The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recently announced the seven recipients of the prestigious 2014 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions (MACEI Award) and NHC member National Housing Trust (NHT) was among them. NHT received $1 million from the MacArthur Foundation to create an innovation fund that will sponsor policy work.
The MACEI Awards are given every year to organizations that exemplify a body of work or research that mirrors the core values of the MacArthur Foundation. Recipients have exhibited strong leadership and made a measurable impact that is likely to expand into the future. Recipients must also have an implementation plan for expansion or sustainability of programs and the organization as a whole.
NHT earned the award for its continued commitment to preserving affordable rental housing by working to ensure that private rental housing is sustainable and available. NHT accomplishes these goals by offering housing policy solutions and developing and financing affordable housing. NHT has renovated and preserved more than 25,000 affordable rental properties throughout 41 states. These renovations have leveraged over $1 billion in project financing.
Most recently, NHT has joined the green preservation movement, advocating for increased energy efficiency in affordable rental housing nationwide. The organization is leading a state-by-state campaign to convince private utility companies to fund additional energy efficiency projects on existing homes.
“It was unexpected and most appreciated,” NHT President Michael Bodaken told the Washington Post of the award. “It’s not every day you get a gift or an award for doing work you love.”
In addition to NHT, 2014 MACEI Award recipients are: Campaign Legal Center, NatureServe, ProPublica, The Citizen Lab, The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative.