Affordable housing development depends on both a pipeline of qualified developers and access to financing programs that help projects move forward. The Illinois Housing Development Authority has received two national awards recognizing initiatives aimed at strengthening those areas, including training for emerging rental housing developers and an organizational program focused on employee engagement.
The awards were presented Oct. 5 at the 2026 National Council of State Housing Agencies annual conference in Detroit. IHDA received honours in the rental housing and management innovation categories.
IHDA’s Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative, known as Next Gen, received recognition in the category for encouraging new rental housing construction and promoting preservation.
Launched in 2023, the program prepares emerging developers to participate in affordable housing development and compete for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a major financing mechanism for rental housing projects across the United States.
Training covers development team formation, deal structuring, IHDA programs and property management. Participants also receive coaching and opportunities to build industry relationships.
Seven program alumni have secured LIHTC awards through IHDA and Chicago’s Department of Housing. Those awards provide a measurable indication of participants’ progress toward delivering affordable housing projects.
For developers entering the sector, the program addresses technical and procedural aspects of affordable housing development, including navigating financing requirements and assembling the teams needed to advance projects.
IHDA also received an award in the human resources category for its Core Values initiative, which establishes five principles to guide workplace practices: People, Teamwork, Equity & Inclusion, Innovation and Respect.
The initiative integrates those principles into hiring, annual performance reviews and employee recognition. The approach is intended to align staff expectations, strengthen engagement and support recruitment and retention.
The recognition reflects an organizational strategy that connects employee development and workplace practices with IHDA’s affordable housing mission.
The awards highlight two areas relevant to affordable housing delivery: building the expertise needed to advance rental projects and strengthening the organizations responsible for financing and supporting those developments.
For developers, access to technical guidance and a better understanding of LIHTC financing can help address barriers encountered when preparing affordable housing proposals. IHDA’s reported awards to seven Next Gen alumni demonstrate progress in moving participants toward funded development opportunities.
For housing agencies and their industry partners, the initiatives provide examples of approaches to developer capacity building and organizational management. Their broader relevance lies in supporting the people and institutional capabilities needed to finance, develop and preserve affordable rental housing.
Source: Illinois Government.
