CEDAR RAPIDS — The Oak Hill Jackson Brickstones project has been recognized as the best affordable-housing tax-credit project in the nation built as part of a community’s disaster recovery.

The award for the two new apartment buildings on Sixth Street SE comes from the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. The coalition recognized a project in each of seven categories from among 48 applicants in 21 states.

In singling out the Brickstones for an Excellence Award, the coalition cited the project’s location, unique design features, financing and community support.

Brickstones developer Jack Hatch, president of Hatch Development Group of Des Moines, credited the city of Cedar Rapids for inspiring his firm to build the Brickstones.

“After the most devastating flood in the state’s history, Cedar Rapids came together and never looked back,” Hatch said in a statement. “The mayor, the City Council, city staff, the neighborhood and the business community should feel that this award is as much recognition for their hard work as it is of our work.”

The first of the Oak Hill Jackson Brickstones apartment buildings, with 54 apartments, is now open at Sixth Street SE and 12th Avenue SE. The second apartment building, with 42 apartments at Sixth Street SE and Ninth Avenue SE, will open in early summer.