Nathan Petrillo Author Archives

Awards Recognize Value of Well-Designed Affordable Housing

7 min read

Three mixed-income housing developments that thoughtfully respond to their surroundings and residents’ needs were winners in an annual design competition organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These recipients of the 2008 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Awards demonstrate that design excellence and affordable housing can go hand-in-hand.

Developers Apply Certain Design Features, Management Practices to Prevent, Minimize On-Site Crime

7 min read

IN RECENT YEARS, DEVELOPERS, police departments, and others have become increasingly interested in design and crime prevention as they relate to development and management of affordable rental housing. Preventing or reducing crime in affordable apartment properties, including low-income housing tax credit projects, provides a safer and more positive environment for residents, enhances the marketability of properties, and can reduce operating costs.