July 8, 2008
Contact: Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, eangell@nw.org
NeighborWorks® America Names 2008 Government Service Award Recipients —
Honors Federal, State, and Local Officials for Achievements in Affordable Housing and Community Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today NeighborWorks America announced its 2008 NeighborWorks Government Service Award recipients, an honor that recognizes elected or appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of the people in their communities through support for affordable housing and community development.
The 2008 NeighborWorks Government Service Award recipients are:
- U.S. Representative James Walsh (R-NY), Lifetime Achievement Award: After 30 years of public service, including 20 years serving in the House of Representatives, Congressman James Walsh announced his retirement on January 24, 2008. Congressman Walsh has served on the House Appropriations Committee for several years and chaired four subcommittees including the former House Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs. During his chairmanship, Congressman Walsh created the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative which has utilized nearly $50 million to expand housing opportunities, increase neighborhood investment and improve citizen involvement in Syracuse.
- U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Federal Government Service Award: Sen. Landrieu has been an unwavering advocate for Gulf Coast recovery and housing needs. Her many efforts include co-sponsorship of the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act, which encourages the development of smartly-designed, mixed-income communities; an aggressive, far-reaching plan for rebuilding the rental housing stock and creating more affordable housing in New Orleans. In the 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, Senator Landrieu secured funding for 3,000 permanent supportive housing vouchers to help residents in south Louisiana who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. More recently, after CNN revealed that $85 million in FEMA supplies donated for Katrina victims were given away to other agencies, the senator sprung into action to return the supplies to hurricane victims settling into new homes.
- Richard Cordray, Ohio Treasurer of State, State Government Service Award: In a region hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis, Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray has worked tirelessly to unite housing advocates and mount an urgent and tangible statewide response that has produced results. His personal commitment to the issue has led to the creation of the Save Our Homes taskforce, a network of community coalitions that provides mediation and homeowner education. Cordray has also implemented Rebuild Your Credit workshops, which offer counseling for foreclosure victims on how to regain control of their finances. His successful efforts also include the development of a first of its kind court-based foreclosure mediation program.
- Charles Meeker, mayor of the City of Raleigh, N.C., Local Government Service Award: Mayor Meeker has been a vocal proponent of affordable housing and downtown revitalization initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring all Raleigh residents benefit from the city's rapid growth and redevelopment efforts. Since 2003, Mayor Meeker has also supported Community Development Block Grant Public Service projects, from which 13 nonprofit and faith-based organizations have received over $650,000 in grants to provide social, educational, and other supportive services to low-income families in the city.
“These individuals have shown unwavering commitment to and support for public policies that advance community revitalization goals,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “Their leadership has helped transform the communities they represent and we are proud to honor them for their invaluable service.”
Honorees have achieved substantive accomplishments that include initiating and implementing public policies and programs that strengthen communities or expand the supply of affordable housing. They are in touch with their constituents – listening to their opinions and working with them to implement strategies and policies that succeed. Their demonstrated commitment and dedication make them stand out as leaders in touch with the people they serve.
“The commitment demonstrated by these leaders at the federal, state and local government levels is ever more important given today’s challenges in the housing market,” said Wade. “The 2008 honorees recognize the cross-cutting impact of community development efforts that create healthy, vibrant communities all are proud to call home.”
Wade commended the award recipients for understanding the far-reaching impact of housing issues on individuals, the local economy and the entire nation. For every dollar spent on quality, affordable housing, $37 are returned in the form of job creation, increased independence and tax contributions, new businesses, and access to higher education.
For more information, visit Government Service Awards, or contact Erin Angell Collins,
202-220-6317 or eangell@nw.org.
About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. www.nw.org.
