innovations in affordable housing chris thompson virginia department of housing and community...
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INNOVATIONS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSINGChris Thompson
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Three Topics• Combined resource effort – Vibrant Communities
• Housing and Supportive Services
• Affordable Housing Study
Vibrant Communities• Combine multiple funding sources to support local or
regional comprehensive community-based projects.
• Approximately $5 million in dedicated DHCD state and federal resources.
• Can supplement with other DHCD resources as appropriate.
• Partner with other agencies to increase resource pool.
Vibrant Communities• Overcome silo’ed funding.
• Streamline application, review, contract, compliance.
• Leverage resources.
• Encourage diversity of projects and more impactful projects.
Vibrant Communities• 2-3 projects initially.
• Up to $2.5 million per project.
• Applicant does not have to select funding source.
• Tiered evaluation. Pre-app and then invitation to apply to select groups.
• Include reps from Housing Finance Agency in review and share with other partners.
Vibrant Communities• Eligible activities:
• Emphasis on housing—rehab, new construction, infill.
• Infrastructure.
• Economic development-facades, site redevelopment, broadband, loan pool.
• Mixed-use, industrial site redevelopment.
Vibrant Communities• Challenges:
• Entitlement v. non-entitlement (especially for CDBG).
• Eligible applicant (again, CDBG).
• Selection of eligible activities.
• Capacity.
• Local collaboration.
Housing and Supportive Services• Settlement Agreement with
DOJ.
• Commitment to ensure the intent of the American with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead decision.
• Increase access and availability of integrated and independent housing options for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD).
Housing and Supportive Services• Service agencies and housing agencies not working very
collaboratively
• 100 Day Challenge• The Rapid Results Institute – works with communities and
organizations across the globe to bridge the gap between aspirations and impact related to critical social problems.
• Help solve the “last mile” problem in development work.
• Highly choreographed 100-day projects – Rapid Results Initiatives – into large-scale programs and projects.
• Create local ownership and accountability for results.
• Inspire innovation and collaboration among stakeholders at the local level.
Housing and Supportive Services• 100 Day Challenge
• Start quickly with 100-day projects that produce tangible results.
• “Act their way into a new way of thinking.”
• Lock into a “business model” that can be scaled and sustained.
• Train and develop local “Rapid Results coaches” that can provide on-going coaching and facilitation support for local leaders and for 100-day project teams.
• Four regional teams. Each team set own goals—organizational development and “housing” goals.
• Celebrate the end of the challenge – October 18.
Housing and Supportive Services• HAMPTON ROADS – SOUTHSIDE
• Chart the full process, from assessment to ongoing support, for the entire Southside region by July 15 and then share with all agencies.
• Within 100 days, educate 100 families and caregivers on how to make integrated housing a reality.
• Develop a regional Southside list of all individuals in the DOJ target population interested in living on their own with supportive services.
• Within 100 days, house 15 individuals within the DOJ target population and provide appropriate supportive services to them.
Housing and Supportive Services• NORTHERN VIRGINIA
• By September 30, 2015, identify 100 people in the target population who are ready to accept housing when it is offered.
• Get commitments from housing authorities for 100 permanent rent subsidies or housing opportunities that are affordable for people in the target population.
• Increase awareness of integrated, independent housing and supportive services for people with ID/DD among the various stakeholders in the community, including a minimum of 100 providers and 100 families, through social and traditional media.
• Establish a unified message and voice across advocacy organizations with legislators for funding for the needs of the target population for upcoming fiscal years. Get buy-in of at least 10 organizations within the 100 days.
Housing and Supportive Services• Post 100 Day Challenge
• New DBHDS Housing Specialists expertise to consult on regional planning and coordination activities.
• Capacity Building Grant. • Bolster the capacity of regional stakeholders.• Sustain efforts started during Challenge.• Expand team.
• Continue design and development of infrastructure.
• Continued support from state agencies.
Housing and Supportive Services• Actions
• Housing Finance Agency designated 97 vouchers.
• QAP for LIHTC, HOME, and state Housing Trust Fund reflects priority for projects serving I/DD population.
• Training / Education for Redevelopment and Housing Authorities.• Twelve applied for and received admission preference.• Set-aside additional 70 vouchers.
• Enhanced outreach campaign.
• Waiver reform.
• Rent subsidy.
Affordable Housing Study• Affordable housing a priority for Administration.
• Executive Order – Advancing Virginia’s Housing Policy.
• Workgroup comprised of state agencies, advocates, practitioners.
• Research consortium: Virginia Tech, George Mason, Virginia Commonwealth, William & Mary
Affordable Housing Study• Component 1: Describe the importance of housing-related
industries in the Virginia economy and how increased jobs, spending, and earnings in these industries have impacted growth in all other sectors.
• Housing is part of the economic infrastructure of local communities and it is intertwined with other key economic components of this infrastructure.• Construction• Renovation • Finance• Property management• Legal services• Professional services, to name some.
Affordable Housing Study• Component 2: Deep dive, addressing specific areas in which
housing impacts our economic infrastructure.
• Focus on policy concerns such:• Production of sufficient housing to meet growing workforce needs.• Revitalization needs of older housing / neighborhoods to ensure
economic vitality/competitiveness.• Role of housing as a catalyst for increased economic activity. • Different challenges / opportunities, for example, rural v. urban.
• In-depth description of housing and economic development linkages:• Education• Economic development• Health• Transportation
Supply & Demand
Community Vitality
Unpacking Housing and Affordability:Housing is a key part of the economic infrastructure.It is intertwined with other key economic components!Household
Well-being
Economic
Investment
Affordable Housing Study
Affordable Housing Study• Demonstrate importance of affordable housing.
• Show how availability of affordable housing is stimulates economic development / lack of is an impediment.