The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has extended its registration deadline for the fifth annual HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence "Best in American Living Award" to July 9. Upon registration, applications will receive a notebook containing a checklist, entry forms, and instructions for organizing entry exhibits. The notebooks are due July 31.

The Best in American Living Awards, which are cosponsored by Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders, recognize "design excellence produced through cooperative public/private efforts that expand home ownership opportunities for underserved American families."

Eligible projects must have a sales price below the median of its metropolitan statistical area and must have been built through a cooperative effort of local government, private industry, and nonprofit and community groups. The houses should demonstrate innovation in technology, regulatory barrier removal, and/or contribution to neighborhood revitalization or community development.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.