Congratulations to The Meadows Apartments for winning the 2024 WI-CARH Property of the Year Award. The Meadows is a 32-unit project in Darlington, Wisconsin, designed exclusively to support agriculture, farmworkers, and their families. The Meadows is managed by Wisconsin Management Company Inc.Cinnaire Solutions Corporation, a nonprofit development affiliate of Cinnaire, served as a co-developer of the project along with Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP). Cinnaire provided a $3.8 million LIHTC investment and a $260,300 redevelopment loan to support the project. Additional financing for the $8.8 million project was provided by: USDA Rural Development ($3,280,000 loan and rental assistance on all units); Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) AHP grant ($480,000); State of Wisconsin HOME Funds ($987,000) and redevelopment funding from United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS). The development is the first of its kind in Wisconsin to combine the USDA RD Farmworker housing loan with WHEDA tax credits.
Site Manager of the Year – Arlene Odeja
Congratulations to Arlene Odeja from Riverview Manor – Housing Authority of the City of Burlington for the 2024 WI-CARH’s Site Manager of the Year. A resident stated that, “Arlene does a great job. She communicates with residents and allows many different activities to take place such as potlucks, bingo, Christmas parties, and other activities. She has a great personality, and I enjoy living here very much.”
Maintenance Person of the Year – Michelle Vedder
Congratulations to Michelle Vedder, from Marathon County Housing, managed by Wisconsin Management Company Inc. received the 2024 WI-CARH Maintenance Person of the Year. A resident stated that, “Michelle goes above and beyond her job duties. She is very reliable. She communicates to you and doesn’t make you feel that your problem or questions are not worth her time. She is prompt, thorough, and oh so bright. I feel we are extremely blessed to have Michelle as a maintenance person. We just love her!”
The State Affiliated Association of the Year Award recognizes and encourages excellence in the programs, services, and management of CARH’s seventeen state-affiliated associations. Each year, all state-affiliated associations in good standing are eligible to apply for the award. CARH’s Awards Committee (with input from CARH national office staff) selects a recipient. The State Affiliated Association of the Year Award is presented each January at a special ceremony at CARH’s Mid-Year Meeting. A plaque recognizing all recipients also hangs in the CARH national headquarters office.
WI-CARH previously won this award in 2011. WI-CARH is honored to have been selected for this award as we enter our 25th year of activities. Rob Dicke, Vice President of WI-CARH (Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp.), and Russ Endres, Secretary of WI-CARH (Wisconsin Management Company) represented WI-CARH at the Mid-Year CARH conference in Charleston, South Carolina on January 30th.
Congratulations to Prairie House Apartments for being awarded the WI-CARH 2023 Property of the Year. Prairie House Apartments received a complete rehab in 2020-2021. This luxury affordable housing is an extraordinary opportunity for low-income elderly or disabled individuals. The rehab allowed for laundry machines to be added to the second floor, complete handicapped accessibility, and the resident’s gardens to grow all their vegetables. All the flooring upgrades in the community spaces are the luxury vinyl planks, ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living room, and free internet to keep their expenses lower. The property is located right across the street from the high school which allows residents to enjoy listening to the high school marching band.
Site Manager of the Year – Wendy Skoien and Maintenance Person of the Year – Jim Skoien
Congratulations to Wendy and Jim Skoien from Greenspire Apartments for the 2023 WI-CARH’s Site Manager of the Year (Wendy) and Jim, Maintenance Person of the Year! Wendy and Jim have been an integral part of the Greenspire community for nearly three decades, dedicating their time, energy, and expertise to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of the property. Their unwavering commitment and exceptional care have undoubtedly contributed to making Greenspire a thriving and welcoming community for the residents.
Property of the Year – Sunrise Valley Apartments in Lancaster, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Management Company is passionate about revitalizing aging affordable housing so that it supports our communities for many years to come. These properties are over 40 years old and received extensive renovations including new flooring, appliances, electrical systems, siding and energy efficient windows, as well as brand new parking lots and landscaping. We were able to complete this work with the partnership of WHEDA, USDA RD, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and Cinnaire, who we worked with on a tax-credit program and other funding sources. The improvements took 6 months and were carried out with minimal disruption to residents. Take a look at our before and after photos below.
Manager of The year – Kaitlyn Key
“Kaitlyn has worked with residents and family members during a substantial rehab which required residents to relocate with family members or temporary housing in Dodgeville, New Glarus and Barneveld. She has been thoughtful and caring with our residents as moving can be stressful. Residents appreciate how much Kaitlyn cares and appreciate the attention she gives.”
“In 2022, Kaitlyn faced the unique challenge of working on Darlington Meadows, a 32-unit RD/LIHTC property by SW Cap and Cinnaire, marketed exclusively to farmworkers and people in the agricultural industry. There have been many challenges with construction and marketing to a select demographic and she has stepped up her usual positive attitude to tackle this new community.”
Maintenance of the Year – Mike Schroeder
“Mike is the very best maintenance man in many ways! He is kind, patient, and caring to all of our tenants. He takes pride in his work and goes above and beyond whenever needed. I am extremely lucky to have him as part of our team.” – Housing Authority of the City of Burlington
“Mike does his job without complaints. He is very respectful and friendly. He also does a very good and complete job.”
“Mike is on the job no matter the problem he works to repair or replace. Mike is very easy to talk to and a very nice person.”
“Mike is a terrific person. He fixes everything right on the spot and does a beautiful job. He is polite to everybody and respectful.”
“Mike shovels when it needs to be done.”
“Mike has worked alongside of Arlene for three years and has done a great job.”
2019 Maintenance Person of the Year Winner
Maintenance Person of the Year: Mike Machia
(Scenic View Villas – Wisconsin Management Group)
with Russell Kaney, President of WI-CARH
Mike is a very positive maintenance person. Mike is extremely approachable to all coworkers and residents at the property. He responds to requests in a timely and polite manner. Mike remains understanding and patient.
Some of the residents said the following:
“There is never a need to request a job to be done because Mike has already completed it.”
“Mike has a special ability to treat each tenant kindly, courteously and with the upmost dignity.”
2019 Managers of the Year
Site Managers of the Year: Charity and Rockie Sobeck
(Central Park Apartments) with Russell Kaney, President of WI-CARH
Central Park Apartments is an 8-unit senior development. Central Park Apartments had a devastating flood and all the residents had to be relocated until the building was restored.
Some of the residents said the following:
“Rockie and Charity worked hard on rebuilding our apartments after the flood. It would not have been done without them.”
“Charity and Rockie have dinners for the holidays and treat us like their family.”
There were multiple nominations for WI-CARH 2019 awards. We were pleased to announce the following award recipients at our 2019 annual conference in November:
Property of the Year: Parkview Haven Apartments
(Wisconsin Management Group)
Parkview Haven is a 90-unit senior/mobility impaired apartment complex located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Parkview Haven suffered a tragic fire that displaced all the residents for several months. The building was 89/90% occupied at the time of the fire. After one year, it was at 100% occupied. They have two computer stations with internet accessibility. The community room hosts resident get-togethers with their favorite being potlucks and they also have a library.
2019 Property of the Year Winner
Laurie Nordin, Property Manager receiving award
