2011 MetLife Foundation Excellence in Affordable Housing Award Winners Announced

COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and MetLife Foundation today announced the winners of the 2011 MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing, which laud best practices in green, service-enriched housing for low-income seniors. The four winners will each receive $50,000 in unrestricted grant funds to expand their exemplary work in affordable senior housing and will be recognized at various events around the country culminating with a final event at the LeadingAge conference in Washington, D.C. this fall.

"MetLife Foundation and Enterprise share a commitment to ensuring our growing older adult population has access to affordable, safe and healthy housing," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to join Enterprise in recognizing four organizations that are effectively meeting this growing need and enabling older adults to age in place."

Enterprise and MetLife Foundation started the program in 1996. Since then more than 40 organizations have been recognized with nearly $2 million committed to community based organizations focused on senior housing. The 2011 winners are:

• B'nai B'rith Housing New England in Brighton, Mass. for Covenant House. A home for seniors and adults with disabilities, Covenant House mixes best practices in green operations and maintenance with the use of enriched technology in order to enhance the quality of life for its 300 residents.

• Ingleside Homes, Inc. in Wilmington, Del., for Ingleside Retirement Apartments. By providing a sophisticated and energy-efficient living environment, Ingleside Retirement Apartments is home to more than 200 low- and moderate- income seniors who are able to age in place with more than 30 on-site assistance and resident services.

• Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation in Jamaica Plain, Mass., for the Julia Martin House. An independent living community with comprehensive support services, the Julia Martin House provides 55 safe, universally designed one-bedroom apartments for formerly homeless and low-income seniors.

• PEP Housing in Petaluma Calif., for Casa Grande Senior Apartments. A Build-It-Green certified project, Casa Grande Senior Apartments is the first green-rated multifamily affordable housing community in Sonoma County. Due to the green enhancements, PEP Housing has been able to drastically reduce its electric and water usage while providing the nearly 60 senior residents with sound quality of life and healthy housing surroundings.

"This country is entering into a senior tsunami. By 2030 one out of every five Americans will be over the age of 65, with many in need of affordable housing," said Melinda Pollack, vice president, vulnerable populations, Enterprise. "It is through the efforts of organizations like those we have honored today that our seniors will be able age in place with high quality of life. We thank MetLife Foundation for its consistent support on this growing sector of affordable housing."

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For nearly 30 years, Enterprise has introduced neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested more than $11 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve more than 280,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org and www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to carry on MetLife's longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide. Through programs focusing on empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities, MetLife Foundation increases access and opportunities for people of all ages. Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has made more than $500 million in grants and $75 million in program related investments. For more information visit www.metlife.org.

SOURCE Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.