Emergency Housing Services Building
The Emergency Housing Services Building (EHSB)

At today’s meeting, the Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized national awards for the Emergency Housing Services Building (EHSB).

In May, Washington County CDA Executive Director Melissa Taphorn accepted the 2026 Multifamily Award of Excellence Winner presented by the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) on behalf of the many key stakeholders. The Award of Excellence is the most prestigious national award in the local affordable housing finance community. (Read more here.)

In October, CDA staff and board members accepted two recognitions from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): a 2026 Award of Merit and an Award of Excellence in the Affordable Housing category, which distinguishes projects that produce or preserve affordable housing through creative financing and partnerships. (Read more here.)

The EHSB is an innovative multifamily housing development that provides safe, dignified shelter for adults experiencing homelessness. Developed by the Washington County CDA in partnership with Washington County, Minnesota, the two-story facility includes 30 private, furnished rooms which prioritize privacy and dignity. The EHSB is located on the Washington County Government Center Campus, which removes barriers to accessing necessary resources to support transition to permanent housing.

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