MRI Software wins National Partnership Award from NAHRO

MRI Software was named the 2020 recipient of the Business Partners Council Partnership Award by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for its partnership with the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency. An award presentation will be held during NAHRO’s online National Conference.

MRI provided technology and consulting services to the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency for its near-portfolio wide conversion of the agency’s portfolio to Project-Based Rental Assistance using the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) as the primary financing vehicle. All told, they converted 3,836 out of 4,255 units – the largest conversion to date in the history of RAD. The agency retains full ownership of its properties and continues to maintain and operate its portfolio. The conversion was debt-free and did not require access to Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity or other forms of financing. The project will bring greater long-term stability to the homes that the housing agency provides for its residents.

Jon Gutzmann, executive director of the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency, congratulated MRI, commenting: “MRI was a true partner in our conversion as it related to the software and the completion of the required certifications. They had staff on-site to assist during our biggest push to complete certifications, they were agile and accepted staff recommendations to streamline the process in light of the size of our conversion, and we had a dedicated and talented MRI staff member whom we could directly access for questions and fixes.”

According to Allen Feliz, MRI’s industry principal for affordable and public housing, the most rewarding aspect of the project was not its enormous scope, but rather the sense of shared commitment between the St. Paul PHA and the MRI team. “We’re honored to receive the BPC Partnership Award, which reflects the power of collaboration in achieving ambitious goals,” he noted. “The successful RAD conversion project enables St. Paul to better serve its communities in the long term, and we are proud to be part of it.”

“Many housing authorities rely on their business partners to carry out their mission and to bring additional expertise to their organizations,” said NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman. “We applaud MRI Software for being this year’s recipient of our BPC Partnership Award for the innovative work they’re doing with their clients.”

About the Business Partners Council Partnership Award

The original Manufacturers and Suppliers Council (MSC) community Service Award was established in 2002 by the Executive Board of the MSC.  In 2018, the MSC changed its name to the Business Partners Council (BPC) to better reflect the diversity of vendors and emphasize their partnerships with housing and community development agencies.  In order to acknowledge and honor those joint ventures and partnerships, the BPC made changes to the previous MSC Award in order to create the BPC Partnership Award.

About NAHRO

NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of nearly 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.