Every day, housing agencies are working to reduce risk, protect properties, support residents, and create safer communities. From improving safety procedures to developing innovative solutions, these efforts help strengthen operations and preserve affordable housing nationwide.
HAI Group’s Risk Management Awards were created to recognize housing agencies and individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to risk management, loss prevention, and community impact. Each year, the program highlights initiatives that make a measurable difference, giving housing agencies an opportunity to share their success stories, celebrate their teams, and inspire others across the industry.
Whether your agency has launched a new safety initiative, implemented technology to improve operations, developed a community partnership, or created a culture focused on managing risk, the Risk Management Awards provide an opportunity to showcase your work.
New for 2026
This year, HAI Group refreshed the Risk Management Awards with new categories, increased award amounts, and a new application timeline to better recognize the evolving ways housing organizations are managing risk, improving safety, and supporting their communities.
Updates include:
Three new award categories were introduced to highlight achievements in community partnerships, technology, safety innovation, and improved loss performance. These updates create new opportunities for agencies to showcase successful programs and initiatives that may not have fit into past categories.
We increased the award amounts for three categories from $500 to $1,000. The Risk Champion of the Year award increased from $750 to $2,500.
The application deadline has been moved from the beginning of the year to the summer, giving agencies a new timeframe to submit their programs and initiatives for consideration.
2026 Risk Management Award categories
These awards recognize a variety of approaches to managing risk, strengthening operations, and supporting safer communities. Review the categories below to find the award that best aligns with your agency's initiatives, programs, or achievements.
Community Partnership Award
Recognizes a housing agency's most impactful collaboration with a local or community organization. This award honors partnerships that improve resident well-being, enhance housing services, or address critical community needs through shared resources, innovation, and mutual support.
Submission requirements:
- Demonstrate a meaningful partnership with a nonprofit, local government agency, educational institution, healthcare provider, or other community-based agency
- Show measurable impact on residents through improved services, increased access to resources, or enhanced quality of life
- Highlight innovative or collaborative approaches to addressing community challenges such as housing stability, food insecurity, youth engagement, or health access
- Demonstrate resident engagement, participation, or satisfaction
- Include information about how the partnership was developed, maintained, and sustained over time
- Show strong collaboration, communication, and shared decision-making between partners
The winner will receive a $1,000 award paid to the housing agency.
Apply for the Community Partnership Award here.
Best Use of Technology Award
Recognizes a housing agency that has successfully implemented innovative technology to strengthen risk management practices, improve operational efficiency, and enhance resident or staff safety.
Submission requirements:
- Demonstrate innovative use of technology such as smart building systems, mobile inspection tools, AI-driven analytics, automated compliance platforms, or other digital solutions
- Show how technology was used to proactively identify, assess, or reduce risk
- Highlight measurable improvements in safety, compliance, incident response, or operational efficiency
- Demonstrate integration into day-to-day workflows, staff training, or resident engagement efforts
- Show potential for scalability or replication across additional properties or portfolios
- Include examples of collaboration between departments, IT teams, vendors, or partners
The winner will receive an award of $1,000 paid to the housing agency.
Apply for the Best Use of Technology Award here.
Safety Innovation Award
Recognizes a housing agency that has implemented a new or innovative approach to enhancing safety for residents and/or staff. Whether through process redesign, community engagement, property redevelopment, infrastructure improvements, or technology, this award celebrates forward-thinking solutions that proactively address safety risks.
Submission requirements:
- Highlight innovative approaches to improving resident and/or staff safety through technology, training, design, infrastructure, policy, or engagement efforts
- Demonstrate measurable impact on safety outcomes, emergency preparedness, response times, or reduction in hazards or incidents
- Show resident and/or staff involvement in the development or implementation of the initiative
- Include examples of training, communication, or feedback efforts that supported awareness and adoption
- Demonstrate long-term sustainability or potential replication across additional properties or departments
- Highlight collaboration with local agencies, vendors, or community agencies when applicable
The winner will receive an award of $1,000 paid to the housing agency.
Apply for the Safety Innovation Award here.
Risk Champion of the Year Award
Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing risk management practices and promoting a culture of safety within their agency.
Submission requirements:
- Must be nominated by a fellow employee, housing agency peer, or HAI Group employee
- Demonstrate leadership in identifying and addressing agency risks
- Show measurable impact on safety, compliance, or risk management outcomes
- Highlight efforts to promote a culture of risk awareness and accountability
- Cannot have won Risk Champion of the Year in the preceding two years
The winner will receive an award of $2,500 paid to the housing agency. In addition, the winner will be invited to attend HAI Group's annual board meeting in December to accept the award.
Nominate a Risk Champion here.
Read about 2025 Risk Champion Jason Pounds, maintenance worker at Decatur Housing Authority, on the HAI Group Resource Center.
Learn more and apply
Applications for HAI Group’s 2026 Risk Management Awards Program are open now through August 17.
To enter, your agency must be a member of the Housing Authority Risk Retention Group, Inc. (HARRG) or Housing Authority Property Insurance, A Mutual Company (HAPI). Programs designed by consultants or service providers and previous submissions are not eligible.
To learn more about award categories, apply for the awards, and view previous winners, visit our Risk Management Awards page.