Regional science

NEF announces $1.5B in 2020 affordable housing investments

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Affordable housing, Housing in the United States, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Taxation in the United States, Economy, Regional science, Articles, National Equity Fund, Inc., Tax credit, Local Initiatives Support Corporation

All told, NEF invested $1.5 billion for the year, including more than $1 billion in equity for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments and $420 million in loans to finance affordable housing preservation efforts.

Key Points: 
  • All told, NEF invested $1.5 billion for the year, including more than $1 billion in equity for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments and $420 million in loans to finance affordable housing preservation efforts.
  • Combined, those efforts are supporting more than 13,240 units of affordable housing nationwide, along with an estimated 16,200 jobs.
  • "I can't think of a time when affordable housing has been more important to our communities or our national economy," said Matthew Reilein, NEF president and CEO.
  • In 2020, NEF continued to grow its business beyond its traditional LIHTC investments to encompass a range of housing finance solutions.

Symposium on expanding shared equity housing highlights innovations and best practices in community-owned land

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Housing in the United States, Affordable housing, Local government in the United States, NeighborWorks America, Government, Economy of the United States, Regional science, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

One way to build long-term wealth is through homeownership, and a Feb. 17 NeighborWorks America virtual symposium explored shared equity housing models specific types of housing strategies that create permanently affordable homes, build wealth for families and create equitable communities.

Key Points: 
  • One way to build long-term wealth is through homeownership, and a Feb. 17 NeighborWorks America virtual symposium explored shared equity housing models specific types of housing strategies that create permanently affordable homes, build wealth for families and create equitable communities.
  • Shared Equity Housing: Creating Lasting Affordability and Community Ownership was part of the 2021 NeighborWorks Training Institute.
  • NeighborWorks America provides vital training to professionals like housing counselors who help people become homeowners and therefore increase their pathways to wealth.
  • On Aug. 1, 2021, all housing counselors must be HUD certified to provide housing counseling for a HUD participating agency.

Yardi Launches Rent Relief Software to Help Government Agencies Manage Emergency Rental Assistance Funds

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 8, 2021
Real property law, Landlord, Affordable housing, Regional science, Economic geography, Public housing in the United States, Academic disciplines

SANTA BARBARA, California, Feb. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To help governments manage the distribution process of federal emergency rental assistance, Yardi is today launching Rent Relief powered by Yardi , a powerful all-in-one platform that will help get payments to households and landlords quickly and easily.

Key Points: 
  • SANTA BARBARA, California, Feb. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To help governments manage the distribution process of federal emergency rental assistance, Yardi is today launching Rent Relief powered by Yardi , a powerful all-in-one platform that will help get payments to households and landlords quickly and easily.
  • "We worked rapidly to create an easy-to-use and quick-to-implement platform that will make distribution of emergency rental assistance straightforward and equitable," said Chris Voss, vice president of affordable housing and PHA at Yardi.
  • The goal is to help our government agencies as they deliver households and landlords the help they need."
  • Features of the cloud-based Rent Relief platform include:
    Online applications, allowing households and landlords to easily apply for assistance.

Home Federal Bank and FHLB Dallas Provide $750K for Aging Housing Complex

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 4, 2021
MEN, Family, Finance, Consumer, Other Construction & Property, Banking, Residential Building & Real Estate, Commercial Building & Real Estate, Professional services, Construction & Property, Philanthropy, Foundation, Urban planning, Women, Federal Home Loan Banks, Mortgage industry of the United States, Articles, Affordable housing, Public housing, Regional science, Economy, Home Federal Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

Home Federal Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded a $750,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) subsidy to San Benito Housing Authority for a major rehabilitation of an aging public housing complex.

Key Points: 
  • Home Federal Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded a $750,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) subsidy to San Benito Housing Authority for a major rehabilitation of an aging public housing complex.
  • Housing Solutions Alliance LLC (HSA) is San Benitos development partner and has assisted many housing authorities with the redevelopment of public housing.
  • AHP funds are intended to assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and/or rehabilitation of owner-occupied, rental or transitional housing and housing for homeless individuals.
  • The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932.

Century Housing Launches Note Program To Fund Affordable Housing

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 1, 2021
Financial services in the United States, Century Housing Corporation, Community development financial institution, Economy, Affordable housing, Articles, Regional science, Housing in the United States

All net proceeds will be used to support the financing of affordable housing in underserved communities.

Key Points: 
  • All net proceeds will be used to support the financing of affordable housing in underserved communities.
  • Alan Hoffman, Senior Vice President and CFO of Century Housing, said, "The shortage of housing options for low-income households and the related chronic homelessness are being compounded by the COVID pandemic.
  • Century provides financing for all stages of the creation and preservation of affordable housing and specializes in early-stage financing, including acquisition and bridge loans.
  • Century Housing Corporation is a mission-driven CDFI that finances quality, affordable housing throughout California to provide dignified homes, healthy and hopeful futures, and economic independence to the people we serve.

Collections in Affordable Housing Rebound in December; Occupancy Tightens Across All Asset Classes

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Economy, Articles, Yoy, Affordable housing, Regional science, Leasehold estate

The December data also showed a continued tightening of occupancy across all asset classes, as move-ins outpaced move-outs for the sixth consecutive month.

Key Points: 
  • The December data also showed a continued tightening of occupancy across all asset classes, as move-ins outpaced move-outs for the sixth consecutive month.
  • Other highlights of the report, which includes both year-over-year (YOY) and month-over-month comparisons, include:
    December lease pricing decreased by 2% YOY in market-rate housing.
  • New applications increased significantly YOY in both public and affordable housing, by 56% and 14% respectively.
  • Therefore, tenants have actively changed their circumstances with some downsizing, some consolidating households and some looking to 'downshift' to affordable or public housing."

DCHFA Preserves Affordable Housing in Logan Circle

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Regional science, Affordable housing, Economic inequality, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Housing in the United States, Housing, Economy, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, Nyhomes

The developers have secured a long-term Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Key Points: 
  • The developers have secured a long-term Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
  • Through its Multifamily Lending and Neighborhood Investment and Capital Markets divisions, DCHFA issues tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds to lower the developers costs of acquiring, constructing and rehabilitating rental housing.
  • The Agency offers private for-profit and non-profit developers low cost predevelopment, construction and permanent financing that supports the new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing in the District.
  • The Agencys mission is to advance the District of Columbias housing priorities; the Agency invests in affordable housing and neighborhood development, which provides pathways for D.C. residents to transform their lives.

New Nonprofit The Golden Years Project vs. The Silver Tsunami

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Homelessness, Housing, Affordable housing, Regional science, Articles, Homelessness in the United States, Economy, Urban planning in the United States

DALLAS, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Today, The Golden Years Project (GYP), a faith-based Christian nonprofit organization, announces that it is ramping up to address the Silver Tsunami Crisis by providing senior citizens with financial aid for housing and develop affordable housing units across our nation.

Key Points: 
  • DALLAS, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Today, The Golden Years Project (GYP), a faith-based Christian nonprofit organization, announces that it is ramping up to address the Silver Tsunami Crisis by providing senior citizens with financial aid for housing and develop affordable housing units across our nation.
  • The Golden Years Project was founded with a mission to prevent homelessness among our older adults and acquire and develop safe, permanent, quality, affordable housing for people 62 years of age and over.
  • Choice Vouchers and entrance into Affordable Senior Housing Communities are 2- 5 years on average across the country.
  • To learn more about The Golden Years Project or donate, please visit The Golden Years Project at goldenyearsproject.org .

Habitat for Humanity Announces Participants in ShelterTech's Latest Affordable Housing Accelerators

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity, Sumter County, Georgia, Regional science, Articles, Economy

In the Philippines, Social Light develops affordable Wi-Fi monetization strategies, where plastic waste can be used as a digital currency for affordable internet packages.

Key Points: 
  • In the Philippines, Social Light develops affordable Wi-Fi monetization strategies, where plastic waste can be used as a digital currency for affordable internet packages.
  • ShelterTech is a global innovation platform advancing entrepreneurial housing solutions that radically improve the lives of low-income families.
  • In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home.
  • Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves.

EU-China: Council gives final green light to the agreement on geographical indications

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Appellations, Trademark law, Economic geography, Geographical indication, Intellectual property law, Articles, Academic disciplines, Regional science

The Council today adopted a decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the European Union and the government of the Peoples Republic of China on cooperation on and protection of geographical indications (GIs).

Key Points: 
  • The Council today adopted a decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the European Union and the government of the Peoples Republic of China on cooperation on and protection of geographical indications (GIs).
  • Next steps

    After the European Parliament consent on 11 November 2020 and the decision adopted today in the Council, the agreement could enter into force at the beginning of 2021.

  • Within four years, the scope of the agreement will expand to cover an additional 175 geographical indications from both sides.
  • Background

    The cooperation between the EU and China in the area of geographical indications started in 2006 and resulted in a first batch of 10 products protected on each sides six years later.