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January 30, 2014 - The National Community Development Association (NCDA) has awarded "The Courtyard of Fort Wayne" apartments for foster youth in transition to adulthood with the Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award.

"The Courtyard is an exceptional community asset," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "It's an ideal public-private partnership designed to help some of our most vulnerable youth overcome obstacles and become successful adults.

The City of Fort Wayne applied for the award, which recognizes exemplary uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other federal funding.

The Courtyard is a $7.2 million apartment complex that will accommodate 18- to 25-year-olds entering adulthood without significant support and guidance. The 47,000 square foot building will hold 36 one- and two-bedroom units and will be built on the site of the former Duemling Clinic, 2828 Fairfield Ave. Construction is expected to be complete in June 2014.

Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) of America is partnering with Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) and the Fort Wayne Housing Authority to support the effort; SCAN is acting as the developer and SAFY will manage the social services, including case management, job/life skills training, parenting education, and access to GED/high school diploma and post-secondary education. The Housing Authority will provide housing vouchers and Ideal Suburban Homes is overseeing construction. More information is available at: http://courtyard-fw.com/.

Funding for The Courtyard is provided by the City of Fort Wayne, the State of Indiana, the federal government and private foundations.

NCDA is a non-partisan national non-profit membership organization that represents local government departments that administer federally supported housing and community development programs. More information is available at www.ncdaonline.org.