Abigail Savitch-Lew (left) and Adi Talwar.

City Limits’ indefatigable housing reporter Abigail Savitch-Lew and supremely dedicated photographer Adi Talwar were honored last night with first place wins at the Center for Community and Ethnic Media’s 2016 Ippies Awards.

Savitch-Lew, whose work for City Limits began with a 2013 internship, won in the Best Social-Issues Story for her story “The Price of Housing Preservation: Linden Plaza’s Saga” while Talwar, who has shot for us for six years, took home the win in Best Photography for the exquisite portrait you see below, which appeared here.

City Limits’ 40th anniversary year has opened with a very successful awards season. Besides the Ippies victories, we were pleased to be honored with WNYC for our joint The Cost of Our Water series, which won a National Headliner Award. The 2015 series on The Rap Sheet Trap was a finalist for a Deadline Club Award, and next week we’ll claim two New York Press Club awards for Ben Hattem’s story (supported by The Nation Institute’s I-Fund) on forced medication at Bellevue and for our team coverage of housing issues in calendar 2015.

In other words, if you aren’t already receiving our free weekly newsletter and supporting independent in-depth journalism by becoming a member of City Limits (and maybe even attending our 40th Anniversary Gala in September), what’s your excuse?

Adi Talwar

Natasha Creese relaxing with family and friends after a Sunday lunch. She recently faced a 112 percent rent hike.