2011 spirit of homeownership excellence awards 
BACKGROUND
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) utilizes federal and state resources to provide housing opportunities for families and individuals through programs designed to create, preserve and manage affordable housing throughout Ohio. The Agency is a self-supporting, quasi-public agency governed by an eleven-member, Governor-appointed board.
2011 CALL FOR ENTRIES
SPIRIT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARDS
OHFA is the leader in developing innovative, effective programs that strengthen Ohio communities and address affordable housing needs throughout the state. For over 28 years, OHFA has helped more than 140,000 families open the doors to an affordable place to call home. Even in a time of great upheaval in the housing market, we continue to offer programs and resources that make safe, quality housing available for the populations who need it most. Ohio families count on us to provide the tools, education and services that make successful homeownership possible.
OHFA recognizes excellence in affordable housing, promoting homeownership opportunities and accessibility. These awards showcase the best in innovation and quality initiatives across the affordable housing industry. Award winners will be recognized at the OHFA board meeting on June 15, featured on OHFA's homeownership month webpage and in OHFA's summer newsletter.
ELIGIBILITY
OHFA encourages partners to consider nominating programs or initiatives that help residents of the State of Ohio prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership or make homeownership affordable. Specifically, OHFA seeks to recognize programs aimed at helping homebuyers through consumer education, well-structured mortgage products, affordable and efficient construction, helping at-risk homeowners keep their homes, or other innovative efforts to achieve and maintain homeownership. Only programs or initiatives that have been in effect before March 1, 2010 will be considered for the awards. Additionally, all applicants must be in good standing with OHFA programs.
JUDGING CRITERIA
An awards committee within OHFA will carry out the judging. OHFA board members will also be encouraged to judge the entries. They will be looking for innovative entries that capture the spirit of homeownership excellence around Ohio. Other factors being considered are:
- Program Description - how the project demonstrates excellence in homeownership, and addresses an affordable housing need.
- Partnerships and Vision – coordination with local, state and/or national partners; relationship to local or plans for affordable housing and community revitalization.
- Results that demonstrate significant impact, including:
- Length of Program – must be in existence for at least 12 months
- Measurable Outcomes – including number of participants, characteristics of participants, characteristics of housing; benefits
- Ability for the program to be replicated
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
We encourage entrants to submit supporting material such as program brochures and/or other documents. If you have photographs to support your entry, please ensure that they are of a resolution no less than 150 dpi. Files may be submitted in a JPEG, TIFF or GIF format but must be converted into a single PDF file in order to be uploaded onto our system. You may submit up to a total of ten (10) photographs, and please label each one with what it shows. A PDF file may be no larger than 30Mb in total, so you may submit multiple PDF files if you cannot meet this requirement. Please name each PDF file you submit with the name of the organization in order for the judges to identify it correctly.
DISCLAIMER
The quality of your entry is very important. Each entry will be judged on its own merit, based on the information provided by the applicant on the official entry form. We are unable to return entry material. The judges’ decisions are final.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- May 6, 2011 – Announcement and start accepting applications
- May 20, 2011 at 5 p.m. – Deadline for entries
- June 3, 2011 – Winners contacted
- June 15, 2011 – Winners recognized during OHFA Board Meeting
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, click on the submit nomination button below and complete the nomination form. Supporting documents must be emailed to srodgers@ohiohome.org as indicated in the instructions.
If you are unable to submit your nomination online, download the nomination form and mail your entire entry, including attachments, to Sally Rodgers at the address below. Your nominations must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2011.
Sally Rodgers
Ohio Housing Finance Agency
S.H.E.A. Awards
57 East Main Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
ENTRY FEE
$0 – There is no entry fee.
FAQ
Can I submit more than one entry?
No, each organization can submit only one (1) entry.
What is the final deadline for submissions?
Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on May 20, 2011 if entering online or postmarked May 20, 2011 if mailing.
How many awards are given out during homeownership month?
Up to four (4) awards will be given out on June 15, 2011.
Will the information I submit be posted online?
All winners will be featured in a special section of our Homeownership page on the OHFA web site.
Do you accept late submissions?
No, any entries submitted after the deadline of 5 p.m. on May 20, 2011 will not be accepted.
Do you have any helpful hints to maximize my submission?
- Be sure to leave enough time to gather all of the required information.
- Focus on aspects of your project/program that are key factors in its success and include that in the nomination form.
- Simpler is better. Bullet points help keep answers concise and to the point.
- After you have completed your submission, have another colleague review the materials.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Sally Rodgers at 888.362.6432, or send an email to srodgers@ohiohome.org.
