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Partners Southeast is celebrating national recognition for its role in the transformation of Cypress at Ardendale, a mixed-income community that continues to serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization in the Capital Region.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority (EBRPHA) recently earned four national honors from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), including an Award of Excellence for Community Revitalization for Cypress at Ardendale, Phase I. The development also earned Awards of Merit for Community Revitalization and Project Design, while EBRPHA's Health & Housing: Bringing Care Home initiative received an Award of Merit in Resident and Client Services.
A Catalyst for Neighborhood Transformation
For Partners Southeast, the recognition reflects more than the success of a single development. It reflects the power of long-term investment, strategic partnerships and a shared commitment to transforming communities.
Developed through a partnership between EBRPHA, Partners Southeast and The Integral Group, Cypress at Ardendale serves as a cornerstone of the BR Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan. What was once a former public housing site is now a thriving mixed-income community designed to connect families with quality housing, educational opportunities, economic mobility and community resources.
Phase I includes 170 mixed-income homes and represents an important step in a broader vision to create sustainable neighborhoods where individuals and families can thrive.
NAHRO recognized Cypress at Ardendale for its contribution to long-term neighborhood growth through thoughtful design, walkable streets, quality housing and expanded access to opportunity. The award reflects a shared vision among public and private partners to create communities that support both individual success and neighborhood prosperity.
The national recognition also highlights the broader impact of BR Choice Neighborhoods, which continues to leverage public and private investment to drive meaningful revitalization across North Baton Rouge.
"Cypress at Ardendale demonstrates what can happen when housing is paired with a commitment to neighborhood transformation," said J. Wesley Daniels, Jr., CEO of EBRPHA. "Through BR Choice Neighborhoods and developments like Cypress at Ardendale, we are investing in neighborhoods and creating communities of opportunity and choice."
Creating Communities of Opportunity and Choice
While this recognition celebrates important progress, it also points to the work ahead. Through continued partnerships, investment and collaboration, Partners Southeast remains committed to advancing the BR Choice vision of creating vibrant, connected communities where families can thrive and future generations have greater opportunities to succeed.
2026 NAHRO National Awards
- Award of Excellence & Merit: Cypress at Ardendale Phase I, Community Revitalization
- Award of Merit: Cypress at Ardendale Phase I, Project Design
- Award of Merit: Health & Housing: Bringing Care Home, Resident and Client Services
About the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority
For over 80 years, the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority has served families by providing affordable housing opportunities. EBRPHA's ACCESS strategy reaches more than 14,000 people across the Capital Region.
About Partners Southeast
For over 20 years, Partners Southeast has sought to use housing as a vehicle to make measurable impacts in education, economic opportunities, and health and wellness in communities throughout the Southeast. Partners Southeast provides and develops quality housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization and focusing on strategic investments in people, neighborhoods, and housing, seamlessly mixing market-rate and affordable units, creating vibrant communities.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families, and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. NAHRO members administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people.
About the Community Innovation Awards Program
The NAHRO Community Innovation Awards Program (previously the NAHRO Award of Merit Program) gives national recognition to the achievement and innovation of NAHRO members; to provide additional opportunities to inform the public of best practices in housing and community development; and to create a resource bank of information on significant, innovative activities performed by housing and redevelopment agencies and community development departments. Since 1989, NAHRO has honored more than 6,000 programs.
The Awards of Merit applications are reviewed, evaluated and winners selected by regional juries. The Awards of Excellence are awarded to the best entries in each category from among the Award of Merit winners.
Media Contact
Miranda Thomas
Communications Director
225-223-5067
mthomas@partnerssoutheast.com
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Creating Communities of Opportunity and Choice
While this recognition celebrates progress already made, the work continues. Through ongoing partnerships and investments, Partners Southeast is helping advance the BR Choice vision of creating communities of opportunity and choice where families can thrive and neighborhoods can prosper for generations to come.
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