Minimum Eligibility for Submission

The following minimum criteria must be met in order for a development to be eligible for the Terwilliger Center Award:

• The Development can be for new construction, preservation deal or acquisition.
• Development can be located anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada and Mexico
• The development can be mixed-income, or fully affordable in a high-cost market. (Developments that target middle-income earners should instead apply for the Jack Kemp awards.)
• Development should be completed and fully occupied by residents at time of submission. No part of the development should remain under construction.
• Development should demonstrate innovation yet serve as a model for other developers to replicate.

*Please note: you do not need to be a ULI member to apply.*

Evaluation Factors

In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements, the following provides some context for how the jury reviews and evaluates our awards:

• Attainability: Degree to which the development provides new mixed-income or low-income housing, or rehabilitates and preserves existing affordable housing where covenants are expiring.
• Community: How does this development fit into and / or meet the existing community and its needs:
  • Is this development providing greater attainability in a neighborhood experiencing increasing rents or displacement; or, did this development add greater attainability in a traditionally high-cost/unaffordable neighborhood
  • Has this project had some other positive impact on the community?
• Equity and Impact: 
  • Degree to which the project has prioritized equity in its hiring and contracting goals.
  • Did the development team engage the appropriate community members and stakeholders? Was the process inclusive (e.g. language translation, accessibility, opportunities at different times of the days)?
• Amenities and Residential Livability:
  • Does the development offer a healthy balance of unit sizes (not just studio or 1-bedrooms) to accommodate families?
  • If there are amenities or services attached to the building, are they being utilized? Are they available to all residents regardless of income?
  • If there is a retail component, has it been leased? Is it retail that is appropriate for the residents (e.g. not a high-end restaurant)
• Design and Construction: While this is not a design award, the jury does appreciate any design or construction innovations that lower costs to allow for greater affordability.
• Sustainability: Does the building design incorporate any innovative features that reduce water waste, improve energy efficiency, or enhance the project’s resiliency?
• Financing: The development should demonstrate creativity and/or replicability in terms of the financing sources and structure.
• Innovation & Replicability: Degree to which some component of the development (e.g. financing, construction technologies, affordability structure) is moving the needle yet can still plausibly serve as a model for other developers.

Have a question on the eligibility and criteria of the award? Email us at [email protected].