WHEDA-financed Jacob Brown Veterans Manor in Green Bay wins national award

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has received an honorable mention from the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition at the 22^nd Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Awards in Washington, D.C.

The WHEDA-financed Jacob Brown Veterans Manor in Green Bay has been selected by the Coalition’s panel of judges for an honorable mention in the Special Needs Housing category for this year’s Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards competition (the Edsons). 

“I’m delighted to receive this prestigious award that honors the very best Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments in the United States,” said WHEDA Executive Director Wyman Winston.  “WHEDA is proud to have played a key role in the construction of a first-rate facility that provides safe, stable housing for our outstanding veterans who courageously served our country.”

In 2013 and 2014, WHEDA allocated a total of $594,500 in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to help finance the construction of Veterans Manor. The development opened in June 2015 with 50 units of permanent, supportive housing with a preference for veterans.  The Center for Veterans Issues (CVI) provides residents with job coaching, alcohol and drug abuse counseling along with training and awareness to access Veterans Affairs benefits. With the help of WHEDA’s financing, 41 male and 9 female veterans now call Veterans Manor their home.

“This prestigious award honors and reflects the hard work of the honorable men and women who have served our country and now need our help with housing and supportive services,” said Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Robert Cocroft, CVI President. “We at CVI recognize the tremendous commitment to our veterans from WHEDA with the tax credit award and support of this important housing.”

The Edsons convene members of Congress, businesses and organizations each year on Capitol Hill to celebrate Housing Credit developments at the forefront of creating stronger, healthier communities in urban, suburban and rural areas nationwide.

“The Edsons recognize the Housing Credit’s ability to strengthen lives, communities and the economy,” said Anthony J. Alfieri, president of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and honorable mentions. They exemplify how vital the Housing Credit is as the primary source of financing for affordable housing in every city, county and state, and remind us why it must be expanded to meet America’s growing demand for affordable rental housing.”

The Edsons were presented at a Capitol Hill ceremony in the Capitol Building Visitor Center on June 8, 2016.

WHEDA was created in 1972 by the Wisconsin Legislature to provide low‐cost financing for housing, small business and agricultural development.  Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 77,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 120,000 families purchase their first homes and made more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees.  For more information, visit wheda.com or call 1-800-334-6873.