Tag Archives: Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award

Down Payment Resource honors Merri Jo Cowen with 2025 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award

Stellar MLS CEO recognized for decades of leadership advancing equitable access to homeownership

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that 40-year industry veteran Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, is the recipient of the 2025 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award.

Image caption: Down Payment Resource honors Merri Jo Cowen with 2025 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award.

Now in its ninth year, the Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing housing affordability. DPR created the award in memory of one of its first employees, Beverly Faull, whose dedication to improving access to homebuyer assistance programs helped shape the company’s mission. DPR will donate $5,000 to a housing nonprofit of Cowen’s choice.

Cowen’s career began in the early 1980s at the Reno Sparks Board of Realtors®, where she rose from data entry to MLS director and later led the creation of a regional MLS serving Reno and Carson City. In 2003, she became the inaugural CEO of the Northern Nevada Regional MLS. She joined MidFlorida Regional MLS in 2008 as CEO and guided its rebrand to Stellar MLS in 2019. Stellar MLS is now the third largest MLS in the United States, serving more than 80,000 subscribers.

Under Cowen’s leadership, Stellar MLS has prioritized equity, accessibility and the responsible use of technology to reduce barriers to homeownership. With DPR’s software tools integrated into its MLS, agents can identify more than 80% of properties in the database that qualify for down payment programs. Through ongoing education, marketing and product adoption, more than 158,000 agents, brokers and consumers have engaged with DPR tools over the past year.

Cowen also founded Stellar Cares, a charitable arm of Stellar MLS, to support housing and community organizations. Since its 2023 launch, Stellar Cares has distributed $500,000 to 34 organizations, including $229,500 dedicated to affordable housing initiatives focused on housing stability education and community resilience.

In addition, Cowen has led initiatives that strengthen fair housing and data transparency, including Stellar MLS’s conversion to the RESO Data Dictionary, reciprocal MLS access agreements spanning 11 states and 17 countries and consumer tools such as Finding Homes, a voice-enabled home search platform for people with visual impairments, and SkySlope Offers, which helps reduce bias by concealing buyer names. Cowen has served twice as president of the Council of Multiple Listing Services and contributes to numerous national and international industry organizations.

“Merri Jo’s career has been defined by service innovation and a deep belief that fair access to housing data and resources creates stronger communities,” said Rob Chrane, DPR’s founder and CEO. “Through her leadership at Stellar MLS, she has expanded opportunities for first-time and underserved buyers while setting a powerful example of how technology and purpose can work together to advance housing affordability.”

ABOUT DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions. With a database that tracks more than 2,600 programs and toolsets for mortgage lenders, multiple listing services (MLSs) and API users, DPR helps housing professionals connect homebuyers with the assistance they need. DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by seven of the top 25 mortgage lenders, two of the largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit www.downpaymentresource.com/.

X: @DwnPmtResource #downpaymentassistance #downpayment

NEWS SOURCE: Down Payment Resource

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Down Payment Resource honors Mosi Gatling with its Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award and Skyler Lemons with its inaugural Emerging Leader Award

The Beverly Faull award program recognizes individuals or organizations for accomplishments and leadership in the affordable housing finance space

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 26, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, announced today that it has honored Mosi Gatling of New American Funding (NAF) with the 2024 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award, and Skyler Lemons of Exit Strategy Realty with hits inaugural Emerging Leader Award. Both recipients were recognized for their commitment to advancing homeownership opportunities by leveraging homebuyer assistance programs.

Image caption: Mosi Gatling (L) and Skyler Lemons (R), recipients of Down Payment Resource’s 2025 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award and inaugural Emerging Leader Award.

Mosi Gatling: Beverly Faull Award Recipient

Now in its eighth year, the Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has exhibited a steadfast commitment to expanding access to affordable homeownership. DPR created the award program in memory of one of its first employees, Beverly Faull, for her wholehearted dedication to the company’s mission to improve access to homebuyer assistance programs. DPR will donate $5,000 to the housing non-profit of Gatling’s choice.

Currently SVP of Strategic Growth and Expansion at NAF, Gatling has worked for more than 20 years to expand homeownership opportunities, particularly among people of color and first-time homebuyers. Notably, she has been instrumental in launching NAF’s Black Impact initiative to enhance homeownership accessibility in Black communities, which includes a $20 billion organizational commitment to provide new mortgages to Black homebuyers by 2028. She is also one of the top FHA loan originators in the country. Her work as a mortgage banker, along with her public advocacy at national housing forums, highlight her dedication to making homeownership more equitable.

Skyler Lemons: Emerging Leader Award Recipient

The newly announced Emerging Leader Award recognizes early career individuals who are passionate about helping homebuyers secure safe and affordable housing with the help of homebuyer assistance programs. Skyler Lemons, a real estate agent at EXIT Strategy Realty, is the award’s inaugural recipient. Down Payment Resource will donate $2,500 to the housing non-profit of Lemons’ choice.

Lemons followed in his mother’s footsteps (agent Marki Lemons-Ryhal), in realizing the importance of helping South Side Chicago residents secure affordable housing. As a youth, he volunteered on affordable housing projects. He became a licensed real estate broker after graduating from Howard University College of Business. Just four years into his career, he’s the top agent in units sold at the largest EXIT Strategy Realty franchise. Having negotiated over $150,000 in down payment assistance and closing costs in 2024 alone, he is called the “Down Payment Grant King” by colleagues. In 2025, Lemons is launching the Center for Empowering Moves, an initiative to strengthen affordable housing pathways for Black Americans.

“We receive incredible nominations for this award each year, but this year’s recipients stood out in an undeniable way,” said DPR’s Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “Mosi has dedicated decades to expanding homeownership opportunities and breaking down barriers for first-time and minority homebuyers. Skyler, in just a few short years, has made a profound impact in his community, leveraging down payment assistance to help families achieve homeownership. Their passion and commitment to housing affordability are inspiring, and we are honored to recognize their work in Beverly’s memory.”

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions. With a database that tracks more than 2,400 programs and toolsets for mortgage lenders, multiple listing services (MLSs) and API users, DPR helps housing professionals connect homebuyers with the assistance they need. DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by seven of the top 25 mortgage lenders, the three largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

X: @DwnPmtResource #downpaymentassistance #homeownership #housingaffordability

Media Contact:
Johnna Szegda
Depth for Down Payment Resource
404.798.1155
johnna@depthpr.com

NEWS SOURCE: Down Payment Resource

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Down Payment Resource presents Housing and Education Alliance Founder and Executive Director Sylvia Alvarez with 2023 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that it selected Sylvia Alvarez, founder and executive director of Housing and Education Alliance (HEA), as the winner of its 2023 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award.

Now in its sixth year, the Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has exhibited a steadfast commitment to expanding access to affordable homeownership. DPR created the award program in memory of one of its first employees, Beverly Faull, for her wholehearted dedication to the company's mission to improve access to homebuyer assistance programs.

Long-time housing advocate and HUD-certified Housing Counselor Alvarez founded HEA in 2002 to serve residents of Tampa Bay, Fla. HEA has delivered more than $126 million in down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income (LMI) families in support of 12,000+ home purchases. The non-profit has received many awards including the coveted "NonProfit of the Year" through PBS's national program the Be More Awards.

Alvarez is a highly respected housing advocate and has worked with the U.S. Treasury, HUD, the Department of Agriculture and has been invited to the White House six times to consult on housing issues. She is the co-author of The American Nightmare: Strategies for Preventing, Surviving and Overcoming Foreclosure, which chronicles both the judicial and non-judicial processes, phases, options and consequences of foreclosure and how homeowners can rebuild their credit to purchase a home again. Alvarez has become an advocate and voice for homeless families and is frequently interviewed in local and national media on housing issues.

"We have been a proud partner and admirer of HEA for many years and look toward a brighter future in working together to help even more Tampa families become homeowners," said DPR CEO Rob Chrane. "I see a lot of Beverly [Faull] in Sylvia's determination and leadership style. We are thrilled to recognize her in Beverley's memory."

"I am honored DPR has recognized our efforts to help more than 55,000 Tampa Bay residents secure affordable housing. Our team has been passionate about this issue for more than two decades and continues to help LMI renters in Tampa make the move to homeownership to start to create generational wealth," Alvarez said. "We will continue to work hard to help every deserving applicant have a place to call home."

In recognition of Alvarez's achievements, DPR will make a $5,000 donation to HEA.

To learn more about HEA, visit https://www.heausa.org/.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions. With a database that tracks more than 2,200 programs and toolsets for mortgage lenders, multiple listing services and API users, DPR helps housing professionals connect homebuyers with the assistance they need. DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents.

For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that it selected Sylvia Alvarez, founder and executive director of Housing and Education Alliance (HEA), as the winner of its 2023 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

Down Payment Resource presents Richmond Association of REALTORS® CEO Laura Lafayette with 2022 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that it selected Laura Lafayette, CEO of the Richmond Association of REALTORS® (RAR), as the winner of its 2022 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award. Now in its fifth year, the award program recognizes an individual or organization that has exhibited a steadfast commitment to expanding access to affordable homeownership.

The Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award was created in memory of one of DPR's first employees, Beverly Faull, for her wholehearted dedication to the company's mission to provide greater visibility and access to homebuyer assistance programs. DPR received 51 nominations for this year's award cycle. A housing professional with three decades of experience in the industry, Lafayette was selected for her work expanding access to affordable housing as CEO of RAR and the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Lafayette's most notable accomplishments include organizing local Affordable Housing Awareness Week initiatives for ten years running, which mobilized hundreds of volunteers across Richmond to help local affordable housing nonprofits build and repair homes. She also launched the Partnership for Housing Affordability, a nonprofit that champions affordable housing policies and programs in the Richmond region, and she led the creation and implementation of the Richmond Regional Housing Framework.

Some affordable housing initiatives that Lafayette is currently spearheading include a regional home repair program for low-to-moderate income seniors, a pilot low-income real estate tax relief program and a pilot initiative that provides partial real estate tax exemption to Richmond's affordable housing providers as a way to preserve existing affordable housing.

"Affordable housing accessibility has been a passion of mine for decades because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to secure safe, sustainable homeownership for their family," said Lafayette. "I am incredibly grateful to DPR for their recognition and for supporting my mission to help industry professionals better meet the housing finance needs of the diverse Richmond community."

In recognition of her achievements, DPR will make a $5,000 donation on Lafayette's behalf to the charitable organization of her choice. Lafayette has opted to contribute the funds to the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to create affordable, sustainable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households. Lafayette established the organization in 2015 and has helped it become one of the fastest-growing community land trusts in the country. She currently serves on the board as the immediate past chair.

To learn more about Lafayette's work with the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, visit https://maggiewalkerclt.org/.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With toolsets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Twitter: @DwnPmtResource #downpaymentassistance #homebuyerassistance #affordablehousing @of_Richmond

Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that it selected Laura Lafayette, CEO of the Richmond Association of REALTORS® (RAR), as the winner of its 2022 Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/