The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) recently released 2020 Application Updates, the THOMAS User Manual and the 2020 New Construction County Needs Scores. THDA intends to propose an amendment related to Special At Risk and Distressed Counties Assistance which would impact the 2020 competitive cycle at the January 29, 2020 Board Meeting. The amendment would clarify that proposed developments must meet all of the following requirements:

  • New construction; and
  • No more than 64 units; and
  • Located wholly within one of the following counties: Benton, Bledsoe, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Decatur, Fentress, Grainger, Grundy, Hancock, Hardeman, Hardin, Hawkins, Haywood, Henderson, Houston, Jackson, Johnson, Lake, Lauderdale, Lewis, McNairy, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Obion, Overton, Perry, Rhea, Scott, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, or Weakley.

Proposals that meet those requirements are eligible for:

  • Per development annual LIHC limit of $1.3 million (which is the same at the Urban per development limit, $200,000 above the suburban and $500,000 above the rural); and
  • Basis boost of up to 130%, as determined by THDA; and
  • New construction in a HUD-designated Qualified Census Tract permissible; and
  • Applicable total development cost limits increased by 10.0 percent.

THDA announced several staff appointments including,

Edwin King is the new director of the Multifamily Programs Division where he will lead implementation of the Housing Credit and the Multifamily Tax-Exempt Bond Authority programs. Prior to joining THDA, Edwin served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Housing Corporation and as Chief of Staff of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance & Administration Cabinet.

Don Watt is now THDA’s Chief Programs Officer. Don will oversee implementation of a variety of programs, including those administered through the Community Programs Division, the Housing Credit and Multifamily Tax-Exempt Bond Authority, programs administered through THDA’s Multifamily Programs Division, the Housing Choice Voucher Program administered through the Rental Assistance Division, and THDA’s work under its Section 8 Project-Based Contract Administration agreement with HUD.

Cynthia Peraza is the director of the revamped Community Programs Division and will oversee the programs previously administered by the Community Programs Division (HOME, National HTF, ESG, Competitive Grants, Emergency Repair, LIHEAP, WAP, and THTF) as well as those previously administered by the Single-Family Special Programs Division (Tennessee Renovation Loan, Blight Elimination, and Appraisal Gap).