A commitment by the national non-profit Neighborhood Development Collaborative will fund a new award recognizing outstanding graduate students from the University of Maryland’s Master of Real Estate Development Program pursuing work in community development or affordable housing. The Robert J. Corletta Endowed Graduate Award in Real Estate Development honors the legacy of Bob Corletta, an urban planner and national voice for fair and decent housing for America’s working poor.
“We are thrilled for the support of the Neighborhood Development Collaborative in recognizing the next generation of thoughtful, civic-minded developers,” said Maria Day-Marshall, director of UMD’s Real Estate Development Program. “Bob was a force in this country’s effort to make affordable, vibrant communities a reality and his legacy is a shining example for our students.”
A visionary within the housing industry, Corletta spent his long and distinguished career developing mechanisms to create sustainable, affordable housing stock and just community development. In 1978, Corletta galvanized a group of housing, finance and community development professionals to create the Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NDC), a national nonprofit that works with federal and local government, developers, community groups and financial institutions to revitalize neighborhoods across the country. His ongoing work on behalf of the NDC and later, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), helped build an affordable housing strategy and national model for creating, preserving and protecting affordable housing.
The NDC has been a longtime supporter of the educational activities and pursuits of the University of Maryland’s Colvin Institute, including three symposia on senior housing. This latest gift, says Professor Emeritus Margaret McFarland, ensures that the important work of Corletta and NDC will carry on with future generations.
“NDC and its longtime leaders, co-founder John Carlisi and COO David Cole, are proud to support Maryland graduate students in real estate development,” said McFarland.