It is with great sadness that The Michaels Organization announces the death of our legendary Founder and Chairman, Michael J. Levitt, at the age of 94. Mike started Michaels in 1973, and for more than 50 years, his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to creating communities that Lift Lives has shaped our organization and helped transform the affordable housing industry. Read more about his incredible life and legacy here.
Latest Developments
Michaels, Virginia Housing Officials Celebrate the Grand Opening of The Lodge at Autumn Willow
Officials from the Fairfax County government, theFairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and Virginia Housing gathered recently with The Michaels Organization to celebrate the grand opening of The Lodge at Autumn Willow. Located on previously vacant land on Autumn Willow Drive, the community is inspired by the area’s natural wooded setting, while being close to nearby shopping, dining, and recreation. The community spans two buildings, comprising 150 apartment homes for seniors with household incomes between 30 to 60 percent of AMI. Read more here.
Michaels, One80 Place Celebrate Grand Opening of 573 Meeting Street
The Michaels Organization, along with development partners Spandrel Development and One80 Place, recently celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of 573 Meeting Street, a transformative new development designed to expand housing opportunities and support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Lowcountry. It represents a first-of-its-kind investment in Charleston, bringing together affordable housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services within a single development. The six-story mixed-use building includes 70 apartments for low- to zero-income residents and a new Family Center featuring 18 suites with 56 emergency shelter beds. Read more here.
The Michaels Organization Hosts Groundbreaking at Fort Leavenworth
Earlier this month, joined by Ft. Leavenworth’s Garrison Commander, Col. Todd Sunday, Michaels held a ceremonial groundbreaking for 48 new townhomes. The new homes will replace outdated legacy housing first built in 1959. The neighborhood, to be called New Kansa, is part of Frontier Heritage Communities, the privatized family housing on post owned and managed by Michaels. The new two-story townhomes will feature modern, spacious layouts and high-end finishes. Read more here.
The Michaels Organization and Army Officials Break Ground on Norton Court at Fort Benning, Georgia
Joined by Army leadership, Michaels recently broke ground on 112 new townhomes for Company Grade Officers and their families at the US Army's Fort Benning, GA installation. The revitalized neighborhood, Norton Court, will feature three- and four-bedroom layouts and spacious 2,400+ square-foot homes with community amenities, including a central park, a gathering pavilion, and walking paths. Read more here.
Michaels and Army Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking of Young Village at Fort Belvoir
Joined by U.S. Army officials, Michaels recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Young Village, a new neighborhood coming to Fort Belvoir, VA, featuring 200 new townhomes for Army officer housing. The new community will feature three- and four-bedroom layouts in spacious 2,500+ square-foot homes, with an emphasis on comfort and functionality. Each home will offer high-quality finishes throughout, beautifully appointed kitchens, and outdoor balconies, and have access to an array of community amenities. Read more here.
Doing Well By Doing the Extraordinary
The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation Awards $2.4 Million in Academic Scholarships
The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation, a privately funded nonprofit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, has awarded $2,477,000 in academic scholarships to 271 residents living in Michaels-owned and managed affordable and military communities throughout the country. The $2.4 million awarded is the Foundation’s largest scholarship award to date and brings the total amount of scholarships awarded across all programs to more than $21 million, benefiting residents of Michaels’ affordable, military, and student living communities. Read more here.
The Michaels Organization and Urban Practice Team Up for Canstruction
The Michaels Organization and Urban Practice recently came together to unveil a Liberty Bell made entirely out of canned goods in the lobby of their headquarters building on the Camden waterfront. The food was donated by teammates, as part of a local Canstructionevent organized by the West Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, benefiting the Food Bank of South Jersey. Read morehere.
Going Out A Little Further
Oliver Station Awarded Healthy New Jersey Award from New Jersey Hospital Association
Oliver Station has been selected as a recipient of the Healthy New Jersey Award from the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA). This recognition represents one of the highest honors in New Jersey’s healthcare community and reflects the strength of the partnership, shared vision, and deep commitment between Michaels and Virtua.
Jed Henderson and Kelly DeJoy Promoted to Senior Vice Presidents
Edward (Jed) Henderson and Kelly DeJoy have been promoted to Senior Vice President, Transactions Closing Manager and Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, respectively. Jed joined Michaels in 2000 and has more than 26 years of experience in real estate development and the affordable housing industry. He is responsible for leading the transaction process post-closing to ensure strategic objectives are achieved on all of Michaels' affordable transactions. Kelly joined Michaels in 2012, bringing with her 15 years of experience in commercial and affordable finance. As Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, Kelly will assess and determine feasibility and optimal financing structure, including both debt and equity on proposed affordable developments across Michaels' entire portfolio.
Jose Cruz and Caroline Sutherland Promoted to Vice Presidents of Investment Management
Jose Cruz and Caroline Sutherland have been promoted to Vice Presidents of Investment Management. In these roles, Jose and Caroline will oversee military housing developments from predevelopment through delivery. Jose has over 20 years of construction management, real estate development, and asset management experience from his time at Michaels and with previous organizations. Before joining Michaels in 2024, Caroline served as a construction controls analyst at Blue Spruce Capital, where she managed renovation projects across the country, including insurance claim financials and reimbursement coordination.
Laurie Nordin Promoted to Regional Vice President of Management, Affordable
Laurie Nordin has been promoted to Regional VP of Management. Laurie began her career in property management in 2015. Since joining Michaels in 2023, Laurie has successfully overseen a portfolio of 13 sites, strengthening operations and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. Laurie’s achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including WI-CARH Property Manager of the Year, WI-CARH Property of the Year, Michaels Regional Property Manager of the Year, and Michaels Management Teammate of the Quarter.
Walking the Job
Director of Development Ben Van Couvering for Tax Credit Advisor: Pennsylvania's PHARE Program
Since it began awarding funds in 2013, the Keystone State’s Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) has provided critical gap funding for affordable housing projects. Michaels’ Director of Development Ben Van Couvering is sharing his thoughts on the program in TaxCredit Advisor. Read more here.
Regional Vice President of Development Nicholas Cangelosi on South Jersey Forward Roundtable
Michaels’ Regional Vice President of Development, Nicholas Cangelosi, is highlighting Michaels’ work in our corporate hometown of Camden, NJ in the latest South Jersey Forward roundtable, The Camden Blueprint: How Housing & Education Drive Urban Success. Watch the recording here.
The Michaels Organization, 2 Cooper Street, Camden, New Jersey 08102, United States
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