Every year, the National Affordable Housing Management Association awards four communities in the nation for having the best multifamily affordable housing communities, an NAHMA press release states.
The Communities of Quality Award candidates are judged on the physical, financial and social conditions of the property as well as how each provides the best atmosphere for the highest quality of life to the residents, according to the release.
The awards are given in four categories, exemplary family development, exemplary development for the elderly, outstanding turnaround of a troubled property and exemplary development for residents with special needs.
This year, the Bridgeway Apartments in Picayune won the exemplary development for residents with special needs out of every other similar community in the nation.
“It’s a big deal to be spotlighted on a national stage. Our team and staff go above and beyond to make sure the residents enjoy every day here,” Director of Bridgeway Apartments Jason Kirkland said, who is traveling to the District of Columbia to receive the award on Monday.
Bridgeway Apartments was established in 2000, and phase two was added in 2005, providing 24 living units which are independently maintained by the residents, giving the residents privacy and a chance to be self-sufficient. Along with the living units, Bridgeway Apartments provides an exercise room, laundry facilities, well-maintained grounds and many recreational spaces like a basketball court, volleyball net and space to play a pick-up game of baseball.
All of the residents, except one retiree, have jobs, ranging from working at pizza restaurants to fire departments. Bridgeway staff provides transportation to the jobs and also help with on-site assistance if needed, states the release.
“Every day we want to provide the best living situation for all of our residents and our staff do a great job of exceeding the status quo every day in order to do that,” Kirkland said.
A few years ago, a couple of residents spoke with Kirkland and other staff members about wanting to take a trip to Disney World, so Kirkland and his crew started raising money for that dream to become a reality.
“We never put aside any of their dreams,” Kirkland said. “We strive to make anything happen, even if it takes time.
“They do such an amazing job there,” Ted Barzé, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 6872, said. The organization donated approximately $2,000 to Bridgeway Apartments and The ARC of Pearl River County.