B'nai B'rith Housing Recognized by MetLife Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners for Exemplary Work in Senior Housing

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- B'nai B'rith Housing New England today received a MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for its work with Covenant House in Brighton, Mass. Presented by Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and MetLife Foundation, the national award goes to local organizations who have shown outstanding leadership, innovation, effectiveness and quality operations and services in the area of affordable senior housing. The award also recognizes organizations for successfully incorporating green components in their housing. Each of the four winners receives an unrestricted grant of $50,000 and will be recognized at an event in their local community as well as at a culminating event during the LeadingAge conference in Washington, D.C. this fall.

"We are pleased to recognize B'nai B'rith Housing as one of the recipients of the MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "It is through groups like this that communities are able to provide seniors with effective and supportive housing as they age. We thank Enterprise for being our partner in recognizing and uplifting these efforts."

B'nai B'rith Housing has provided quality affordable housing for the senior residents of Covenant House since 1982. Through a $2.7 million award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing, Covenant House residents are able to age in place in a state of the art green building within a sustainable, energy efficient environment.

Home to more than 300 low-income seniors and disabled adults, Covenant House combines its commitment to energy efficiency with technology in order to provide its senior residents an enriched and integrated quality of life.

"By partnering with dozens of local institutions and service providers, we have been able to create the type of collaborative effort and dynamic community at Covenant House that promotes healthy aging for seniors that can be replicated on the national level," said Susan Gittelman, executive director, B'nai B'rith Housing New England. "We thank Enterprise and MetLife Foundation for providing this grant in support of our affordable housing work and our ability to serve those who are the most vulnerable in our society."

Created in 1996, the MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing honors nonprofit organizations and tribes or tribally designated housing entities that show exemplary best practices in the field of low-income senior housing. Over the years, the awards program has supported more than 40 organizations and thousands of seniors with low-incomes.

"There are local heroes like B'nai B'rith Housing in each community," said Melinda Pollack, vice president, Enterprise. "Through its creative model, B'nai B'rith is helping residents lead vibrant, thriving lives, while setting a high standard for others nationally to emulate. We congratulate this organization for all of its efforts and wish them much luck in the future."

The other 2011 winners of the MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing are Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation for its work with the Julia Martin House based in Jamaica Plain, Mass; Ingleside Homes, Inc. in Wilmington, Del. for its work with Ingleside Retirement Apartments; and PEP Housing in Petaluma, Calif. for its work with Casa Grande Senior Apartments.

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 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.