Award-Winning HOLT Architects Named Upstate New York Affordable Housing Project of the Year

Village Grove Recognized for Passive House Leadership, Community Impact, and Equitable Design

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Village Grove, a landmark mixed-income, high-performance housing development in Trumansburg designed by HOLT Architects, has been named Upstate New York Affordable Housing Project of the Year by the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH). The award recognizes HOLT and INHS's leadership in sustainable design, long-term affordability, and community-centered planning, positioning the project as a model for equitable housing across New York State.

Why it matters

The recognition of Village Grove validates not only the technical achievements, such as meeting rigorous Passive House standards, but also the long-term social impact of creating stable, affordable homes within a connected neighborhood. This project serves as a replicable model for low-carbon, resilient affordable housing that can help communities across New York State address housing affordability, climate resilience, and social infrastructure challenges.

The details

Designed by HOLT Architects for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS), Village Grove is the first multifamily housing development in Tompkins County to achieve Passive House certification. The project offers a mix of multifamily apartments and townhouse-style residences, supporting a diverse range of household needs while fostering long-term community stability and economic inclusion. The homes incorporate high-performance insulation, airtight construction, energy-recovery ventilation, and climate-specific solar optimization, reducing heating and cooling energy use by up to 80% compared to conventional construction.

  • Village Grove was designed by HOLT Architects for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS).
  • The project has been named Upstate New York Affordable Housing Project of the Year by the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) in 2026.

The players

HOLT Architects

An award-winning architecture firm with offices in Ithaca and Syracuse, recognized statewide for a high-design aesthetic grounded in functional, durable, and sustainable solutions.

Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS)

A nonprofit organization that partnered with HOLT Architects to develop the Village Grove project.

New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH)

The organization that recognized Village Grove as the Upstate New York Affordable Housing Project of the Year.

Steve Hugo

A principal at HOLT Architects.

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What they’re saying

“The recognition is especially meaningful because Village Grove represents years of shared commitment between HOLT Architects and INHS to deliver equitable, high-performance housing at a community scale.”

— Steve Hugo, Principal, HOLT Architects (einpresswire.com)

“Direct community engagement allows all constituents to be heard. Often there are many competing interests, and not every request can be met. What matters is transparency and ensuring people feel their voices were considered. That process builds trust and leads to stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.”

— Steve Hugo, Principal, HOLT Architects (einpresswire.com)

“Village Grove reinforced that sustainability, equity, and cost control are not competing priorities. When done right, they support one another. High-performance housing improves quality of life for residents while also protecting long-term affordability.”

— Steve Hugo, Principal, HOLT Architects (einpresswire.com)

What’s next

HOLT Architects has been invited to present Village Grove at the New York State Green Building Conference in Syracuse in 2026, where the firm will share lessons learned with peers across the state.

The takeaway

Village Grove serves as a replicable model for sustainable, community-focused affordable housing that can help address challenges related to housing affordability, climate resilience, and social infrastructure in communities across New York State. The project's recognition validates HOLT Architects' approach of aligning cost discipline, durability, and operational efficiency with resident needs to deliver long-term value and improve quality of life for residents.