AFFORDABLE HOUSING
EXPERIENCE

Regulatory Compliance
– Affordable Housing Program Experience: Ensure all team members thoroughly understand the details of the specific program(s) at the community. Careful analysis of the regulatory agreement is needed to ensure all requirements are met to qualify for subsidies or tax incentives.

Community Engagement
– Outreach Programs: Engage with local communities and organizations to identify and reach potential residents who may qualify for affordable housing.
– Education: Provide information about availability and eligibility criteria for affordable housing units to ensure those who qualify are aware of the opportunities.

Income Verification
– Documentation: Implement a thorough system for verifying the income levels of applicants. This often involves collecting documentation such as pay stubs, tax returns, or employer verification.

Tenant Selection Process
– Fair Housing Practices: Adhere to fair housing laws and practices to ensure the tenant selection process is unbiased and nondiscriminatory.
– Waiting Lists: Develop a fair and transparent process for managing wait lists when units cannot be immediately assigned at the time of application.

Partnerships
Government Agencies: Collaborate with local housing authorities and government agencies that administer affordable housing programs. This collaboration is critical for obtaining subsidies and complying with program requirements.
Nonprofit Organizations: Partner with nonprofit organizations that focus on affordable housing initiatives to provide resident support services and resources.

Resident Services
– Community Building: Offer coordinated support services that align with the specific needs of the resident demographic, such as financial counseling, educational programs, or social services that enhance the residents’ well-being.
– Lifestyle Programming: Host engaging events and activities that foster a sense of community and allow residents to become friends with their neighbors.

Maintenance and Quality Standards
– Property Maintenance: As with all properties under management, maintain the community to high standards to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of residents.
– Compliance Inspections: Prepare for and participate in regular inspections by regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.

Eviction Prevention
– Supportive Measures: Take appropriate steps to prevent evictions, such as financial assistance programs or partnerships with local organizations that provide rental assistance.

Gates Hudson has relationships with various rent restriction agency partners, including:

• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA)
• Community Development Administration (CDA), an Agency in the Division of Development Finance of the Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of Maryland Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development
• DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
• Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
• Prince William County Government, Office of Housing and Community
• Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
• West Virginia Housing Development Fund

Gates Hudson currently licenses and utilizes components of the Yardi Affordable Module to execute existing certification and compliance requirements. Features of their Rent Café Affordable Housing Site Manager include:

• Compliance Dashboard
• Household Review
• Audit Log
• Application Compliance
• Verification Process
• Complete signed application documents, verifications, certification, family income verifications, & signed lease housed in Yardi Voyager.

Additionally, Gates Hudson utilizes Edge2Learn training classes for each of our communities, which features 20+ detailed modules dedicated to various aspects of Tax Credit processes and protocols.