January 17, 2007, Alexandria, VA - The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) is recognizing nine property owners and/or managers as winners of its 14th annual 2006 Communities of Quality(tm) Awards. The awards are an acknowledgement of excellence in the physical and financial condition of the properties; the quality of life they offer to residents; the level of resident involvement in planning and problem solving; and the nature of collaborations with other organizations and agencies that contribute to the betterment of the lives of residents and the communities at large.

"Every year the competition gets hotter," said Kris Cook, executive director of NAHMA, which represents affordable housing managers and owners nationwide. "These really are the best of the best." The awards are co-sponsored by The Home Depot Supply(tm), a leading supplier of maintenance and renovation products to the multihousing industry.

The nine winners were chosen from among 44 properties that qualified for the competition after achieving National Recognition from NAHMA as a Community of Quality. This means that they exceeded by 100 points the challenging criteria properties must meet to achieve National Recognition.

Winners of the 14th annual COQ Awards competition are:

• For Exemplary Family Development: oFirst Place: LBK Management, for Lincoln Meadows, Fort Worth, TX oSecond Place: Oxford Properties, Inc., for Oxford Townhomes, Huntsville, AL
• For Exemplary Development for the Elderly: oFirst Place (tie): CMJ Management Co., for Keystone Apartments, Dorchester, MA; and Walton Rehabilitation Health System for Walton Terrace, Augusta, GA oSecond Place: PRD Management, Inc. for Brookside Senior Citizen Apts., Parsippany, NJ
• For Exemplary Development for Residents with Special Needs oFirst Place: PRD Management, Inc., for MSAA Manor Apts., Glassboro, NJ oSecond Place: Walton Rehabilitation Health System for Walton Commons Augusta, GA
• For Outstanding Turnaround of a Troubled Property:
  • First Place: Peabody Properties, Inc., for Mishawum Park Apartments, Charlestown, MA
  • Second Place: First Realty Management for Davis Commons, Brockton, MA

"Few people realize that affordable housing communities can be, and in many cases are, community assets," said NAHMA President Michelle Norris, SHCM, NAHP-e. "The many companies applying for National Recognition and then qualifying for the COQ awards program prove that multifamily housing has progressed to the point where they are exceptionally attractive, well-managed and comfortable homes for people in need of affordable housing."

Mike Hendel, Director of Multifamily Business Development, The Home Depot Supply, said his company is proud to once again be involved in an awards program that recognizes the importance of property maintenance. "Both the exterior and the interior of affordable housing complexes require vigilance if they are to remain attractive and safe. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with NAHMA in an awards program that encourages the affordable housing industry to keep raising the bar in defining high-quality management and upkeep of buildings, grounds and infrastructure," he said.

The COQ awards will be presented at NAHMA's annual winter meeting, March 4-6, 2007, in Washington, D.C.

NAHMA is the leading voice for affordable housing, advocating on behalf of multifamily property owners and managers whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing. NAHMA holds a unique position in the industry as an advocate for professional standards. It supports legislative and regulatory policy that promotes the development and preservation of decent and safe affordable housing. It also is a vital resource for technical education and information and fosters strategic relations between government and industry. Founded in 1990, NAHMA's membership today includes the industry's most distinguished multifamily owners and management companies.

The Home Depot Supply is a leading supplier of maintenance and renovation products to the multihousing industry. With a nationwide network of distribution centers, The Home Depot Supply offers free, next day delivery to 95% of the country for most items. Customers can select from thousands of products, including brand-name plumbing, hardware, appliances, lighting and HVAC merchandise. Everything is offered at low, wholesale prices via catalog or online at www.hdsupply.com. To place an order or receive a free catalog, call 800-431-3000 or go online at www.hdsupply.com. For more information, contact a Home Depot Supply representative or Mike Hendel, Multifamily Industry Development, at 858-831-2357 or mike_hendel@homedepot.com.

For more information on the Communities of Quality Award winners, visit NAHMA's web site at www.nahma.org.

NAHMA By: NAHMA 2007-01-17

Press Contact: Peabody Properties, Inc. Tel: 781-794-1000