Your Impact Deserves Recognition



The Housing Achievement Awards, GenerationHAND Scholarship, and Children’s Essay Contest honor individuals (of all ages!) and groups who are making a difference. If your company is an established leader in the space, or you’re an aspiring community development professional, or even a young writer with a message to share, we want to celebrate you!

Apply by April 4, 2025, and be part of this tradition of excellence!

2025 Housing Achievement Awards

HAND’s Housing Achievement Awards will be presented at the organization’s 34th Annual Meeting & Housing Expo, taking place on June 5, 2025, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm at the Omni Shoreham. Awards will be presented to organizations and individuals that have provided outstanding affordable housing projects, programs, and support for low-and moderate-income residents in HAND’s membership footprint (Baltimore, MD to Richmond, VA). The awards recognize creative, innovative approaches in the industry, which result in quality developments and programs.

The winner in each category will receive ten tickets to attend the conference, a commemorative award, and a digital highlight in the program book. Additionally, award recipients will enjoy promotion leading up to the event, features in digital/video marketing collateral, and other public relations benefits.

• Developer of the Year
• Best Small Affordable Housing Project
• Best Large Affordable Housing Project
• Virginia Peters Nonprofit Friend
• Best Housing Partner 
• Emerging Leader
• Racial Equity in Action

The deadline to apply is 5:00PM on April 4, 2025. Late entries will not be accepted. Contact Racine Tucker-Hamilton at rhamilton@handhousing.org with questions.

The GenerationHAND Scholarship

At the core of HAND’s mission is building the capacity of its members to support the development of thriving communities across the region. Representing the ecosystem of partners working together to bring equitable communities to fruition, HAND works to disrupt the systems perpetuating inequity. With this work in mind, we recognized a need to support the next generation of leaders and in 2015 we established GenerationHAND. The GenerationHAND initiative aims to provide needed tools and guidance to our emerging leaders through various activities including but not limited to mentorship, community service and professional development programming. HAND is excited to continue to expand the initiative’s offerings with the return of the GenerationHAND Scholarship program!

For the third year running, HAND is proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students from the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area, as they pursue their higher education dreams at an accredited four-year college or university. The scholarship is for $10,000 ($2,500 annually for four years), awarded to college-bound high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, drive, and a commitment to using their talents to serve our communities. Students of color, first-generation and students who demonstrate financial need are highly encouraged to apply. Awards are renewable for up to three years. Renewal is contingent upon the recipient continuing full-time enrollment at an accredited four-year college or university, and maintaining a good standing with the school.

The application deadline is April 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM. Late entries will not

be accepted.

Children's Essay Contest

"What's the Recipe for a Strong Community?"

HAND invites the students residing in your communities to participate in our Children's Essay Contest! This year, we are hosting an essay competition themed What’s the Recipe for a Strong Community? HAND encourages you to use this contest as an opportunity to engage your youth in sharing their unique perspectives. The essay aims to empower students, foster confidence, amplify their voices, and allow them to pen their own stories of community strength. It's a wonderful opportunity for young writers to highlight what makes their communities strong and safe.

The contest is open to children who attend elementary school (ages 6-12) and reside in properties owned or operated by HAND members. The community program staff should host its own contest and mail the top entry from each property to: Courtney Battle, HAND, 1330 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Suite 124, Washington, DC 20036. Completed submissions MUST abide by the following Contest Guidelines to be eligible for the Grand Prize and Runners-Up awards.

A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of the contest at the 34th Annual HAND Honors, taking place on June 5, 2025, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm at The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The runners-up will each receive a $30 gift card and a certificate of participation.

The deadline for submission of entries is April 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM (must be postmarked by April 4). Late entries will not be accepted.

Haven’t locked in your space for the

Annual Meeting & Housing Expo yet?

Lock in your table before it's too late!