FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Melinda Reta (202) 466-2121 x240 mreta@nhc.org

BART HARVEY TO BE HONORED WITH NHC 2008 “HOUSING PERSON OF THE YEAR” AWARD FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCACY

Washington, DC (February 27, 2008) -- F. Barton “Bart” Harvey, III, chairman of the board of Enterprise Community Partners, will be honored with the prestigious 2008 “Housing Person of the Year” Award at the National Housing Conference’s (NHC) 36th Annual Gala. Harvey is being recognized for his outstanding achievement as one of the nation’s leading affordable housing advocates, especially in his role as chairman and CEO of Enterprise, a leading provider of development capital and affordable housing expertise. Harvey served as chairman and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners from 1993 – 2006 and will continue to serve as chairman until March 12 of this year. Catherine Bessant, president of Global Product Solutions for Bank of America, is serving as chair of the Gala Committee. U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin, former Senator Paul Sarbanes and U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings are serving as honorary vice chairs. Major sponsors of this year’s gala are Gala Sponsor Freddie Mac and Platinum Sponsor Bank of America. The Gala will be held at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, on June 5th.

“Bart Harvey has shown an unwavering commitment to providing affordable housing for America’s working families and it is our privilege to present him with the NHC 2008 ‘Housing Person of the Year Award,’” said NHC President and CEO Conrad Egan. “He has devoted the past 20 years to creating innovative housing solutions and establishing community development strategies that make sense for all, regardless of income.”

During Harvey’s 13-year tenure as chairman and CEO, Enterprise’s impact grew from $200 million supporting 5,000 affordable homes per year to more than $1 billion invested to create more than 20,000 units annually. Overall, Enterprise has raised and invested more than $8 billion to create more than 215,000 affordable homes and strengthen low-income communities nationwide. In addition, Harvey and Enterprise founder James Rouse helped Congress create the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which currently provides financing for the majority of affordable rental units in this country.

In 2004, Enterprise launched the Green Communities initiative, an unprecedented commitment to bring the health, economic and environmental benefits of sustainable development to low-income communities. To date, Enterprise has committed more than $570 million to create more than 250 Green Communities developments with 11,000 green affordable homes across the country. The initiative has earned Harvey and Enterprise national recognition including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2007 “Energy Star Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing,” Global Green USA’s “Organizational Design Award” and the Home Depot Foundation’s inaugural “Visionary Award.”

Harvey’s commitment to housing extends far beyond his leadership of Enterprise Community Partners. In 2002, Harvey was appointed by Congress to the Millennial Housing Commission, which was created to analyze existing housing programs and make additional legislative and regulatory recommendations. He has also served on several housing-related boards, including that of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. In addition, he has worked on the National Housing Task Force and was appointed to the Mitchell-Danforth Task Force on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Harvey has served on numerous other boards as well, including the Keswick Multi-Care Foundation, the Baltimore Educational Trust, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Center Stage and the Harvard Alumni Association.

For additional information about this year’s Gala, and/or to RSVP, please log on to www.nhc.org, or contact Thea Beckering at (202) 466-2121, Ext. 221, or tbeckering@nhc.org.

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About Enterprise

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 25 years, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested $8 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve 225,000 affordable rental and for sale homes to create vital communities. Enterprise is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org and www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.