News
Covering The Gap: Utility Allowances and Innovative Strategies to Pursue Energy Efficiency Retrofits
Topics include: -What is a utility allowance and why they important? -Methods for UA calculation -Complexities and barriers to increased rents -Workaround and potential solutions -On bill repayment Download
Five Strategies for Engaging Residents on Sustainability
New affordable housing can be decked out with all of the latest green innovations as well as energy-efficient and water-conserving features, but maintaining a green development after construction takes additional work from property managers and residents. Five nonprofit and for-profit developers from around the country shared with Affordable Housing Finance their top strategies for engaging […]
House THUD Subcommittee Proposes Cuts to HUD Programs; CNI and HOME Programs Impacted
The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation-HUD (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee on May 5, 2014 released its draft fiscal year (FY) 2015 appropriations legislation for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
State News Week of May 5, 2014
QAP Deadlines
Minnesota: Minnesota Housing announced the availability of an estimated $70 million in funding through the 2014 consolidated Request for Proposals (RFP) and $12.5 million in 2015 Housing Tax Credits (Round 1).
New York City’s $41 Billion, Decade Long Affordable Housing Plan
Early this week New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his highly anticipated affordable housing plan entitled, “Housing New York: A Five-Borough, Ten-Year Plan”.
Update: Senate, House Continue to Work on Tax Extenders Legislation
Story Update April 30, 2014: This past week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), said that he will soon have the Senate vote on the EXPIRE Act. The bill made it out of the Senate Finance Committee with broad bipartisan support on April 3, and industry experts expect it to pass the full Senate with […]
NCHMA Releases Frequently Asked Questions Document for Model Content Standards
The National Council of Housing Market Analysts (NCHMA) today released a new supporting document to the organization’s Model Content Standards for Rental Housing Market Studies (Model Content). NCHMA’s Model Content offer a set of recommendations for standardized terminology, content, and level of analysis for market studies.
Renters Tax Credit Legislation Introduced in House
Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) recently introduced the Renters Tax Credit Act of 2014 (HR 4479), which would provide a tax credit to apartment owners and lenders that subsidize the cost of lower rents for low-income households.
Freddie Mac to Purchase and Securitize Tax-Exempt Multifamily Housing Loans
Freddie Mac recently announced a new initiative aimed at broadening the availability of financing for affordable rental properties financed with tax-exempt bonds, in order to keep rental housing affordable for low-income families. The Direct Purchase of Tax-Exempt Loans “program” will increase the liquidity needed for more affordable housing while creating investment opportunities for investors.
Greening Work Styles: An Analysis of Energy Behavior Programs in the Workplace
This report focuses on energy behavior programs in the workplace, which are designed and conducted by building owners and renters to reduce building energy use through change in employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Download
Developing a Focus for Green Building Occupant Training Materials
With the shift from conventional to green buildings a need emerges to train staff on how to work within them. Building occupants control many of the green building technologies, which makes it necessary to educate occupants on the difference between using a green building versus a conventional building in order to secure the green building’s […]
Common Ground Community Green Behavior Programs
In addition to our commitment to green design, Common Ground works to foster and promote healthy/green living and energy efficiency among the staff and tenants of our permanent supportive housing sites. Our goal is create a culture of self sufficiency as well as healthy living/green lifestyle among our tenant populations. Specifically, we work to offer […]