WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) announced that The Meadows in Darlington, is a 2023 recipient of the Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award (Edson Award) in the Rural Area category, recognizing affordable housing initiatives 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. Announced on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at a ceremony on Capitol Hill that was attended by members of Congress and affordable housing industry leaders, representatives of The Meadows received recognition from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), who attended the event to present the award to property representatives.
“Skyrocketing rents continue to burden millions of American families, even in areas once considered affordable,” said AHTCC Chief Executive Officer Emily Cadik. “The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is the best solution we have to address this growing crisis, and this year’s Edson Award recipients are innovators who demonstrate how affordable housing financed with the Housing Credit changes communities for the better.”
“This year’s Edson winners deserve recognition for their efforts to serve communities that have distinct needs and challenges across diverse populations,” said Ryan Sfreddo, President of the AHTCC Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Red Stone Equity Partners. “Congratulations to these exceptional properties and organizations for their creativity and perseverance in developing affordable housing that transforms lives and neighborhoods across the country.”
The Meadows provides 32 affordable homes serving agricultural and farm workers and their families in Darlington, The Meadows is the first development in Wisconsin to be financed with both the Housing Credit and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Farmworker program. The agricultural industry is critical to the Darlington community and region, and co-developers Cinnaire Solutions and Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc. (SWCAP) developed the property with the unique needs of members of the farmworking community in mind. Given the large immigrant farmworker population in the region, SWCAP facilitates on-site the Multicultural Outreach Program, a volunteer-led initiative that provides ESL courses and advocacy services to immigrant families, the majority of whom are Latino farmworkers. Residents also have access to the Farm Well Wisconsin program, which provides mental and behavioral health services to farmworkers, as well as continuing education and financial literacy programming.
The Housing Credit is our nation’s primary tool to create and preserve affordable rental housing. Since its inception in 1986, the Housing Credit has financed more than 3.7 million affordable for over 8 million low-income households, including formerly homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, veterans of the armed forces, and senior citizens. Through a successful public-private partnership model, the Housing Credit offers a proven track record of financing safe, quality, and stable affordable homes in communities where they are needed most.