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AHF Online Article Archives
July 2008
COVER STORY
A Fight in Woodstock
NIMBY opposition is growing across the country, costing affordable housing developers precious time and valuable money. Kevin O'Connor is among the developers facing neighborhood resistance. Read about his efforts plus the war stories of other veteran housing developers and the lessons they have learned.
Kevnin O'Connor wants to build the most innovative affordable housing project in upstate New York. He has found a prime site, prepared extensive plans, and even won elusive financing for his deal, which would bring 53 units of needed housing to the famed town of Woodstock.
- Special Report: Affordable Housing Hall of Fame
- Special Focus: Turf Wars: How to Fight NIMBYism
- New Directions
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Asset Management
- Regional Report: Southeast
- Green Scene
June 2008
COVER STORY
Industry Bids Fond Farewell to a Leader
Housing and community development organizations all across the country have been throwing banquets, luncheons, and other events to honor Bart Harvey for his long service as chairman of Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., and its for-profit subsidiary, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc.
Harvey retired from the leadership of Enterprise in March, ending a career that began in 1984 as a temporary position he took while on sabbatical from his real job as a Wall Street investment banker.
- Special Focus: State Housing Agency Leadership Forum
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- New Directions
- Market Opportunities
- Regional Report: Northeast
- Green Scene
May 2008
COVER STORY
View From the Top
Here they are: The AHF 50. The top affordable housing owners and developers are revealed in our exclusive lists. See how many units are owned and how many units were started in 2007 by the leading companies. The NRP Group topped the list of developers with more than 1,700 units started last year, and the Michaels Development Co. was the largest owner with more than 40,000 units.
- Special Focus: The AHF 50
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset Management
- Regional Report: Midwest
- Green Scene
April 2008
COVER STORY
Green Building Saves $$$
Green building really does save money, and affordable housing developers have the operating data to prove it. Several developers opened their books to AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE to share the lessons they've learned from operating some of the first green affordable housing developments.
- Special Focus: AHF's Practical Guide to Green Building
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset Management
- Regional Report: West
- Green Scene
March 2008
COVER STORY
What the Next President Needs to Know
Ideas abound on how to put the federal government back in the affordable housing business. The challenge is to build consensus around a succinct set of principles for the next president to consider implementing, and then work tirelessly to get the platform in front of party leaders, delegates, Congress, and the candidates' advisers. Do more than read about our policy ideas. Help us turn them into a powerful instrument for change.
- Special Focus: Rethinking Federal Housing Policy
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: South Central
- Green Scene
February 2008
COVER STORY
Downtown Turnaround
A decade ago, Birmingham, Ala., was just another Southern city whose wealthiest residents had fled to the outer-ring suburbs. Today, it's being transformed, thanks in part to a mixed-income HOPE VI project. Find out how new housing is driving a downtown revival.
- Special Focus: Top 25 Affordable Housing Lenders
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: Southeast
- Green Scene
January 2008
COVER STORY
Seeds of Change
Their low wages make farmworkers among the hardest people to house. Learn about the challenges that these workers face and how developers put together their recent farmworker housing deals. Also, read about other populations that are among the hardest to house in the nation.
- Special Focus: Hardest to House
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: Northeast
- Green Scene
COVER STORY
TAX CREDITS & TAX-EXEMPT BONDS
This special state-by-state guide offers an exclusive compilation of changes in tax credit and tax-exempt bond allocation plans for 2008. The information is presented by state alphabetically, starting with tax credit information, then private-activity tax-exempt bond information. States were asked to provide details about their 2008 plans and 2007 activity.
NOTE: Not all states had their 2008 plans finalized at press time.
- TAX CREDITS & TAX-EXEMPT BONDS:
STATE-BY-STATE PREVIEW
DECEMBER SUPPLEMENT
HOUSING FOR ALL AMERICANS This special issue features resident profiles demonstrating how affordable housing has made a difference in people's lives and how affordable housing developments are strengthening communities.
For more information on affordable housing needs in America, go to the Web sites of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies at www.jchs.harvard.edu or the National Low Income Housing Coalition at www.nlihc.org.
NOTE: The Housing For All Americans Supplement Issue also featured the 36 finalists and winners of AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE magazine's Readers' Choice Awards for the Best Affordable Housing Developments of 2006-2007, which can be found here.
COVER STORY
Best of the Best
The winners of AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE's 2007 Readers' Choice Awards are innovative, diverse, and green. Learn more about these amazing projects including Lord Tennyson Apartments in Hayward, Calif., and Solara in Poway, Calif., which tied for best overall development.
- Special Focus: Capital Markets Outlook 2008
- Special Report: CRA at 30
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: Midwest
- Finishing Touches
- Reader Input Wanted:
COVER STORY
Tackling the Tough Projects
Led by Gladys Jordan, the Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Chicago has started construction on three supportive-housing developments this year. Her group concentrates on developing the projects, while its community partners focus on providing services and programs.
- Special Focus: Rising Construction Costs
- Special Report: Affordable Housing Hall of Fame
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: Midwest
- Coming Events
- Finishing Touches
- Reader Input Wanted:
COVER STORY
Breaking Out of the Box
Local residents and officials demand good design—and affordable housing developers and architects are paying close attention, resultin gin a collaborative process that often leads to better designs. Learn how the industry is rethinking design, including the latest in green building and townhomes.
- Special Focus: Rethinking Affordable Housing Design
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: South Central
- Coming Events
- Finishing Touches
COVER STORY
AHF Best of 2006-2007
This special issue of Affordable Housing Finance featured 36 finalists in the competition for the third annual Readers' Choice Awards for the Nation's Best Affordable Housing Developments. Affordable Housing Finance subscribers vote to select the winners.
- Readers' Choice Finalists by Category
FAMILY FINALISTS [View slideshow ]
HISTORIC REHAB FINALISTS [View slideshow]
HOMEOWNERSHIP FINALISTS [View slideshow ]
MASTER-PLANNED/MIXED-USE FINALISTS [View slideshow ]
PRESERVATION FINALISTS [View slideshow]
RURAL FINALISTS [ View slideshow ]
SENIORS FINALISTS [ View slideshow ]
SPECIAL-NEEDS FINALISTS [ View slideshow ]
URBAN FINALISTS [ View slideshow ]
COVER STORY
Three's a Charm
A scandal that erupted at the Miami-Dade Housing Agency last year threatened the viability of 18 low-income housing developments, as local officials put a freeze on the gap funding the projects needed. The three biggest producers of affordable housing in the county -who normally compete head-to-head for a tight supply of tax credits- joined forces to break the logjam.
- News Analysis: The Trouble with HUD and How to Fix it
- Special Focus: Developers Talk Back
- Grapevine
- The Buzz
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Market Opportunities
- Asset & Property Management
- Regional Report: Southeast
- Coming Events
- Finishing Touches
COVER STORY
Is HUD Contracting Out of Control?
In an in-depth investigation, AHF sheds new light on how HUD chooses and manages the firms that received about $5.5 billion in contracts since the Bush administration took office, and what these actions mean to the housing industry.
PLUS :: Interactive Timeline ::
Alphonso Jackson's Political Journey
- News Analysis: The Trouble with HUD and How to Fix it
- Special Focus: State Housing Agency Leadership
- Housing Policy
- Finance
- Asset & Property Management
- Market Opportunities
- Regional Report: Northeast
COVER STORY
The AHF 50
Exclusive Survey Ranks Top Owners, Developers.
COVER STORY
Teaching Fannie and Freddie New Tricks
SPECIAL FOCUS: NEW ERA FOR FANNIE MAE & FREDDIE MAC
When their accounting scandals were revealed, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac worked feverishly to battle proposals for increased oversight and fight back at their critics in Congress. But like punished schoolchildren, they now are ready to sit quietly in their seats and take instruction. >>more
FEATURE
Public Housing Pushes Forward
SPECIAL FOCUS >> PUBLIC HOUSING BEYOND HOPE VI
Sharon Gist-Gilliam, CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority, inspects progress on construction of Park Boulevard, a 1,300-unit development that will replace the 1,644-unit Stateway Gardens public housing project south of downtown Chicago. Only one of the eight high-rises at Stateway remains to be demolished, as new condos and detached for-sale homes, with replacement public housing mixed in, rise beside it. >>more
FEATURE
A Safe Place to Land
REGIONAL REPORT: SOUTHEAST
The NuRock Cos. and the Cherokee Family Violence Center teamed up to build Hearthstone Landing in Canton, Ga., an affordable apartment community for victims of domestic abuse where residents begin to reclaim their lives. >>more
FEATURE
The American Nightmare
SPECIAL FOCUS > > THE FACE OF AMERICA'S HOMELESS
Families make up half of the homeless population, yet they are the hidden face of homelessness. Read about how more parents and their children are living on the edge and what's being done to get them of the streets. >>more
SPECIAL ISSUE
2007 Tax Credit and Bond Preview
STATE-BY-STATE GUIDE
This special issue of Affordable Housing Finance offers readers an exclusive compilation of changes in tax credit and tax-exempt bond allocation plans for 2007 for all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The information is presented by state, starting with tax credit information, then private-activity tax-exempt bond information with each state listed in alphabetical order. States were asked to provide details about their 2007 plans and 2006 activity. Not all states had their 2007 plans finalized at press time.
FEATURE
BEST OF THE BEST
Builders finished this HOPE VI redevelopment on time and under budget. They also replaced nearly three-quarters of the public housing apartments that were torn down to make room for the new community. Those are just a few of the reasons readers picked Maverick Landing as the nation's best overall project in Affordable Housing Finance's 2006 Readers' Choice Awards. Sarah Barnat, project manager for Trinity Financial, Inc., and Albert Caldarelli, president of the East Boston Community Development Corp., stand by their project.
COVER STORY
A Place of Our Own
The nation's first transitional housing development for deaf and deaf-blind women who are victims of domestic violence prepares to open its doors. Read about the long journey of Marilyn Smith, executive director of Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services, the organization that developed this unique facility. >>more
- Special Focus: Insurance Costs High and Rising
- Housing Policy: Boosting Affordable Housing
- Housing Policy: Columbus, Ohio: City Fights Back Against Blight
- Housing Policy: Santa Cruz, Calif.: Granny-Unit Law Adopted
- Housing Policy: Highland Park, Ill.: City Adopts a Sweeping Approach
- Housing Policy: East Providence, RI.: Affordable Housing Added to Waterfront District Plans
- Housing Policy: Carlsbad, Calif.: City Ordinance Produces More Than 1,700 Units
- Housing Policy: Seattle: Residents Pass Housing Levy to Raise Funds
- Housing Policy: Montgomery County, Md.: 12,000 Units Created by Montgomery County Program
- Housing Policy: Austin, Texas: Incentives to Aid Affordable Projects
- Housing Policy: Sacramento, Calif.: Sacramento Pilots Pre-Approved Plan Program
COVER STORY
NRP Rises in Texas
The NRP Group is making a stand in Texas. Dan Markson, vice president of development, has helped the company open two developments in San Antonio this year, with more on the horizon. >>more
FEATURE
Developers talk back
Affordable housing developers from across the nation reveal what's happening on the front lines in AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE magazine's exclusive survey. They tell us how much they spend applying for low-income housing tax credits, the cost per square foot of their most recent developments, and what issues are presenting the biggest challenges. >>more
FEATURE
Baltimore takes on HUD properties
With Baltimore's most dangerous public housing projects already rehabilitated, the city is turning its attention to its 14,200 apartments still subsidized under old HUD housing programs. >> more
FEATURE
Why we must fight NIMBYism
Simpson Housing President Michael Costa defines the problem and offers suggestions for fighting the Not in My Backyard syndrome. >> more
Plus: Local initiatives take on NIMBYism
FEATURES
- News and Letters to the editor
- Grapevine: Poor Alphonso Jackson
- The Buzz: News, Chatter, and People
- Washington Update: HUD budget includes ups, downs for housing
- Washington Briefs: HUD gets tough on HOME "soft costs"
- Tax Credit Equity: Boston Capital's Manning discusses year's key issues
- State & Local Equity Funds: State and local equity funds share 2006 goals
- Fannie Mae Update: Small loans loom large for Fannie
- Freddie Mac Update: Freddie keeps conduits in crosshairs
- Special Focus, Rehab & Preservation: HUD properties get lift from local authorities
- Special Focus, Rehab & Preservation: Developer preserves entire 1,330-unit portfolio
- Special Focus, Rehab & Preservation: Neighborhood group fights blight
- Development Strategy: Eminent domain helps affordable housing, for now
- Building Blocks: Protect the investment
- Ask Ruth: Confronting minimum set-asides and applicable fractions
- Asset & Property Management: Bringing broadband home
- Regional Report, South Central: Texas uprising: Houston hospital remade into housing
- Regional Report, South Central: Nonprofit pioneers SRO housing in Houston
- Regional Report, South Central: Colonias remake themselves
- Regional Report, South Central: TDHCA leadership changes
- Regional Report, South Central: City Hall Lofts help revitalize downtown
- Regional Report, South Central: Hotel revived to serve seniors
- Regional News: National
- Finishing Touches: A new hero for the Gulf Coast: The $35,000 house.
SPECIAL SECTION: GREEN BUILDING
FEATURE
Tips for tackling NIMBY
Winning or losing a battle against NIMBYism often hinges on how well you know your opponents' motives so you can craft a response best suited to convincing them to support you or at least not stand in the way. >> more
Plus: News report: Survey finds broad opposition to development — of any kind
FEATURE
Industry leaders debate LIHTC improvements
A unique gathering of the affordable housing industry's top developers, financiers, accountants and attorneys produced a list of ways to improve the low-income housing tax credit program. Read the list and get involved. >> more
FEATURE
Mastering the shifting equity market
Investors continue to pay high amounts of tax credit equity, but they are reporting a greater willingness to walk away from deals. Four major corporate investors tell us what's right and what's wrong with the market today, as well as where they see it going in the future. >> more
SPECIAL ISSUE
Choose the winners
This special issue features 35 finalists for our 2005 “Readers’ Choice Awards for the Nation’s Best Affordable Housing Developments.” We asked Affordable Housing Finance readers to choose the winners in each of the eight categories as well as the best project overall. The links to the project articles are below. The project pages include additional financial information from the developer. >> more
- Family Projects
- Belmont Heights Estates, Phase II, in Tampa, FL.
- Domingo Viernes Apartments in Seattle, WA.
- Newport Heights, Phase I, in Newport, R.I.
- North Beach Place in San Francisco, CA.
- River View in Guadalupe, CA.
- Via Roble Apartments in Escondido, CA.
- Master-Planned Communities
- Rural/Farmworker Projects
- Special Needs/SRO Projects
FEATURE
LISC celebrates 25 years in affordable housing
The Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) is active in 37 states, working with its local affiliates to promote the development of affordable housing and a range of other community facilities. The National Equity Fund has invested $4.7 billion to create 68,000 affordable rental homes and apartments since LISC formed it in 1987. Find out what LISC's leadership plans for the future. >> more
PLUS: LISC comes through for CDCs
- 2005 housing tax credit preview (December 2004)
- 2005 tax-exempt bond preview (December 2004)
- HUD issues new regs for GSEs, tax credits and bonds (December 2004)
- Illinois broadens preservation law (October 2004)
- Freddie Mac introduces delegated underwriting for LIHTC loans (September 30, 2004)
- Florida Housing Finance Corp. helps with hurricane recovery (September 29, 2004)
- House committee OKs '05 HUD funding bill (September 2004)
- Larger institutions get laxer CRA oversight (September 2004)
- Regional News: Developments across the nation (September 2004)
- South rises on housing crisis list (September 2004)
- Insurers win capital reserves campaign, could fuel LIHTC investments (September 2004)
- Avoid credit delays on multiphase historic projects (September 2004)
- Artists find a new place to call home (September 2004)
- President Bush issues "ownership society" plan (August 2004)
- HUD finally releases proposed 2005 fair market rents (August 2004)
- Edson Awards recognize innovation (July 2004)
- Regional News: Developments across the nation (July 2004)
- Crisis continues in the voucher program (July 2004)
- HUD releases simplified SuperNOFA (July 2004)
- Senate passes tax bill repealing 10-year rule for mortgage bonds (July 2004)
- 'American Dream' pie sliced for serving (July 2004)
- Fannie unveils auction-rate bond (July 2004)
- CTCAC's Peterson to take new post
- First-round winners close NMTC deals
- HUD cushions Sec. 8 shortfall with new funds
- Bank of America preserves affordable housing among mansions (May 2004)
- Next stop: housing--Mass transit fills apartments but adds to unit cost (May 2004)
- Tax credit and tax-exempt bond allocation update (May 2004)
- Housing agency takes control of troubled neighborhood (May 2004)
- Washington briefs (May 2004)
- Washington update (May 2004)
- Flexibility makes challenging projects succeed (April 2004)
- Strong year in the works as ESIC celebrates 20th anniversary (April 2004)
- Proposed underwriting models may boost Freddie financing (April 2004)
- Regional news: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Texas, Tennessee, Alaska, Montana (April 2004)
- Tax credit prices reach new heights; California deal nets 97 cents (April 2004)
- Washington briefs: Comments invited on proposed CRA revisions (April 2004)
- Washington update: New Sec. 8 proposal gets rough reception (April 2004)
- Bank mergers draw community reinvestment concerns (March 2004)
- Fannie Mae invested $3.1 billion for affordable housing in 2003 (March 2004)
- FHA financing for LIHTCs jumped $218.6 million (March 2004)
- RBC Dain Rauscher buys William R. Hough & Co. (March 2004)
- At-risk young adults given road to success (March 2004)
- Washington update: Fiscal '05 budget would revise voucher program (March 2004)
- Innovator fights for affordable housing on all fronts (February 2004)
- Jackson takes HUD's helm (February 2004)
- Housing agencies react to market study standards (February 2004)
- Fighting NIMBY with art in North Miami (February 2004)
- U.K. looks at establishing housing tax credit (February 2004)
- Washington update (February 2004)
- Villages of East Lake wins ULI recognition (January 2004)
- Industry roundtable: Leaders discuss ways to cope with soft markets (January 2004)
- MacArthur Foundation opens window for housing preservation (January 2004)
- NCSHA releases standards for tax credit allocations (January 2004)
- Regional news (January 2004)
- Washington update (January 2004)
- CharterMac completes acquisition of Related Capital
- Dean speaks out on community development
- AHF's exclusive look at 2004 tax credit and tax-exempt bond plans (December 2003)
- States identify biggest issues, trends for '04 (December 2003)
- Market forces squeeze bond deals (December 2003)
- Nonprofit buys former public housing project (November 2003)
- FHA multifamily insurance authority restored (November 2003)
- Market analysts adopt voluntary standards for market studies (November 2003)
- NCHFA receives favorable private letter ruling (November 2003)
- Regional news (November 2003)
- Washington briefs (November 2003)
- Washington update (November 2003)
- New agency proposed to watch Fannie, Freddie (October 2003)
- Housing wage is three times minimum wage, says NLIHC (October 2003)
- HUD suspends FHA MF commitments (October 2003)
- Mixed-use projects spread across the country (October 2003)
- Regional News (October 2003)
- Washington Briefs (October 2003)
- Washington Update (October 2003)
- Washington update: House passes fiscal 2004 HUD appropriations bill (September 2003)
- Washington briefs (September 2003)
- Fannie Mae's forward commitment revamped (September 2003)
- The management challenges of small markets (September 2003)
- Market studies: a critical tool for successful projects (September 2003)
- Regional news: Illinois, DC, New York, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, South Carolina, Colorado (September 2003)
- Tax credit overview: Demand for tax credits grows in 2003 (August 2003)
- Tax-exempt bond overview: Competition eases for private-activity bond cap (August 2003)
- California tie-breaker gives four-bedroom units advantage (August 2003)
- New York hands out $34 million in LIHTCs (August 2003)
- LIHTC requests fall in Texas (August 2003)
- NCSHA conference focuses on strengthening programs (August 2003)
- Election update: Democratic presidential hopefuls' positions on housing (July 2003)
- California announces first-round tax credit winners (July 2003)
- Tax credit escapes damage in tax cut legislation (July 2003)
- Syndicators cheer tax bill, ready for future fights (July 2003)
- Habitat for Humanity opens housing "theme park" (July 2003)
- Regional news (July 2003)
- How to win a 2003 NMTC allocation (June 2003)
- Tax credit advocates declare victory on dividend-tax issue (June 2003)
- Philadelphia Housing Authority puts time limit on voucher use in HUD demo (June 2003)
- The post-mature affordable housing partnership (June 2003)
- Regional news (June 2003)
- The AHF interview: Senator Snowe takes a stand on taxes (June 2003)
- Washington update: House subcommittee approves HOPE VI, HOME downpayment bills (June 2003)
- Washington update: budget constraints may affect dividend tax cut (May 2003)
- Public housing: the next step--hanging on to HOPE, public housing authorities try to rescue HOPE VI (May 2003)
- Housing Credit College offers brand new courses (May 2003)
- Call for entries: best affordable housing design (May 2003)
- NHC Housing Person of the Year Award Dinner (May 2003)
- Economic development: recap of first NMTC recipients (May 2003)
- Regional news (May 2003)
- Washington briefs: final rule on public housing homeownership released (May 2003)
- Washington update: Congress revises Sec. 8 voucher renewal formula (April 2003)
- Tax credits: Ernst & Young estimates impact of dividend-tax proposal (April 2003)
- Equity news: regional banks join pool of investors (April 2003)
- Property management: getting the best deal for your management dollar (April 2003)
- AHTCC announces Tax Credit Excellence Awards (April 2003)
- Regional news (April 2003)
- New directions: Countrywide announces $600 billion commitment to low-income buyers (March 2003)
- Housing policy: fight grows over dividend-tax proposal (March 2003)
- New directions: GMAC named top Fannie Mae lender (March 2003)
- Housing policy: HUD says PHA cuts won't be as deep (March 2003)
- Regional news (March 2003)
- Washington update: HUD budget terminates HOPE VI funding, includes state block-grant voucher program (March 2003)
- Compliance software: software companies unveil latest offerings (February 2003)
- Special focus: preservation, rehab and refinancing--the next preservation challenge, expiring LIHTC properties (February 2003)
- Public housing: PHAs face severe budget cuts from HUD (February 2003)
- New directions: housing industry mobilizes to fight Bush tax plan (February 2003)
- Regional news (February 2003)
- Washington briefs (February 2003)
- FHA lender news: Bush signs bill on FHA downpayments, indexing (January 2003)
- Finance news: navigating the downside of interest rates (January 2003)
- Market research: CRG set to release new database (January 2003)
- Regional news (January 2003)
- State news: resign, HUD tells Hawaii housing board (January 2003)
- Tax credit equity: investors look at the year's big issues (January 2003)
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