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.