Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. is honored to share a news release announcing The Livingston in Columbus, OH, was named winner for the prestigious Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards as top affordable housing development in the Senior Category. US Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (Ohio’s 3rd District) will present this award today in Washington DC to Jeffrey J. Woda.
From Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2021FROM Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
The Livingston in Columbus Honored with
Affordable Housing Award From National Coalition
27th Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award recognizes best in affordable housing
Washington, D.C. – The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) today announced that The Livingston in Columbus, Ohio, is a 2021 recipient of the Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in the Senior Citizens category, recognizing affordable housing developments and organizations that have demonstrated impactful use of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit).
Presented annually, the Edson Awards honor Housing Credit developments that strengthen communities, improve resident opportunities and support economies in urban, suburban and rural areas across the country. This year, the awards coincide with Congress’ consideration of budget reconciliation legislation that would make major investments in housing infrastructure – at a time when communities nationwide face ongoing economic challenges and housing insecurity from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Columbus needs more affordable senior housing, and the Livingston provides 45 high quality affordable homes for senior citizens living in Columbus,” said Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). “This property would not have been made possible without the use of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, one of our most important tools to build more rental homes that people can afford. Thank you to Woda Cooper Companies, to Gertrude Wood Community Foundation, to LifeCare alliance, the City of Columbus and Franklin County for your commitment to expanding affordable housing for our citizens, and congratulations on receiving this very well-deserved, distinguished award.” Senator Rob Portman also shared his congratulations via a letter.
“Affordable homes developed with the Housing Credit prove that an effective solution exists for the housing crisis that continues to impact communities and families nationwide,” said AHTCC Executive Director Emily Cadik. “This year we are awarding properties serving veterans, individuals suffering from opioid addiction, and low-income senior citizens, in addition to outstanding affordable housing preservation efforts and new construction built to meet the needs of surrounding communities. These are just a few examples of what the Housing Credit achieves every day to provide much-needed affordable housing.”
The Livingston, co-developed by Woda Cooper Companies, Inc., Gertrude Wood Community Foundation and LifeCare Alliance, is a combination of new construction and restored architectural components from a neighborhood landmark in Columbus, Ohio—the Art Deco Livingston Theater, originally built in 1940 and previously located on the site of The Livington. The property now provides 45 affordable one- and two-bedroom homes for residents 55 years of age or older with household incomes 30 to 80 percent of Area Median Income. The 9 percent Housing Credit was used to finance the property, with investment provided by Key Community Development Corporation. Transforming the Livingston Theater into modern, affordable housing provided a functional and timely revitalization of a historic landmark and iconic cultural site, while providing much-needed homes for Columbus’ senior citizens.
Since 1986, the Housing Credit has financed more than three million homes for low-income households, including and formerly homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, veterans of the armed forces, and senior citizens. Through public-private partnerships, the Housing Credit offers a proven track record of financing safe, modern and well-designed affordable homes in communities where they are needed most.
“The Edson Award winners this year demonstrate the flexibility of the Housing Credit to meet the needs of households and communities from Eagle River, Alaska; to Wichita Falls, Texas; to Milwaukee, Wisconsin,” said Matt Josephs, AHTCC Board President and Senior Vice President for Policy for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. “As we continue to confront the impact of the pandemic, it is vital that tools like the Housing Credit are enhanced and strengthened, so that we can better address our national housing crisis that grows more urgent by the day.”
For more information about the 2021 Edson Awards, please visit taxcreditcoalition.org/edson-awards/.
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About the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
Founded in 1988, AHTCC is a trade organization of housing professionals who advocate for affordable rental housing financed using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). AHTCC’s for-profit and non-profit members—including syndicators, investors, lenders, developers, legal and accounting professionals and state allocating agencies—seek to preserve, expand and improve the Housing Credit and complementary programs through legislative outreach and education.
About Charles L. Edson
The Edson Awards are named for Charles L. Edson, an affordable housing luminary who was Transition Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Carter, served in the Office of the General Counsel at HUD and served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Housing and Development Reporter for nearly 40 years.
