NALHFA Affordable Housing Podcast

NALHFA 2024 Election Preview Oct 21, 2024

Check out our latest episode, NALHFA’s 2024 Election Preview, where NALHFA Executive Director Jonathan Paine is joined by NALHFA Director of Government Affairs Josh Brandwein in breaking down the most critical races in for the 2024 election year. Listen now for an insightful discussion on possible policy changes, candidate polling, and the potential impacts on affordable housing programs nationwide. Election day is less than a month away, click below to get up to date on the latest from NALHFA thought leaders.

Award of Excellence Spotlight - Tucson IDA Sep 17, 2024

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. This episode features a conversation with Nicole Johnson, Business Development & Affordable Housing Program Manager at the Tucson Industrial Development Authority. She shares the story behind the award-winning project PimaTucson Lighthouse that won a NALHFA Award of Excellence earlier this year. She shares the inspiration for the project and gives an update on how the project is thriving and providing Arizona residents a pleasant and affordable place to live.

Sustainable Affordable Infrastructure with Trenton Allen Aug 22, 2024

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. This episode features a conversation between NALHFA Director of Government Affairs Josh Brandwein and Trenton Allen, CEO of Sustainable Capital Advisors. Trenton founded Sustainable Capital Advisors with the belief that we must not only accelerate the pace of sustainable infrastructure deployment but also expand who participates and benefits from the energy transition if we are to sustainably address the climate challenge. To help create this vision, Trenton has partnered with an incredibly talented team of hard-working and passionate subject matter experts, embracing creative ways to solve sustainable infrastructure challenges and turning them into profitable opportunities.

NALHFA Affordable Housing Podcast Episode: Whole-Home Repairs Act Jun 10, 2024

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. This episode features a conversation between NALHFA Director of Government Affairs Josh Brandwein and Madeleine Marr, Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA). Josh and Madeline discuss Senator Fetterman’s Whole-Home Repairs Act which was introduced this year during the 118th Congress. The Whole-Home Repairs Act would create a national five-year pilot program to expand on a successful and popular Pennsylvania program designed to help homeowners with critical home repairs. Listen now to hear more on how Senator Fetterman’s bill would help affordable housing in critical need of repair and increase infrastructure health in communities.

Innovative Adaptive Reuse Project with Aufgang Architectural Firm Nov 30, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks to Tom Loftus, Studio Director for Aufgang architectural firm to dive into their innovative setup for affordable housing in New York City.

Aufgang's innovation centers on adaptive reuse and cohabitating affordable housing and worship spaces. Victory Baptist is a pair of six-story mixed-use buildings at 1007 Union Avenue in Morrisania, The Bronx. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Michael Callaghan of Exact Capital, the structure yields 95 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 79 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $17,452 to $132,400.

In addition to the 101,226 sq. ft. of apartment space, there is 22,760 sq. ft. of commercial space. Community facility space is included, to be used by the church. The site also includes parking and space for the sanctuary and church offices.

Award of Excellence Spotlight - New York City Housing Development Corporation Nov 01, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks to the New York City Housing Development Corporation to talk about their award-winning project, 425 Grand Concourse. Joining Allison is Eric Enderlin, President of NYCHDC.

The development of 425 Grand Concourse is a success story that exemplifies what can be accomplished when innovative and committed partners, elected officials and local leaders work in concert to create community focused solutions that not only repurpose under-utilized and/or vacant sites, but more importantly, create a development that addresses critical issues such as affordability, sustainability and addressing the diverse needs of a community.

Located in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the south Bronx, this newly constructed, cutting edge, mixed-use, mixed-income, 26-story, 277-unit tower has emerged on the Grand Concourse on a 29,000-square foot site that was formerly home to the renowned, but structurally unsound, Public School 31. A site that provided education for a generation, is now repurposed to serve the community by providing, housing, open space, and community services including education, health care, a supermarket and a cultural center.

Award of Excellence Spotlight - DC Housing Finance Agency Oct 18, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward, Speaks to guests in NALHFA’s own backyard, the DC Housing Finance Agency. They talk about their award-winning project, The Douglass: A Todd A. Lee Townhome Community. Joining Allison from DCHFA is Christopher Donald, Executive Director & CEO along with Kori Heyward, current resident of The Douglass.

Multifamily HUD Update with Josh Brandwein and Ethan Handelman Sep 29, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, NALHFA Government Affairs Director Josh Brandwein and Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) discussed HUD initiatives relevant to NALHFA members including the newly announced Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO), Green and Resilient Retrofit and Multifamily Risk-Sharing programs. Click below and join the conversation to hear more about current HUD activities in the affordable housing space and opportunities for NALHFA member engagement.

Washington Update with Josh Brandwein and NYCHDC Sep 01, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Director of Government Affairs, Josh Brandwein speaks with Jessica Facciponti, NALHFA’s Legislative Committee Chair and Vice President of Government Affairs at the New York City Housing Development Corporation (NYCHDC), and Brian Daaleman, Director of External Affairs also with NYCHDC, to talk about the latest happenings in federal relations in Washington, D.C.

Evolution of Affordable Housing with Matthew Brooks Jul 19, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks with Matthew Brooks, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre on Population Dynamics and Department of Sociology at McGill University to talk about the evolution of affordable housing in the United States.

Dr. Matthew Brooks is a is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Sociology at McGill University (Montreal, QC). Matt is a trained rural sociologist and demographer whose research is focused on the causes and consequences of demographic change on communities, chiefly impacts on housing, poverty, and racial inequality. Importantly, his work explores how these changes vary between urban, suburban, and rural places in the United States.

Undoing Housing Segregation with Leah Rothstein Jul 07, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks with former community organizer, housing policy expert, and co-author to Richard Rothstein, Leah Rothstein to talk about racial inequity in housing, and what the affordable housing community can do to help undo housing segregation.

Leah Rothstein co-authored, with Richard Rothstein, a sequel to The Color of Law. While in The Color of Law, Mr. Rothstein described how government policy created residential segregation, the sequel will describe how local community groups can redress the wrongs of segregation. Leah has worked on public policy and community change, from the grassroots to the halls of government. She led the Alameda County and San Francisco probation departments’ research on reforming community corrections policy and practice to be focused on rehabilitation, not punishment. She has been a consultant to nonprofit housing developers, cities and counties, redevelopment agencies, and private firms on community development and affordable housing policy, practice, and finance.

Women in Housing and Finance with CSG Advisors Jun 01, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks with Tanya Dempsey and Nicole Graham, Co-CEOs of CSG Advisors to talk about women in the housing and financial industries and the importance of affordable housing in our society today.

Earlier this year, CSG Advisors announced its new and expanded leadership structure. Nicole Graham and Tanya Dempsey, long-standing leaders of the firm and responsible for CSG’s housing authority practice, are co-CEOs.

In addition to serving as co-CEOs, Nicole and Tanya will collectively maintain 51% ownership. This will make CSG doubly unique: not only has it completed more housing financings than any other firm, but it will now be the nation’s largest majority women-owned municipal advisory firm in the housing sector according to Thompson and Reuters Securities Data and information available on the EDGAR database.

NALHFA Award of Excellence Spotlight - DC Housing Finance Agency Feb 07, 2023

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks with Christopher Donald, Executive Director & CEO of DCHFA along with Blaise Rastello, Development Director of Affordable Housing at the Gilbane Development Company and Claudia Schlosberg, Principal at Castle Hill Consulting & former Senior Deputy Director and Medicaid Director at the Department of Healthcare Finance to talk about their recent NALHFA Award of Multifamily Excellence for their project, Livingston Place.

Livingston Place at Southern Avenue is a 152-unit affordable community reserved for seniors aged 60 and above who require assistance with two or more activities of daily living. It is the first assisted-living community in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 8, and only the second affordable assisted-living community in the entire District. Aging residents want to live in a community setting while maintaining their privacy, but they are often placed in nursing homes due to service needs. Communities like Livingston Place at Southern provide seniors with the assistance they need while allowing them to live in an active community of peers. The DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA or “the Agency”) is committed to helping D.C. seniors age in place in healthy, beautiful affordable housing.

Livingston Place has 152 apartment homes for seniors aged 60 and above. All the apartments are reserved for individuals or couples earning 60 percent or less of the area median income (AMI)and who qualify for Medicaid. In June 2019, DCHFA issued $50 million in tax-exempt bond financing and underwrote $15.3 million in LIHTC equity. The $67 million development consists of 84 efficiencies and 68 one-bedroom apartments. While much of the affordable housing across the District of Columbia is financed by the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF), this project is unique in that it did not receive any money from the fund. This allows those dollars to be used elsewhere, thus creating even more units of affordable housing in the District. Dantes Partners, Gilbane Development Company, Carding Group and H Street Community Development Corporation make up the development team for this project.

How Affordable Housing Organizations Remain Socially Responsible in Light of Fiscal Pressures Dec 06, 2022

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Senior Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Donna Sedgwick, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Virginia Tech and Dustin Read, Professor and Director of the Master of Real Estate Development Program at Clemson University. Their discussion focuses on how affordable housing companies remain socially responsible in light of the fiscal pressures in which they face.

NALHFA Post-Midterm Election Briefing Dec 01, 2022

The newest episode of the NALHFA Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Senior Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward is joined by Josh Brandwein, NALHFA’s Director of Government Affairs for a Washington Update Briefing to walk through the results of the 2022 Midterm Elections and the outcomes of congressional balances of power. Josh is joined by a special guest, Jacob Carter, a thought leader in the political sphere and the Director of Government Affairs for several other associations.

Josh Brandwein serves as the Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA). Brandwein oversees legislative operations, federal agency partnerships and advocacy on state and local government levels to strengthen the mission of affordable housing for membership.

NALHFA Midterm Election Government Affairs Update Nov 07, 2022

The newest episode of the NALHFA Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Senior Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward is joined by Josh Brandwein, NALHFA’s Director of Government Affairs for a Washington Update Briefing to walk through NALHFA’s recent legislative and regulatory activity, the upcoming midterm elections, and what to expect for the remainder of the year in Congress.

NALHFA Award of Excellence Spotlight - Knight Development Oct 19, 2022

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Senior Associate Allison Ward speaks with Holly Knight, CEO of Knight Development, Stephan Fontenot, Executive Director for the Housing Authority of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, and Sheri Davis, Senior Vice President of Highland Commercial Mortgage to talk about their recent NALHFA Award of HOME Excellence for their project, Harmony Garden Estates.

Alexandria Housing Authority (AHA) transitioned its entire portfolio from public housing to affordable housing using HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program from 2016 to 2021. Harmony Garden Estates, LP represents one phase of this comprehensive transition. Comprised of three distinct affordable housing sites (Harmony Village, Garden Gates, Tranquil Estates) and 172 units for families, this $23 million project resulted from a partnership with BGC Advantage and Alexandria Housing Authority (AHA) joined with CHDO Mount Pleasant CDC to sponsor HOME development funds and help with the transition.

Harmony Garden Estates includes three sites located within the city of Alexandria, LA. The project served to transform aging and declining properties in low-income neighborhoods. The three sites are in residential areas, and the rehab of these sites fit within other family structures, enhancing surrounding infill homes and streets of single-family owned homes. Upon completion, the sites have 100% Project-Based Vouchers.

El Paso County Economic Development - Single Family Excellence Award Recipient Dec 16, 2021

In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Eric Leonard from El Paso County Economic Development to talk about their recent NALHFA Award of Single Family Excellence for their Turnkey Plus Program.

NALHFA Affordable Housing Podcast Episode 35: DC Housing Finance Agency - Redevelopment Excellence Award Recipient Dec 02, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward Christopher Donald Executive Director and CEO of DC HFA, Chris Miller, former DCHFA Senior Director of Housing Investments, and Harvey Yancey, Managing Member of H2 DesignBuild to talk about their 2021 NALHFA Award of Redevelopment Excellence for their project, Cynthia Townhomes.

NALHFA Affordable Housing Podcast Episode 34: Allegheny County Economic Development Corporation - HOME Excellence Award Recipient Nov 04, 2021

In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Louis Weyand from Allegheny County Economic Development and Gregg Kander from Ohringer Arts to talk about their recent NALHFA Award of HOME Excellence for their project, the Ohringer Building that received the prestigious NALHFA Award of Multifamily Excellence in 2021.

New York City Housing Development Corporation - Multifamily Excellence Award Recipient Sep 21, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Eric Enderlin from the New York City Housing Development Corporation to discuss The Essex project that received the prestigious NALHFA Award of Multifamily Excellence.

Washington Update: Infrastructure Legislation Aug 19, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, NALHFA’s Director of Government Affairs breaks down the current status of infrastructure efforts on Capitol Hill, including the outlook for housing priorities in a budget reconciliation package. This episode will dive into NALHFA’s advocacy strategy and discuss potential outcomes for infrastructure and housing provisions over the next month.

NALHFA Expert Discussion: Gene Slater on Racial Inequity in the Housing Community Aug 13, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Gene Slater, longtime NALHFA member and expert in the housing community to discuss the relationship between race and housing and how segregation has been exasperated by the real estate industry.

NALHFA Member Spotlight - New York City Housing Development Corporation Jun 02, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Ruth Moreira from the New York City Housing Development Corporation as well as Rosanna Viera, from Director of Development at Fordham Bedford to discuss the Serviam Heights project that received the prestigious NALHFA Award of HOME Excellence in 2020.

NALHFA Member Spotlight - DC Housing Finance Agency May 07, 2021

In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Christopher Donald Executive Director and CEO of DC HFA, David Cleghorn from HELP Development Corporation, and Lisa Harris, a resident at Walter Reed to discuss the HELP USA Walter Reed Apartments project that received the prestigious NALHFA Award of Redevelopment Excellence in 2020.

NALHFA Member Spotlight - Washington County CDA May 07, 2021

In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Kristen and Melissa from Washington County CDA, Michelle Pribyl from LHB, Inc., and Craig Theis from Colliers Mortgage to discuss the Glen at Valley Creek project that received the prestigious NALHFA Award of Multifamily Excellence in 2020.

NALHFA Member Spotlight - Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development Apr 13, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Arlene Robinson, Senior Project Coordinator at Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development and Becky Landon from the Landon Group to discuss the Hook and Ladder Apartments project that received the prestigious NALHFA Award of Redevelopment Excellence in 2020.

Hook & Ladder Apartments in Minneapolis, Minnesota is an innovative new construction affordable rental project located in Northeast Minneapolis. Completed in 2019, this workforce housing project developed by Newport Midwest includes 118 affordable units in two buildings: a 59-unit building constructed to the Enterprise Green Communities standard, and a 59-unit building built to Passive Housing certification.

NALHFA Member Spotlight - Nevada Rural Housing Authority - HAL University Mar 31, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Membership and Operations Associate Allison Ward speaks with Katie Coleman, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Nevada Rural Housing Authority to discuss the Home at Last University (or HAL U) project that was awarded a NALHFA Award of Single-Family Excellence in 2020.

Be sure to check out the below project description to get a sneak peek into our conversation:

From the instant when homeownership is a twinkle in a buyer’s eye, education should be the driver behind every decision made throughout the buying process. As all “housers” (that’s what we like to call ourselves at Nevada Rural Housing Authority) know, the homebuying process is mega complex and results in one of the biggest transactions most of us will ever experience in our lifetimes. Data also tells us that education not only helps a homebuyer’s success but also that of a housing finance agency and industry -- low delinquency rates point to the benefit and positive outcomes of solid homebuyer education. Home At Last™, a program of Nevada Rural Housing Authority, makes it a priority to provide valuable and relevant education to its homebuyers each step of the way (even beyond the close). In fact, because homebuyer education is a cornerstone of successful homeownership, Home At Last™ has made it a cornerstone of its entire program. Home At Last™ University (HAL U for short), is the premier education and training brand created for homebuyers, lenders and real estate professionals who are part of our Home At Last™ universe.

NALHFA Washington Update Mar 17, 2021

The newest episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast is now available. In this episode, Director of Government Affairs Kevin McKenney speaks with Jessica Facciponti, Director of Government Affairs at the New York Housing Development Corporation and Chair of NALHFA's Legislative Committee to discuss NALHFA's priorities and victories in the policy sphere and to provide members an update on recent legislative activity.

Listen now to hear the latest on the COVID-19 Relief Bill, its impact on the housing industry and affordability, and the key upcoming housing policy topics.

NALHFA Member Spotlight - Nevada Rural Housing Authority Mar 09, 2021

During its 2020 Virtual Annual Conference, NALHFA presented the Nevada Rural Housing Authority with an Award of HOME Excellence Award in recognition of the Desert Properties development. Working with a consortium of public and private partners, including state and federal housing agencies and local community service groups, Nevada Rural Housing Authority administers a variety of successful housing programs, including Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance, a single family mortgage program, weatherization assistance, and affordable rental housing. Collectively, NRHA owns twelve affordable housing developments located throughout rural Nevada. Two of these properties, Belmont and Desert Apartments in Tonopah, were recently acquired and rehabilitated by NRHA. This award submission aims to highlight the acquisition, financing and rehabilitation work done for the Desert property, specifically, as it faced extraordinary challenges – challenges NRHA was ready and willing to tackle head on with innovative strategies

NALHFA Member Spotlight - Garland Housing Finance Corporation Feb 19, 2021

During its 2020 Virtual Annual Conference, NALHFA presented the Garland Housing Finance Agency with an Award of Redevelopment Excellence award in recognition of the City Square Lofts development. The long vacant and blighted former Bank of America Tower was transformed from an obsolete 6 story office/bank building to this truly innovative and unique development in the heart of Garland. The development is a centerpiece of a downtown community revitalization plan implement by the City. Development is in two phases, with the first phase now completed. It is transformational for Downtown Garland which has invested heavily in improving public infrastructure and developing properties around light rail presence in Downtown Garland. Reaction from the community has been overwhelmingly positive with immediate lease up upon opening.

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