Serves Tribal Members, Tourism Workers
Forest Edge Apartments brings 40 townhome units to Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
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Las Flores Provides Affordable, Inclusive Housing in Oregon
The new community features a variety of unit sizes for families.
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Phoenix Development Blends Housing and Health Care
The housing community used financing from the state’s Medicaid agency.
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Development Brings Needed Housing to Montana Resort Town
Riverview Apartments is the area’s first affordable housing in decades.
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ShoreLINE Emerges as Model Transit-Oriented Development
Affirmed Housing built the new San Diego community in collaboration with the transit system.
Historic Rehab Finalists
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Senior Living Meets the Arts in This Century-Old School Building
The Briscoe School gets a new life, offering seniors housing and artist live-work spaces for the Beverly, Massachusetts, community.
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Former Film Vault Offers Housing Solution for Minneapolis Indigenous Community
Bimosedaa brings safe, affordable housing opportunities to indigenous residents experiencing homelessness.
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After 50 Years of Vacancy, Mississippi Milk Factory Sees New Life as Senior Housing
The revitalized Carnation Milk Plant offers affordable housing options to Tupelo’s rapidly growing senior population.
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A Tragedy Turns Into Opportunity for Lawrence’s Stone Mill Lofts
Funds from the Columbia Gas explosion settlement power the transformation of an 1840s mill into a state-of-the-art, all-electric apartment community.
Mixed-Use Finalists
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600 Seventh Delivers Housing and Space for Small Businesses in San Francisco
The mixed-use development combines affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, and below-market retail spaces to strengthen community ties and help residents thrive.
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The Eliza Writes a New Story in Manhattan
This development blends affordable housing with a new library and community spaces to create a vibrant hub serving the Inwood neighborhood.
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Nashville Campus Unites Recovery and Housing for Lasting Change
Samaritan Recovery Community partners with developers to create a Nashville campus blending addiction treatment, transitional housing, and affordable apartments—offering new pathways to stability and hope.
Permanent Supportive Housing Finalists
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Detroit Development Offers Housing and Recovery Services
The new community is near employment hubs and other amenities.
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The Lyndia Opens as New England’s Largest Supportive Housing Development
The Boston project reformed city parking policies for affordable housing.
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Nest56 Opens in Denver to Support Youth Exiting Foster Care
Young families are starting out in new affordable apartments with supportive services.
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Solaire Apartments Uses Trauma-Informed Design to Support Residents
Developed by Eden Housing, the Northern California development provides important housing options.
Preservation Finalists
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TCB Preserves Affordable Housing in Downtown Worcester
The reinvestment ensures affordability for 85 renovated micro-units in a rapidly changing central business district.
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A New Era for Haley Sofge 800 in Little Havana
Related Urban Development Group breathes new life into a historic Miami tower, preserving affordable housing for extremely low-income seniors.
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Officials Execute Unique Restore-Rebuild Deal
The Northern California project creates a new model for preservation.
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Community Solutions Converts Market-Rate Development Into Affordable Homes
The San Diego community will serve veterans who have been homeless.
Public Housing Redevelopment Finalists
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Amani and Nia Bring Housing, Health, and Opportunity to San Francisco
Mercy Housing California and Related California celebrate a major milestone in the Sunnydale HOPE SF revitalization with 170 new affordable homes and 25,000 square feet of community-serving space.
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Knoxville Redevelopment Bridges the Divide at First Creek at Austin
The former Austin Homes site is transforming into a thriving mixed-income neighborhood, with the second phase creating 180 units of new housing.
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Rebuilding Resilience at Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion
After devastating hurricane damage in 2017, this $116.4 million redevelopment has transformed a Virgin Islands public housing community.
Rural Finalists
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Hawkins Pointe Weathers Hurricane Holdups to Serve North Carolina Community
The affordable housing development triumphed despite many snags in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
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Historic School Gets New Life as Senior Housing Development
The Hill Street School Apartments offers much-needed affordable housing options to seniors in Globe, Arizona.
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1890s Mill Brings Much-Needed Housing to Charlotte-Area Community
After several failed attempts from other developers, WinnCompanies’ funding expertise helped it rise to the top in revitalizing a Bessemer City landmark.
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Emerging From the Ashes: Paradise Gardens Senior Community Prevails in Post-Wildfire California
The 2018 Camp Fire may have decimated this affordable housing complex, but one developer was determined to bring it back to life.
Seniors Finalists
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Garden Towers Brings Sustainable, Affordable Senior Living to the Bronx
The 150-unit development offers safe, service-rich homes for low-income and formerly homeless seniors amid New York City’s housing crunch.
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Heritage Square South Delivers Hope and Housing for Formerly Homeless Seniors in Pasadena
BRIDGE Housing’s 70-unit community offers permanent supportive housing, intensive services, and sustainable design for extremely low-income older adults.
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Kimball Highland Blends Intergenerational Living and Health Care in National City
Community HousingWorks’ 145-unit development anchors affordable housing with a new senior center and a PACE health facility, fostering connection and wellness for families and older adults.
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The Pryde Reimagines Historic Boston School as LGBTQ-Affirming Senior Housing
New England’s first LGBTQ-friendly affordable senior community features 74 homes, tailored services, and restored community space.
Urban Finalists
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Ancora Place Uplifts Neighborhood With New Housing
The Oakland project also supports neighboring cultural hubs.
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First LIHTC-Funded Housing for the Blind Opens in Chicago
The development is also the first multifamily community in the Illinois Medical District.
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San Francisco Development Sets a New Standard for Accessibility
The new community puts residents in the heart of the city.
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Atlanta Housing Development Opens Next to Health Care
The new community includes respite and permanent supportive housing.
