NHC Receive MacArthur Award

The Washington, D.C.-based National Housing Conference (NHC) and its research wing, the Center for Housing Policy, was one of three national organizations to receive the MacArthur Foundation’s Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

Each organization received up to $650,000 which can be used for a variety of activities including purchasing new office space, developing training and research facilities and technology upgrades. Winners of the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions with operating budgets of $1 million or less receive $350,000. Those with operating budgets between $1 and $2.5 million receive $500,000. And those with operating budgets between $2.5 million and $5 million receive $650,000.

Other US organizations receiving awards include:

1. The Center for Neighborhood Technology based in Chicago, Illinois which uses cutting-edge research to develop transformative approaches to improving the environmental sustainability and economic health of urban areas.
2. The Chicago Community Loan Fund also based in Chicago which provides low-cost, flexible financing and technical assistance, including the promotion of sustainable building practices and good design to small and mid-size real estate developers in the Chicago area.
3. NHC has advocated for affordable housing for more than 75 years. The Center focuses on research and policy reports to better educate policy makers and the public on the affordable housing problem in America.

In announcing the awards, the Foundation emphasized it does not seek or accept nominations. Organizations must demonstrate exceptional creativity and effectiveness; have reached a critical or strategic point in their development; have budgets of less than $5 million per year; show strong leadership and stable financial management; have previously received MacArthur support; and engage in work central to one of MacArthur’s core programs.

Vice President to Speak at Mayors Conference

Vice President Joseph Biden is the headline speaker for the Unites States Conference of Mayors 77th annual conference which will be held in Providence, Rhode Island June 12-16. A review of the draft agenda can be found here. Also expected to speak to the mayors is White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

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