Iowa Finance Authority awarded affordable housing initiatives at the 2019 HousingIowa Awards. HousingIowa Awards Recognize Outstanding Housing Projects and Leaders CEDAR RAPIDS – The Iowa Finance Authority recently recognized outstanding affordable housing initiatives and leaders with HousingIowa Awards at the 2019 HousingIowa Conference in Cedar Rapids. The HousingIowa Awards recognize outstanding programs, projects and professionals for leadership and innovation in advancing affordable housing development in Iowa. The award categories include: Innovation, Multifamily, Single-Family, Special Needs Development and Legislative Friend of Housing. In addition to the HousingIowa Awards, the Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award was awarded. It was founded in 2008 when the state of Iowa lost an exceptional community development advocate with the passing of Kay Anderson, of LeMars. A long-time member of the Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors, Kay is remembered for her commitment to the success of programs that enhance the quality of life for Iowans. This award recognizes an individual who encompasses Kay’s outstanding qualities. An independent panel of judges selected the following the 2019 HousingIowa Award winners: Single-Family Development Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity and Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association Project Home Builders Blitz, Cedar Rapids Multifamily Development Hatch Development Group Project Hotel Maytag, Newton Innovation Award Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Project Birdland Pocket Neighborhood, Des Moines Special Needs Development Shelter House Project Cross Park Place, Iowa City Legislative Friend of Iowa Senator Liz Mathis, Cedar Rapids Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award Jeannie Kingery, Northern Lights Alliance for the Homeless, Mason City More information about the HousingIowa Awards is available at HousingIowaConference.com.