Tennessee Housing Development Agency has named five individuals and organizations as winners of the 2022 Tennessee’s Best awards.
The Tennessee’s Best awards honor outstanding contributors on behalf of affordable housing, whether producing, designing, developing, financing, promoting housing policy or inspiring others to serve Tennesseans’ housing needs.
THDA Executive Ralph Perrey said this year’s group of honorees are what the awards are all about.
“We are pleased to recognize work being done statewide to provide safe and affordable housing for all Tennesseans,” Perrey said. “The winners of these awards have shown their commitment to furthering access to affordable housing in Tennessee and we commend them for their hard work.”
Winners for the 2022 Tennessee’s Best awards and their category include:
Regional Impact Award: Curb Victory Hall, which was built by Nashville's Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, is a new 39-unit apartment complex for veterans experiencing homelessness. The apartments offer wraparound services for residents and were built to decrease veteran homelessness in the Nashville area.
Neighborhood Stabilization: The Works, Inc. for the Renaissance at Steele in Memphis. The Works, Inc. was responsible for the rehabilitation of 146 units at the development. Once a blighted apartment complex, the site is now home to quality, energy-efficient, and affordable apartments with a community gathering space and supportive services.
Legacy Award: David Hayes, affordable housing developer and founder of H&H Residential Development, was recognized for his contributions to the creation of affordable housing in Tennessee over his five-decade career. Hayes, who previously served as the THDA Board of Directors Chairman, has built 18 multi-family developments and over 1,200 affordable apartment units.
Housing Leadership Award: Keith Turbett, senior vice president and community development manager for First Horizon Bank, for his contributions to affordable housing in the Memphis area. Turbett also serves as the vice chair of the Board of Directors for United Housing, whose goal is to increase financial literacy, mortgage lending, home building, and renovation for Memphis citizens. Turbett has been an inspirational leader for First Horizon Bank as an advocate for affordable housing.
Director’s Award: McCormick, Baron and Salzar for their work on Foote Homes in Memphis. The Foote Homes development consists of 592 units of new mixed-use and mixed-income townhouses and apartments built in phases. Prior to the building of the new development, this area was notorious for crime and unemployment. The development has helped change the neighborhood and offers homeowner repair classes, walkable streets, healthy resources, and training services through the city.
Tennessee Best awards are presented as part of the annual Tennessee Housing Conference, which was created to allow housing professionals from throughout Tennessee and across the nation to network, discuss best practices and work on issues related to affordable housing.
