Four Senior Housing Organizations Receive 2013 MetLife Foundation Awards

COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MetLife Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) today announced the winners of the 2013 MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing, lauding innovation in green, health care and service-enriched housing for low-income seniors. The four winners will each receive $50,000 in unrestricted grant funds to expand their work in affordable housing and will be recognized during community events this fall.

"MetLife Foundation Award recipients have created forward-thinking, resident-centered programs by fulfilling current needs and anticipating future requirements of the aging population," noted Dennis White, President and CEO, MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to join with Enterprise in recognizing their leadership and innovation in creating replicable service models for the country's growing senior population."

With rapid growth in the aging population and rising health care costs, affordable senior housing communities face a seemingly insurmountable challenge in providing comprehensive services with limited resources and funding. The MetLife Foundation Award recipients show that connecting preventative health care and social services with housing adds value to residents' lives while creating savings to the health care system.

The 2013 MetLife Foundation Award winners are:

Christian Church Homes (CCH) of Northern California for Sierra Meadows in Visalia, CA: CCH employs a resident-centered service model that uses property management, operations and administrative staff to coordinate and to maximize care and services. Certified LEED gold, the 43-apartment development serves an extremely low-income population at 30 percent of area median income.

Mercy Housing Lakefront and Neighborhood Housing Services for Roseland Place Senior Apartments in Chicago, IL: Newly-constructed independent living senior housing with 60 apartments, Roseland Place is part of a campus that aims to provide an affordable continuum of care for older adults with its close proximity to the neighboring affordable assisted living and grand-family apartments.

REACH Community Development for Walnut Park Apartments in Portland, OR: REACH successfully executed an in-place rehabilitation to create 38 energy-efficient, service-enriched apartments for senior and disabled residents. REACH was also recognized for its extensive community partnerships and participation in Oregon's health care reform initiative.

Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL) for Presbyterian Apartments in Harrisburg, PA: PSL proactively assesses resident health status and works closely with their local health care system PinnacleHealth to implement health interventions that help residents manage chronic diseases such as diabetes. The 112-apartment community has an onsite clinic that tracks residents' health care progress, leading to a 49 percent reduction in re-hospitalizations.

Established in 1996, MetLife Foundation Awards have honored 97 affordable housing providers across the country and awarded a total of $2.1 million to the winners. Created to showcase models of excellence in design, supportive services, operations and property management in affordable housing, the awards have elevated the winning organizations through support and recognition for their work.

"This year's recipients have adeptly responded to the increased need to connect primary and preventative health to senior housing, while navigating the ever-changing health care landscape," noted Victoria Shire, Vice President, Vulnerable Populations, Enterprise. "These organizations have determined how to best direct internal resources and how to leverage external partnerships to ensure their residents receive maximum services within a safe, healthy, supportive environment to enjoy their lives."

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement.  The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide which is reflected in its new focus on financial empowerment.  MetLife Foundation supports innovative approaches to help low income people acquire the financial tools and capabilities to improve their lives. Since it was established, it has provided more than $570 million in grants and $100 million in program-related investments to nonprofit organizations.

Enterprise works with partners nationwide to build opportunity. We create and advocate for affordable homes in thriving communities linked to jobs, good schools, health care and transportation. We lend funds, finance development and manage and build affordable housing, while shaping new strategies, solutions and policy. Over more than 30 years, Enterprise has created 300,000 homes, invested nearly $14 billion and touched millions of lives. Join us at www.EnterpriseCommunity.com or www.EnterpriseCommunity.org.

SOURCE Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.