The deadline is approaching for site and maintenance staff of pre-1978 housing to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices. After April 22, 2010, sites that conduct repair work that disturbs paint in housing built before 1978 must ensure that the work is performed by certified...
Chipping and peeling paint on a building's exterior. Loose wood siding. Exposed wiring. Rusted steps and railings. These were just some of the problems uncovered during the Real Estate Assessment Center's (REAC) inspection of a 77-unit Section 8 project. And after receiving low scores on...
Most well-managed tax credit sites have one thing in common: the ability of management and maintenance to work in a cohesive and productive manner. Working as a team requires both parties to understand the site's objectives and how each area's specific functions contribute to its overall...
The revised 8823 Guide, released by the IRS on Sept. 25, 2009, addresses issues brought about by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), amendments to the HUD Handbook 4350.3, and the revised utility allowance regulation. Last month, we looked at significant changes related to...
If you're planning a building project at your site, whether it involves new construction, rehabilitation, or just light repair work, you may be apprehensive about working with a new contractor. But investing some time up front to find the right candidate and define the terms of the job may...
On Sept. 25, 2009, the IRS released its revised 8823 Guide, which includes changes brought about by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), amendments to the HUD Handbook 4350.3, updated interpretations and guidance, and in-depth information on utility allowance procedures.
If you're fortunate, your site may never be damaged by a flood, tornado, or other natural disaster. But the odds are, at some point, you'll find yourself dealing with property loss caused by an everyday hazard, such as fire, burst pipes, wind, hail, or sprinkler leakage.
It is any site manager's worst nightmare—that moment when the phone rings to notify you that your world has been turned upside-down. The potential threats caused by natural hazards, such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, winter storms, landslides, or earthquakes, happen more often than...
If you're having problems with groups loitering in your parking lot, common areas, or elsewhere on your property, you're not alone. Nonresident loiterers have been a long-time complaint for tax credit site managers. Loitering has the potential to incite vandalism, burglary, muggings,...
If you manage a tax credit site that has funds through the HOME Investments Partnership (HOME) Program, then you know that you must meet the compliance requirements for both programs. But what happens when the two programs' requirements differ? How do you know which rules to apply?
The tough economy has many low-income housing tax credit sites operating with minimal staffing and restricted budgets. Some find that carefully managing operating costs can help to offset the lack of rent growth caused by declining median incomes in the past few years.
Tax credit sites have been hit hard by the financial crisis. In the past few years, rents in many areas have been held down to levels that have made it difficult for owners and managers to adequately operate their sites, much less generate additional revenue.
