CAHEC, a community investment organization based in Raleigh, NC, and Columbia, SC, presented its 2026 awards during the annual Partners Conference Awards Luncheon on June 9 in downtown Raleigh. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose dedication and leadership have made a meaningful impact on affordable housing and community development. This year's recipients include Valley River Apartments, Piok Chier, North Florida School of Special Education, First Bank, and Steve Rosenblatt.
The Development of the Year award went to Valley River Apartments, a 56-unit affordable housing community for families in Murphy, North Carolina, completed in 2025. The development was led by Western North Carolina Housing Partnership (WNCHP) in collaboration with FGM Development, LLC. CAHEC has a longstanding relationship with both organizations, with Valley River representing CAHEC's seventh investment alongside WNCHP and its tenth investment with FGM Development or an affiliated entity. Valley River provides critically needed affordable housing in Western North Carolina. When the development received its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award in 2021, it marked a significant milestone for Cherokee County. It was the county's first LIHTC award in a decade and the first new-construction LIHTC development in 26 years.
The Resident Spotlight Award was presented to Piok Chier, a freshman in high school who resides with his mom and older brother at Partridge Pointe Apartments in Louisville, KY. Piok has become an integral part of resident programming through CAHEC's partnership with the local YMCA. One of the partnership's signature initiatives brings weekly youth programming directly to the property, including soccer camps, games, and educational activities. Piok has played a key role in the program's success by helping coordinate events, encouraging participation among his neighbors, and enthusiastically engaging in activities himself. His leadership extends beyond his community. Piok volunteers with the Chestnut Street Family YMCA Summer Camp and participates in several youth development programs. He is an active member of the Men of Quality program, serves on the Black Achievers Teen Senate, and participates in The African in America soccer program. Additionally, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to service through volunteer work with Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
The Outstanding Community Impact award was given to the North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE) in Jacksonville, FL. In 2019, CAHEC New Markets provided $10.25 million of NMTC allocation to NFSSE to expand and enhance its campus. For more than 30 years, NFSSE has empowered individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) to learn, grow, and thrive. Today, the organization serves approximately 248 students and more than 100 post-graduates through innovative educational, vocational, and life-skills programming. NFSSE is recognized for its forward-thinking approach to preparing post-graduates, ages 18 to 40 and older, for independent living and meaningful employment. Through vocational training, internships, and life-skills education, the school has achieved an impressive job placement rate of 56.2% among participants in its vocational training programs. The organization has embraced a growth-oriented vision that extends beyond traditional educational facilities. In addition to campus improvements, NFSSE developed a therapeutic equestrian center that serves both students and the broader community. Its social enterprises, including Berry Good Farms, provide valuable opportunities for participants to build job skills, confidence, and independence. NFSSE is also a leader in fostering inclusion through its reverse inclusion model, which brings together students and adults with and without disabilities in educational and vocational settings. Supported by a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:6 and individualized educational planning, the organization remains deeply committed to helping every student achieve meaningful outcomes.
First Bank, headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, was named Investor of the Year. The bank has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to affordable housing through its partnership with CAHEC. Over the past 15 years, First Bank has invested more than $34 million across nine CAHEC-sponsored funds. Since the beginning of the relationship, First Bank has grown from approximately $1 billion in assets to more than $12 billion and now operates over 100 branch locations throughout the Carolinas. Beyond its role as an investor, the bank has also served as a construction lender on several CAHEC-syndicated developments. First Bank's continued collaboration and investment have helped expand access to affordable housing and strengthen communities throughout CAHEC's footprint.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Steve Rosenblatt, who has dedicated his entire professional career to advancing affordable housing programs and strengthening the industry through education, training, and compliance expertise. Beginning in the mid-1970s, Steve managed a Rural Development housing portfolio before becoming one of the nation's leading trainers for affordable housing site staff and owners. In 1986, he founded Spectrum Seminars and established the Rural Development STAR designation, setting a new standard for professional training in the industry. Shortly thereafter, Steve developed the C3P Section 42 training program, which has become widely recognized as a benchmark for excellence in affordable housing education. In 1991, he founded Spectrum Compliance, an organization that now employs nearly 40 professionals and is nationally recognized for its expertise in tenant file reviews and compliance auditing. Throughout his career, Steve has trained tens of thousands of housing professionals and has been a valued contributor to numerous North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and CAHEC-sponsored events. His enduring commitment to education and compliance has left a lasting impact on the affordable housing industry nationwide.
For more information about CAHEC and its contributions to affordable housing and surrounding communities, visit CAHEC's website.
