Missoula Housing Authority Receives 3 National Awards
MISSOULA – Tuesday, October 22, 2024 – The Missoula Housing Authority (MHA) announced today that it received three Awards of Merit during the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) conference, which was held September 25-28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.
Two Awards of Merit were presented to MHA for Innovation in Resident and Client Services in the category of Special Needs Housing and Social Services Programs.
Blue Heron Place – Alongside co-owner Homeword, MHA developed Blue Heron Place using the permanent supportive housing model which combines rental assistance and wrap-around services designed to help residents succeed in maintaining housing. In combination with project-based vouchers from MHA, residents receive on-site case management and mental health support 24 hours a day from Partnership Health Center, a federally qualified health center and the Poverello Center.
Valor House – In 2023, Missoula Housing Authority successfully converted Valor House from transitional housing to permanent housing for Veterans experiencing homelessness. Twenty HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers and the local HUD-VASH team made this transition possible.
“The collaboration between MHA and VA HUD-VASH has ensured veterans, who have previously experienced homelessness, have comfortable, affordable, safe, permanent housing with supportive VA services,” HUD-VASH Case Manager Erick Kahila said. “VA HUD-VASH’s approach prioritizes getting a Veteran into housing and then assists the Veteran with access to health care and other supports that promote stable housing and improved quality of life.”
One Award of Merit was presented to MHA for Innovation in Affordable Housing.
Villagio – Opened in 2023, Villagio’s 200 units provide affordable housing for more than 600 Missoulians. MHA is one of 20 organizations in the country to receive a NAHRO Award of Merit for Innovation in Affordable Housing in 2024.
“These national awards of merit reflect the efforts made by the Missoula Housing Authority and our partners to provide creative housing solutions. Being recognized for innovation in design and services is a great honor for our hard-working staff," said Sam Oliver, MHA Executive Director. "MHA has a commitment to the community to continue to innovate, accommodate, and plan for smart growth in our housing portfolio.”
The NAHRO Agency Awards Program gives national recognition to the achievement and innovation of NAHRO agency/organizational members for their innovative housing and community development projects, programs, and services. These awards provide additional opportunities to inform the public of the best in housing and community development; and to create a resource bank of information on significant innovative activities performed by housing and redevelopment agencies and community development departments. Information from award recipients is also used to support NAHRO’s positions at HUD and in Congress.
For more information on Missoula Housing Authority’s winning programs, please visit www.missoulahousing.org.
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About MHA
The Missoula Housing Authority is an independent nonprofit public organization and the largest housing authority in Montana with a portfolio of 1,178 rent-restricted apartments and 1,200 rental assistance vouchers, providing affordable housing to more than 4,500 very low-, low and middle-income veterans, families with children, elderly and disabled, foster youth and homeless, as well as working Missoulians. MHA has been creating stable, affordable housing since 1978. For more information, visit www.missoulahousing.org.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. NAHRO members administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people.
Media Contact
Sara Stout
(406) 549-4113, ext. 727#
sara@missoulahousing.org
www.missoulahousing.org