The Fort Peck Homes II project, developed by the Fort Peck Housing Authority (FPHA) of Poplar, Montana, was honored today as this year’s Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award winner in the rural housing category at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The project built 24 new single-family homes on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation to help address the housing needs of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. FPHA completed the project in 2013.
The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) administers the Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards, and the program is in its 21st year of recognizing the most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties.
“Seeing the results of this great project makes our job worthwhile,” said Rena Williams, FPHA occupancy supervisor. “I think the families are really happy with the homes because they are different.”
The project is exceptional because FPHA leveraged private investment and community support to bring high quality, affordable, energy-efficient homes to existing neighborhoods on its rural reservation. Tribal families, who had previously lived in overcrowded and substandard homes, now enjoy safe, energy-efficient housing. The residents enjoy colorful facades, attached garages with storage space, individual lawns, covered front patios, and paved driveways and walkways. Upon entering the units, they are greeted with tall ceilings, abundant natural light, and hardwood-inspired vinyl flooring. The homes are within walking or biking distance of several major employers, government services, community amenities and public transportation.
Travois, a family-owned small business based in Kansas City, Missouri, served as the development consultant and was also architect on the project through Travois Design & Construction Services. Travois nominated FPHA for this honor and continues to serve FHPA to help keep the homes occupied with families who qualify under the LIHTC program rules.
“Seeing the smiling faces of children who live in these homes is truly rewarding,” said Bryan Schuler, Travois vice president for housing development. “We congratulate the staff at the Fort Peck Housing Authority for their hard work, persistence, and commitment to making a difference for their tribal members. This project shines and is truly deserving of this important national recognition.”
Each year, Edson Awards are presented to the most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties in seven categories. Projects are judged on location, services provided to the residents, unique design, community support, financing and cost containment.
About the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit is American’s main tool for creating and preserving affordable housing for hardworking families, veterans, people with special needs, seniors, teachers, nurses, firefighters and police officers, among others. Since its creation in 1986, the LIHTC has represented the best of public-private partnerships, bringing into communities $100 billion in private capital to finance 2.7 million quality, affordable apartments, producing or preserving 90,000 to 95,000 homes and supporting 96,000 jobs each year.
About AHTCC
Founded in 1988, the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition is a trade organization of housing professionals who advocate for affordable rental housing financed using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). For-profit and non-profit members — including syndicators, investors, developers, legal and accounting professionals and sate allocation agencies — seek to preserve, expand and improve the LIHTC and complementary programs through legislative outreach and education. Please visit www.taxcreditcoalition.org for more information about joining AHTCC.