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Affordable Housing Finance

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DECEMBER 2007
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.

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.

NOVEMBER 2007
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.

OCTOBER 2007
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.

SEPTEMBER 2007
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.

AUGUST 2007
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

JULY 2007
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.

 

JUNE 2007
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

MAY 2007
COVER STORY

The AHF 50
Exclusive Survey Ranks Top Owners, Developers.

  • Top 50 Owners
  • Top 50 Developers
  • Top 10 Companies Completing Acquisitions

    • APRIL 2007
    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

    MARCH 2007
    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

    FEBRUARY 2007
    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

    JANUARY 2007
    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

    2006

    DECEMBER 2006
    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.

    NOVEMBER 2006
    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.

    OCTOBER 2006
    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

    SEPTEMBER 2006
    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

    JULY 2006
    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

    JUNE 2006
    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

    MAY 2006
    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

    APRIL 2006
    FEATURES

    MARCH 2006
    SPECIAL SECTION: GREEN BUILDING

    FEBRUARY 2006
    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

    JANUARY 2006
    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

    2005

    SEPTEMBER 2005
    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

    • New Directions news: GMACCH sold, NeighborWorks honors
    • Guess Commentary: Fighting to keep CRA strong
    • The Buzz
    • Washington Update: Senate rejects Bush housing, CDBG plans
    • Washington Briefs: Community development grants to be graded
    • Housing Policy: Public housing study calls for property-based financing tool
    • Tax Credit Equity: Waiting and waiting for the correction
    • Fannie Mae Update: Fannie promises reinvigorated multifamily effort; plus: Freddie's new multifamily head
    • Historic Tax Credits: Fund focuses on small historic credit deals
    • Development & Construction: Doing green rehabs can pay off

     

    SPECIAL ISSUE
    AUGUST 2005

    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.

    Homeownership Projects

    • Bacontown Community Revitalization Program in Laurel, MD.
    • Dupont Commons in Washington, D.C.
    • Hillboro Place in Reno, NV.

    Master-Planned Communities

    • Ashley CollegeTown at West End in Atlanta, GA.
    • Cuyler-Brownsville in Savannah, GA.
    • The Villages at Park DuValle in Louisville, KY.

    Rehab Projects

    • Bon Secours Chesapeake Apartments in Baltimore, MD.
    • The Grand Apartments in Roseburg, OR.
    • Livestock Exchange Building in Omaha, NE.
    • YWCA in Boston, MA.

    Rural/Farmworker Projects