Two MSHDA Leaders Recognized for Work in Affordable Housing and Community Development Industry

LANSING, Mich., May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) recently announced that Executive Director Keith Molin and Public Policy and Market Research Director Gary Heidel both were awarded high honors within the affordable housing and community development industry. Molin and Heidel were cited with their awards at the 2010 Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing. This year the conference theme was Rebuilding Michigan Together and the awards received commemorate that theme.

Molin was awarded the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/Detroit Housing Commission (DHC) Phoenix Award. The award was presented to at the closing keynote address by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. Also on hand to present the award was Eugene Jones, executive director of the Detroit Housing Commission. Molin was the first person ever within the affordable housing and community development industry to receive this award.

"I realize that the recognition was really not of me," Molin said, "but rather of the many hours and countless efforts made by the men and women of both MSHDA and the Detroit Housing Commission, along with the support of our colleagues at HUD and on behalf of those for whom we serve."

The 2010 CEDAM Community Economic Development (CED) Advocate of the Year Award was given to Heidel during the 2010 Michigan Affordable Housing Conference awards luncheon. The CED Advocate of the Year Award is given to the person who has done the most to advance the impact of community economic development in Michigan.

"It has always been the goal of our industry to help Michigan residents to obtain high-quality, affordable homes in vibrant communities," Heidel said "in recognition of this goal and on behalf of our industry, I accept this award."

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant future for Michigan. MSHDA provides tools and resources to improve people's lives through programs across the state. These programs assist with housing, build strong neighborhoods, and help create places where people want to live and work. MSHDA's programs work in four areas: affordable rental housing; supporting homeownership; ending homelessness; and creating vibrant cites and neighborhoods.*

*MSHDA's loan and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs.

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority