Two Boston housing leaders were honored October 28th for their invaluable contributions and years of dedication providing affordable apartments for thousands of Mass. families. The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association (NH&RA) presented the 2008 NH&RA Vision Awards to U.S. representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and to Larry Curtis, real estate developer. The awards presentation took place at a luncheon being held in conjunction with the NH&RA 2008 Fall Developers Forum at the Langham Hotel in Boston.
The occasion marks the 5th time the annual NH&RA Vision Award has been presented. "We're delighted to recognize two outstanding individuals - Barney Frank and Larry Curtis - who have immeasurably improved the lives of countless low-income families across the nation," said Peter Bell, executive director of NH&RA. "By working tirelessly to ensure the creation and preservation of high-quality, affordable apartments for low to moderate-income households across the nation, Frank and Curtis have had bettered the lives of countless individuals and families, giving them a secure place, a home where they can prosper, grow and contribute to their community."
Frank was first elected to Congress in 1981. Throughout his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Frank has been an outspoken advocate and a leading voice for the affordable housing community. Congressman Frank played a critical role in the creation of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in 1986, the country's most effective tool for the creation of affordable rental housing. More recently, as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Frank was instrumental in the creation and passage of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, a measure that provides critical improvements to our nation's affordable housing delivery system, as well as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
As managing partner for WinnDevelopment, Curtis leads a full range of real estate development and acquisition activities for WinnCompanies. While maintaining a wide range of real estate interests, Curtis' primary focus has been historic redevelopment and the creation of affordable housing.
Curtis' work has been recognized by numerous organizations and publications including NH & RA, Mass. Historical Commission, Boston Preservation Alliance, Affordable Housing Finance, Preservation Mass. and MassHousing.