COQ Awards Program

Multifamily affordable housing developers and managers are invited to enter the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA)’s 2026 Communities of Quality (COQ) Awards—one of the industry’s most prestigious distinctions—which honors excellence in property management, resident services, and community impact. The submission deadline is Nov. 5; download the application today. 

National Sponsors of NAHMA’s 2026 Communities of Quality® Awards Program

NAHMA COQ Awards Program honoring affordable housing excellence and community impact.
NAHMA COQ Awards Program ceremony honoring affordable housing excellence.

About the COQ Awards

The prestigious COQ Awards recognize the achievements of affordable multifamily housing providers who have made an unprecedented contribution to the affordable housing industry by developing and maintaining outstanding properties that are safe and vibrant places to live.

The 2026 COQ Awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • Exemplary Family Development
  • Exemplary Development for the Elderly
  • Exemplary Development for Residents with Special Needs
  • Exemplary Development for Single Room Occupancy Housing
  • Outstanding Turnaround of a Troubled Property

A management company can submit one entry for each category, but each entry must be for a different property. Properties that previously entered the COQ awards competition but did not win are encouraged to reapply; however, previous COQ Award winners are not eligible to reenter. Additionally, any community that receives a NAHMA award—regardless of the program—must wait two years before applying for or being nominated for another NAHMA award.


To be eligible for the COQ Awards, a property must first earn a minimum score of 325 points on the NAHMA COQ National Recognition application. The deadline to submit COQ National Recognition applications to a local AHMA for consideration is Sept. 3.


Properties that previously received fewer than 325 points on their COQ National Recognition application may update and resubmit their materials if improvements have been made. The COQ Awards application brochure includes complete instructions for updating applications.


Award winners will be notified in early January 2027 and will receive their awards at a special ceremony during the NAHMA 2027 March meeting in Washington, D.C.


The 2026 COQ Awards program is generously jointly sponsored by Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, a nonprofit engaged in affordable housing preservation, community revitalization, and consulting services centered around the affordable housing industry; and Yardi, which develops and supports industry-leading compliance, accounting and property management software for every type and size of affordable housing provider.


For complete eligibility requirements and to download the COQ Awards application.


Additionally, the revised NAHMA COQ National Recognition Program application allows broader participation, including from non-HUD properties.


Local AHMAs will also celebrate regional COQ program participants. Check with your local AHMA for program details.


For questions or additional information, contact Paulette Washington at 703-683-8630, ext. 6 or pwashington@nahma.org.


Properties that achieve national COQ recognition are encouraged to showcase their status through NAHMA’s Digital Smart Badges, which can be displayed on property websites. These clickable badges instantly verify a property’s COQ credentials for site visitors. More information about the Digital Smart Badges program is available on the National Communities of Quality Program.


Two Communities Win NAHMA COQ Awards

NAHMA announces that two communities have won the 2025 Communities of Quality® (COQ) Awards. Since 1992, these awards have honored the best multifamily affordable housing communities nationwide. The 2025 COQ Awards will be presented as part of a special luncheon on March 25 during NAHMA’s Biannual Top Issues in Affordable Housing March Conference.

The association congratulates the winners. 

Exemplary Family Development: Promenade at Creekside Apartments, San Marcos, Calif.; Owner: Promenade at Creekside Housing Partners, San Marcos, Calif.; Management: Solari Enterprises, Inc.; AHMA: AHMA-PSW

Exemplary Development for the Elderly: Baltic Plaza Apartments, Atlantic City, N.J.; Owner: Standard Communities, Los Angeles, Calif.; Management Company: CRM Residential; AHMA: JAHMA

For a more detailed description of each property, click the accordion plus buttons below.

“There is no other award that focuses so comprehensively on the everyday life and management expertise of affordable housing properties,” Kris Cook, CAE, NAHMA CEO, said.

In the COQ awards competition, entrants are judged on how they manage their properties’ physical, financial, and social conditions, and on how well they convey their success in providing their residents with the highest quality of life.

The 2025 COQ Awards will be presented as part of a special luncheon on March 25 during NAHMA’s Biannual Top Issues in Affordable Housing March Conference.

The 2025 COQ Awards program was jointly sponsored by Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, a nonprofit engaged in affordable housing preservation, community revitalization, and consulting services centered around the affordable housing industry, and Yardi, which develops and supports industry-leading compliance, accounting and property management software for every type and size of affordable housing provider.

The following is a summary of the award-winning communities based on essays they submitted as part of the awards application.

Promenade at
Creekside Apartments

NAHMA COQ Awards Program venue with palm trees and modern architecture in sunny weather.

Promenade at Creekside is a 9-year-old mid-rise apartment complex with 65 units providing housing for families. Located in the suburbs of San Marcos, this complex offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The location is optimal for raising a family due to the surplus of high-quality schools in the area. K-12-aged children are zoned to the San Marcos Unified School District, and there are two highly rated public universities in the area.

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The property offers a variety of amenities for residents, both indoors and outdoors, so they can enjoy the lovely Southern California weather. All of the amenities are free to use and often host a multitude of resident services. Some indoor amenities include a theater room, community room, gym, computer room, and in-house laundry. The home theater has ample seating, including reclining chairs, to give a truly theater-like feel. Movie screenings are organized at least once a month. The community room houses most of the resident services. It has a conference table as well as other seating options, a fireplace, and a TV. Residents can hang out in the community room whenever events are not in progress. The computer room hosts community-organized computer labs. It is also available for use when the computer lab is not in session. On-site laundry is convenient for residents who cannot travel to laundromats.

Some outdoor amenities include a playground, pool, community garden, outdoor seating, and barbecue grills. All of these provide opportunities for healthy forms of entertainment, without residents having to leave the property. This is especially beneficial for residents who may not have cars, are too young to drive, or have mobility issues, making it difficult for them to organize transportation. The activities can be done in a group or individually, making it flexible for each person’s needs. The amenities are all located in the courtyard, which is fenced in to provide security and privacy for the residents. The amenities promote the use of community space, which is vital to children’s development, as this complex’s main audience is families.

Promenade at Creekside also has a stellar inspection record. The property undergoes routine inspections (both physical and financial) from a variety of sources—state, local, and third-party—and consistently passes them with flying colors. The replacement reserve is also fully funded every year. The efficient management that allows this to happen is a result of consistent, clear communication and industry-leading directors who have held positions on the AHMA-PSW board. Solari Enterprises’ ultimate goal is to provide high-quality, affordable housing, and their management and exceptional field staff make it possible.

The property collaborates with C.A.R.E. (Communities Advocating for Resident Empowerment) to provide resident services that help residents learn independence, responsibility, and life skills. Many of the resident services are purely for entertainment as well. C.A.R.E. is a nonprofit organization providing services to residents across California, including English as a Second Language classes, arts and crafts, fitness classes, college preparation, and resume-building classes. The wide range of services offered ensures that every resident, regardless of age, can participate. They are very community-oriented activities that provide residents with an opportunity to meet one another and socialize with people outside a school or work environment. The C.A.R.E. program fosters community and self-sufficiency within the residents to create a place people cherish living in.

Baltic Plaza Apartments

NAHMA COQ Awards Program building at Atlantic Plaza, showcasing affordable housing excellence.

At Baltic Plaza Apartments, CRM Residential doesn’t just manage a building, they nurture a community. Nestled in the heart of Atlantic City, the 12-story high-rise is home to nearly 200 seniors and individuals with special needs. Here, residents are more than tenants; they are family. The mission is to provide a safe, dignified, and engaging environment where residents feel valued, supported, and empowered to age in place with independence and pride. Baltic Plaza is more than steel and stone; it is a living, breathing community where care, respect, and connection define daily life.

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The management philosophy is simple: when staff demonstrate care and commitment, residents reciprocate by caring for themselves, their neighbors, and the property. From day one, the Baltic management team has been fully engaged in every aspect of property operations. Notices with detailed explanations are distributed in English, Spanish, and Korean to keep residents informed. Monthly calendars and newsletters highlight events, important updates, and house rules. Staff maintain open communication through shared logs, emails, and daily check-ins. Any building discrepancies, maintenance concerns, or housekeeping issues are addressed immediately to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.

During renovations, staff provided packing supplies, assisted residents with labeling and moving items when needed, and guided them in using streaming boxes in hospitality suites. The team coordinated elevator use, escorted contractors, ensured units were cleaned, and continuously addressed resident needs, including medical accommodations or emotional support. Even during emergencies, such as the fire in unit 1010, management acted swiftly to maintain safety, continuity, and resident satisfaction, exemplifying the hands-on dedication that defines our team.

Baltic Plaza thrives because staff prioritize residents’ well-being. Monthly calendars and newsletters keep residents informed of upcoming events, programs, and important updates. Weekly coffee hours, twice-weekly bingo, raffles, workshops, trivia, and social gatherings foster connection and joy. Home-cooked meals, prepared by the property manager and occasionally other staff members using fresh, high-quality ingredients, have become the hallmark of community gatherings. Residents enjoy the courtyard, which features newly installed tables and chairs under a pergola, benches throughout the grounds, and spaces designed for relaxation, conversation, and socialization.

Baltic management actively identifies programs to enhance resident life. Several residents, including those from neighboring senior high-rises, benefit from the mobile market and monthly food boxes delivered via DoorDash, brought to the site through persistent outreach and proactive coordination with local agencies. Transportation is available via a 14-passenger lift-equipped van for essential trips and community engagement. Partnerships with AtlantiCare, Jewish Family Services, Catholic Charities, Ocean Inc., SAVE, and city agencies provide wellness visits, benefits navigation, and access to social services. Local agencies regularly visit the community room to distribute and set up free government smartphones and assist residents with email, the ButterflyMX app, and the resident portal for online rent payments and other digital services. A representative from the City of Atlantic City Senior Division delivers flyers monthly to ensure residents are aware of programs and outings.
Baltic Plaza is a secure, welcoming environment thanks to proactive management and strategic partnerships. Exterior camera upgrades and the ButterflyMX system at the main entrance, laundry room, community room, and, soon, the fitness room allow staff to monitor entries and enhance safety. A security officer is stationed at the main entry when the office is closed, and an on-site maintenance technician ensures emergencies are addressed promptly. Bedroom and bathroom pull-cord systems provide immediate alerts to EMTs, adding another layer of protection.

The property engages the neighborhood proactively. Coffee with a Cop events, safety workshops, and occasional visits from the mayor or city council representatives give residents opportunities to express concerns and engage directly with city officials. Baltic Plaza’s diligence has helped mitigate past neighborhood security issues, creating a secure, respectful environment where residents feel both safe and heard.

Managing Baltic Plaza requires balancing compliance, finance, and daily operations with care and compassion. Staff hold weekly meetings, maintain detailed incident logs, and use a shared binder to track maintenance, resident concerns, and operational priorities. A 25% weekly unit inspection schedule ensures timely identification of housekeeping or maintenance issues. Monthly recertifications, lease-up compliance, HUD, and LIHTC regulations are meticulously managed. Purchase orders are reconciled, multiple bids are obtained to remain within budget, and operational excellence is reflected in the superior MOR score and a 96 NSPIRE inspection rating. In recognition of the property’s successful rehabilitation and high-quality management, Baltic Plaza Apartments was awarded the NAHMA Vanguard Award for Major Rehab of an Existing Rental Housing Community.
All staff complete annual Grace Hill trainings, including Fair Housing, Sexual Harassment, and Active Shooter Awareness. Office staff and leasing personnel also complete annual LIHTC trainings and are sent for certifications when possible, ensuring professional growth and compliance.

Beyond administrative tasks, the team maintains constant situational awareness of the building. Staff regularly monitor cameras, engage with residents and visitors, and know residents and most of their guests by name and unit. This proactive approach ensures the property remains safe, welcoming, and responsive to residents’ needs. Visitors, city officials, and residents consistently praise the building’s cleanliness, organization, and the sense of pride that permeates the community.

Baltic Plaza is more than a building; it is a hub for the neighborhood. Residents live within walking distance of medical offices, pharmacies, and public transportation, and the programs connect them with resources and opportunities for engagement. Local vendors, nonprofits, and city agencies provide on-site support, from wellness education to financial and benefits counseling. By creating a secure, accessible, and vibrant community, Baltic Plaza alleviates housing instability and contributes to the broader revitalization of Atlantic City’s senior housing landscape.

Innovation at Baltic Plaza focuses on enhancing resident experience and inclusion. Building-wide Wi-Fi, technology assistance, accessible transportation, multilingual communications, responsive staff, and safety systems such as pull cords and the ButterflyMX entry system ensure residents live safely and independently. The team acts swiftly when issues arise, addressing concerns before they escalate, and continuously seeks new programs to improve residents’ quality of life, creating joy, independence, and connection for every resident.
At Baltic Plaza, a high-quality property is not defined by steel, stone, or bricks alone; it is defined by the relationships we cultivate, the care we provide, and the pride residents take in their home. The management team leads with heart, staff work tirelessly, and residents respond with respect and engagement. Together, we have built a true Community of Quality, where seniors and individuals with special needs live safely, independently, and joyfully. Baltic Plaza exemplifies compassionate, innovative, and effective property management, deserving recognition as an Exemplary Development for the Elderly.

Past Award Winners:


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Disclaimer: Properties that meet the COQ National Recognition criteria may hold themselves forth to the public as such. However, NAHMA and the AHMAs do not assume and hereby disclaim any and all liability to any person or entity for any claims, damages, liability or other loss, including, without limitation, any liability for injury or other damage resulting from any use of or reliance on the information provided through the COQ National Recognition and Awards Program. NAHMA and the AHMAs do not make any express or implied warranties, representations or endorsements whatsoever, or in any way, regarding the properties listed as COQ National Recognition or Award Winners.