Management Innovation: Technology

Recognizes outstanding innovation in the use of technology to strengthen agency operations and achieve strategic objectives.

Judging Criteria

Management Innovation entries will be judged on the degree to which they:

  • Are innovative
  • Are replicable
  • Respond to a management challenge or opportunity
  • Achieve measurable improvements in agency operations
  • Provide benefits that outweigh costs
  • Demonstrate effective use of resources
  • Achieve strategic objectives

If you have questions, please email awards@ncsha.org or call 202-624-7710.

2023 Winner

Rhode Island Housing

2023 Entries

Delaware State Housing Authority:
Fighting Back Against Emergency Rental Assistance Fraud

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) received a sizable investment in the Delaware Emergency Housing Assistance Program (DEHAP) through two allocations of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) funding, totaling $352 million. This influx in funding increased the risk to program integrity and imperiled the delivery of resources to legitimate applicants seeking assistance from DEHAP. DSHA used artificial intelligence and predictive learning to prevent ineligible cases from receiving aid.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority:
MSHDA Portal

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has implemented new software for its program application process. Between the initial programs utilizing this application portal as well as our current iteration of the portal for the American Rescue Plan programs, this application portal platform has help to distribute over a billion dollars in various aid throughout the state of Michigan.

Minnesota Housing:
Special Claims Process Automation

Minnesota Housing provides financial assistance to rental property owners facing financial risk. Owners submit a Special Claim to receive payment covering financial risks relating to limitations on security deposits and waitlist requirements. For years the Special Claims process was an expensive, cumbersome paper process prone to error due to human processing. Minnesota Housing recently converted to an automated Special Claims process and is realizing savings and improvements from this change.

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency:
Telework (PILOT) Paperless Automation

The Telework (PILOT) Paperless Automation project implemented by NJHMFA meets the criteria for the NCSHA Award for Program Excellence in the category of Management Innovation. The project was a quick and efficient in-house design that used Microsoft Power Platforms to create a centralized system for telework applications. The system streamlined the data and provided on-demand and real-time analyses, making the process paperless and digitized.

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency:
Rent Estimate Calculator

Housing Choice Voucher clients and landlords use the Rent Estimate Calculator to determine if a selected unit meets affordability standards. OHFA replaced an Excel spreadsheet with an interactive calculator that works no matter what browser or device is being used.

Rhode Island Housing:
Expanding Agency Capacity through Data Management

RIHousingā€™s team of IT and research/data analysis professionals, developed and maintains a dedicated server managed by a cross-departmental team for all RIHousing program data that acts as the agencyā€™s data warehouse. The effort, which has spanned over 4 years, has evolved into a critical resource, and has allowed the Agency to expand and improve its operations, reporting, and analysis of housing insights and trends.