Partnership with DHHS helps N.C. Housing Finance Agency win national
“Program Excellence” award for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Program
On Sept. 19, the N.C. Housing Finance Agency (N.C. HFA) received
a Program Excellence Award from the National Council of State Housing
Agencies. The annual award “honors state Housing Finance Agencies
for their outstanding public purpose programs, projects, and practices.”
Receiving the award in the “Special Needs” category, N.C. HFA was
recognized for its unique use of the Low-Income Tax Credit program
(LIHTC) to provide high-quality affordable and accessible housing
for extremely low-income persons with disabilities and for homeless
populations.
Julia Bick, DHHS Housing Coordinator, joined N.C. HFA staff at the
presentation of the award. “We are very pleased that the Finance
Agency has been recognized by their peers for their outstanding work,”
Bick said. “Partnership and outcome-driven collaboration at the state
level created the program, with the Housing Finance Agency and within
the Department, through the collective effort of DHHS service divisions
represented in the DHHS Housing Work Group. Partnership and outcome-driven
collaboration at the local level is making it successful.
“On the occasion of this award, it is important to recognize the
critical contribution being made by our local agencies and partners,
those who have come together in communities across the state, making
time in their already busy schedules to connect and support real
people in these new housing opportunities.“ Bick said.
Since 2002, N.C. HFA has partnered with the N.C. Department of
Health and Human Services to help ensure that these households
are included within LIHTC properties. All LIHTC properties funded
in North Carolina since 2004 must develop a Targeting Plan that
makes 10 percent of the units available to extremely low-income
people with disabilities, including those who are homeless. Targeting
Plans demonstrate a partnership between the property owner/management
and a local lead agency that represents the local human service
system—acting as a provider, coordinator or referral agent for
the range of community services available to persons with disabilities
in their community. To date, 947 units of quality, affordable rental
housing have been funded.
The Key Program, a demonstration rental assistance program funded
by N.C. HFA and DHHS, is also available to LIHTC properties funded
since 2004 to ensure Targeted units are affordable to people with
incomes as low as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) . In addition,
since 2006 all LIHTC properties have 5 percent of their units meeting
a higher than legally mandated level of accessibility, including
curbless showers and full-turnaround bathrooms.
Staff, supported by the Real Choice Systems Change Grant: Integrating
Long Term Supports with Affordable Housing in N.C., are currently
working with DHHS local agencies, service providers, and property
managers to implement the program at the local level. For more information
about the LIHTC partnership in your area contact:
Central Region:
Tara Peele at (919) 733-4534 or Tara.Peele@ncmail.net
Eastern Region: Walter Vincent at (910) 620-0467 or Walter.Vincent@ncmail.net
Western Region: Kay Johnson at (704) 619-6716 or Kay.R.Johnson@ncmail.net
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