Let’s Figure This Out

By Marty Bell
September 1, 2019 3 min read

So here’s what rattles my nerves about the lack of sufficient affordable housing: There are many problems we are faced with as a society that we may not currently have the means to solve, particularly those that are nature-driven (i.e., dementia, global warming, storms). But we can solve the housing shortage. What it requires is will and money. It’s a societal choice. It should be a moral imperative.

The good news of the moment is that affordable housing appears to be on a lot more people’s minds. It seemed to be left off the agendas of the past few national elections. But as you will read in staff writer and columnist Scott Beyer’s story, Many Candidates, Many Housing Plans, at least four of the current presidential candidates, as well as the current administration, have issued proposals and almost all the other folks running for office have at least acknowledged the need.

If the candidates are looking for suggestions for improving our country’s housing dilemma from folks with hands-on experience (which would seem sensible), there is much to be found in the programs and experiences covered in this issue beginning with National Housing Trust President Priya Jayachandran’s call and suggestions for a “new rental assistance program for the 21st century.” (Talking Heads) Read together, the stories you will find here are a roundtable brainstorming discussion or skull session on approaches to facilitating the development and preservation of more affordable housing.

A highlight of this year’s NH&RA’s Summer Institute in Newport, RI was the opening day seminar on preservation strategies featuring a large and diversified mix of approaches, or what David A. Smith in this month’s The Guru Is In column characterizes as “Preservation Freestyle.” Differing strategies from three states—Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Colorado—are reported on in these pages by staff writer Mark Olshaker. (State and Local Preservation Solutions)

Mark also digs deeply into a recent posting by Solomon Greene and Jorge González of the Urban Institute of creative zoning initiatives being implemented by local governments designed to encourage additional affordable housing in their communities.

Two cities that have successfully and impressively tackled major problems are Miami, where the housing agency under the leadership of Michael Liu has preserved all of its public housing (Housing USA) and New Orleans, where, inspired by a challenge from Michelle Obama and under the leadership of former mayor Mitch Landrieu, veteran homelessness has all but been eliminated. (How New Orleans Eliminated Veteran Homelessness)

As a result of what we see happening out in the field, this is our second issue in a row filled with stories of innovations in housing development that prove problems that may seem insurmountable are not. Programs like the extensive preservation in some states and cities and the end of veteran homelessness are replicable. All we need is the will.

Marty Bell, Editor

Legally Speaking

Blending Yields

Alex Zeltser, Esq. & Robert Kaplan, Esq. • May 1, 2024 7 min read

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting impacts on the economy and financial markets, as well as the Federal Reserve’s raising of short-term rates to stave off inflation, interest rates and construction costs have risen dramatically, resulting in funding gaps that many multifamily affordable housing developers in the four percent LIHTC space have had difficulty filling.

Blueprint for May

The Future is Bright

Jessica Hoefer • May 1, 2024 3 min read

This is an auspicious year.

Industry Insights

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A U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas recently granted an injunction to extend the Community Reinvestment Act final rule’s effective date, April 1, along with all other implementation dates. Here’s what you need to know about the case and how it will impact LIHTC investment.