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[Low Income Housing Credit] [4]
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54979551
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[Low Income Housing Credit] [4]
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Records of the National Economic Council (Clinton Administration)
Gene Sperling's Subject Files
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FOIA Number: 2014-0224-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
National Economic Council
Series/Staff Member:
Gene Sperling
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
10089
FolderID:
Folder Title:
[Low Income Housing Credit] [4]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
17
4
6
3
iSC
LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION
1825 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 1100, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
TEL: (202) 785-2908
FAX: (202) 835-8931
November 15, 1995
Mr. Gene Sperling
Deputy Assistant to the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
2nd Floor, West Wing
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Sperling:
Attached is a letter to President Clinton requesting his support of the Low Income
Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). As you know, despite widespread support, the Conference
Committee has called for a December 1997 sunset of the Housing Credit. The sunset would
disable the program in the coming two years, and ultimately result in repeal, because the
Congress will be hard pressed to find funds to continue the program in 1997.
As you will see from the attached letter, the Housing Credit is an immensely important
tool for the production of low-income housing and it embodies the effective public/private
partnerships which the Administration so enthusiastically promotes. The resounding support
which the Housing Credit has generated is a testament to its success across party lines, among
investors, the media and local development organizations.
We continue to do all that we can to avoid the sunset. I urge you to do everything
possible to keep this tremendously successful program on the President's short list of priorities in
the upcoming negotiations on the budget package. I hope and trust that we can continue to count
on your leadership.
Sincerely,
65- Hope ave
Cater Patricia A. Foley
well- - Memeed
Senior Vice President, External Affairs this one:
your bodyys upon
ISC
LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION
733 THIRD AVENUE, 8TH FL., NEW YORK, NY 10017
TEL: (212) 455-9822
FAX: (212) 682-5199
PAUL S. GROGAN, PRESIDENT
November 15, 1995
The Honorable William Clinton
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing you with a sense of urgency to ask your assistance in preserving the Low
Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), the nation's primary means of attracting capital to
affordable housing development.
As a result of your strong leadership efforts in 1993, the LIHTC was made a permanent
part of the tax system. Since that time, the program has matured into a tremendously successful
means of providing housing to lower income families and revitalizing urban neighborhoods.
Now, however, the Housing Credit is under serious threat; the budget bill making its way
through Congress would terminate this highly successful program at the end of 1997. On behalf
of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the millions of Americans in need of quality,
affordable housing, I ask that you make preservation of a permanent LIHTC one of your top
priorities as you negotiate a budget package with Congress after your veto.
The Housing Credit helps finance virtually every new apartment built for low-income
renters in the United States, and is responsible for the construction of about a quarter of all multi-
family construction nationwide. Since its creation in 1987, it has produced 750,000 units of
housing and 114,000 units last year alone. In addition, it anchors economic growth in depressed
communities, generating 90,000 jobs, $2.8 billion in wages and salaries and $1.3 billion in tax
revenues each year. At LISC alone, in the last two years we have raised over $600 million for
low-income housing through the credit, which exceeds the amount we raised in the previous five
years before permanency. An outstanding advantage of the program is that it directs private
sector capital to economically depressed areas; funding that would be impossible without the
encouragement of the federal government.
I am enclosing materials that highlight the widespread support for the program -- support
of federal, state and local government officials from all parts of the political spectrum, the news
media, community based organizations and investors. The speed and facility with which we
have been able to mobilize forces on behalf of the credit during the recent debate in Congress is
testament to the program's success. The enclosures include letters of support from members of
Congress (including three-quarters of all Senators), the National Governors Association, the
Republican Governors Association (which accompanied letters from 26 governors opposing the
sunset), a sampling of media support, and a copy of a letter of support signed last week by over
1300 non-profit and for-profit organizations nationwide.
Because of the tremendous success of the Housing Credit, we have been able to generate
very strong support for this program across the nation and in Congress. For that reason, we
cannot understand why Congress would take this action to terminate the program. As you sit
down with Congressional leaders in the weeks ahead to negotiate a budget agreement, we ask
that you maintain your long-standing commitment to affordable housing and work hard to
preserve the Housing Credit.
Sincerely,
Dane
Paul S. Grogan
JACK METCALF
COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES
2D DISTRICT, WASHINGTON
SUBCOMMITTEES
FISHERIES, WILDLIFE AND OCEANS
COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND
NATIVE AMERICAN AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
FINANCIAL SERVICES
SUBCOMMITTEES
Congress of the United States
COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND
house of Representatives
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TAX AND FINANCE
CONSUMER CREDIT
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
MONETARY POLICY
Washington, DC 20515-4702
October 30, 1995
The Honorable Newt Gingrich
Speaker of the House
H232 Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Gingrich:
We are writing to express our concerns regarding the elimination of the permanent status of the Low-
Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in the Reconciliation bill and the possibility of sunsetting this
program at the end of 1997.
Since its inception in 1986, the LIHTC has been successful at attracting private investment for
affordable rental housing. Both nonprofit and for-profit developers compete for these credits to
construct or renovate affordable housing for low income individuals. According to the National
Association of Home Builders, this program creates approximately 90,000 jobs a year, resulting in
$2.8 billion in wages and $1.3 billion in tax revenue.
The LIHTC is a decentralized program administered by states according to their specific housing
needs. The LIHTC is successful because it is a market driven program, free of interference from
Washington. Investors exercise strict business discipline over the operation and development of this
housing. As you know, building housing requires a great amount of time. A developer or builder
needs adequate time to obtain the appropriate forms and meet building codes before constructing or
renovating a unit. Ending LIHTC permanent status would make it difficult for state and local
governments, investors and developers to make appropriate long-term planning decisions.
Consequently, this would hinder the effectiveness of this program and reduce the number of
participants willing to invest in, and build affordable housing.
We would like an opportunity to review all tax credits next year. However, we see no reason why
we can't achieve this task while maintaining the permanent status of LIHTC. Once the GAO reports
its recommendations, we can make administrative changes to safeguard this program.
We are asking you to please restore the permanent status of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
This credit is a form of a tax block grant which provides state and local governments with the
resources to meet housing needs. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is a valuable program and
critical in providing affordable housing for our citizens.
Sincerely,
CC:
Reconciliation Conferees
Jack Metcalf
WASHINGTON OFFICE
EVERETT OFFICE
BELLINGHAM OFFICE
507 CANNON BUILDING
2930 WE TMORE AVENUE, #901
322 No. COMMERCIAL #203
WASHINGTON DC 20515
EVERETT. WA 98201
BELLINGHAM. WA 98225
(202) 225-2605
(206) 252-3188
(360) 733-4500
(800) 562-1385
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Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Members signing Mr. Mecalf's letter to Speaker Gingrich
Member
Member
Republicans
1.
Mr. Lazio
40.
Mr. Longley (ME)
2.
Mr. Young (AK)
41.
Mr. Bilbray
3.
Ms. Johnson (CT)
42.
Mr. Tate
4.
Mr. McCrery
43.
Ms. Morella
5.
Mr. Nethercutt
44.
Mr. Cunningham
6.
Mr. English
45.
Mr. Gilman
7.
Mr. Camp
46.
Mr. Forbes
8.
Mr. Chrysler
47.
Mr. Bartlett (MD)
9.
Mr. Baker (LA)
48.
Mr. Heineman (NC)
10.
Mr. Fox
49.
Ms. Seastrand
11.
Mr. LoBiondo
50.
Mr. Shays
12.
Mr. Smith (NJ)
51.
Mr. Upton
13.
Mr. Bereuter
52.
Mr. Rogers
14.
Mr. Calvert
53.
Mr. Boehlert
15.
Ms. Roukema
54.
Mr. Bachus
16.
Ms. Chenoweth
55.
Mr. Quinn
17.
Mr. Ney
56.
Mr. Funderburk
18.
Mr. Hayworth
57.
Mr. Flanagan
19.
Mr. Klug
58.
Mr. Colbe
20.
Mr. Torkildsen
59.
Mr. Lewis (KY)
21.
Ms. Kelly
60.
Mr. Moorhead
22.
Mr. Blute
61.
Mr. Doolittle
23.
Mr. Hoke
62.
Mr. Hobson
24.
Mr. Whitfield
63.
Mr. Bryant
25.
Mr. Foley
64.
Mr. Diaz-Balart
26.
Mr. Bunn
65.
Mr. Dickey
27.
Mr. Walsh
66.
Mr. Ehlers
28.
Mr. Barrett (NE)
67.
Mr. Canady
29.
Mr. Salmon
68.
Mr. Bonilla
30.
Mr. Taylor (NC)
69.
Mr. White
31.
Mr. Castle
70.
Mr. Crapo
32.
Mr. Bono
33.
Mr. King
34.
Mr. Jones (NC)
35.
Mr. Horn
36.
Mr. Weller
37.
Mr. Bateman
38.
Mr. Davis
39.
Mr. Knollenberg
Member
Member
Democrats
1.
Mr. Matsui
43.
Mr. Deutsch
2.
Ms. Kennelly
44.
Mr. Gutierrez
3.
Mr. Barrett (WI)
45.
Mr. Torricelli
4.
Mr. Luther
46.
Mr. Conyers
5.
Mr. Holden
6.
Mr. Pomeroy
7.
Mr. Baldacci
8.
Mr. Berman
9.
Mr. Rush
10.
Ms. Lofgren
11.
Mr. Fattah
12.
Ms. Meek (FL)
13.
Mr. DeFazio
14.
Mr. Oberstar
15.
Mr. Evans
16.
Mr. Johnson (SD)
17.
Mr. Dicks
18.
Mr. Costello
19.
Mr. Williams
20.
Mr. Bentsen
21.
Mr. Barcia
22.
Mr. Vento
23.
Mr. Minge
24.
Ms. DeLauro
25.
Mr. Lantos
26.
Mr. Frank (MA)
27.
Mr. Wyden
28.
Mr. Menedez (NJ)
29.
Mr. Stupak
30.
Mr. Frost
31.
Mr. Meehan
32.
Mr. Clay (MO)
33.
Mr. Markey
34.
Mr. Lewis (GA)
35.
Mr. Reed
36.
Mr. L.F. Payne
37.
Mr. Farr
38.
Mr. Mascara
39.
Mr. Browder
40.
Mr. Mfume
41.
Mr. Abercrombie
42.
Mr. Hilliard
7.0.8
BOB GRAHAM
FLORIDA
United States Senate
WASHINGTON. DC 20510-0903
October 5, 1995
The Honorable William V. Roth, Jr.
Chairman
Senate Committee On Finance
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Roth:
We are writing to express cur opposition to the decision by the
House Ways and Means Committee to sunset the Low Income Housing Tax
Credit (LIHTC) program at the end of 1997.
The LIHTC has been extremely successful since its enactment as part
of the Tax Reform Act of 1966. Today, the LIHTC is one of the
primary government tools for attracting private investment in
affordable rental housing. Nearly one in four apartments
constructed use the LIHTC as part of its financing package. The
National Association of Home Builders estimates that the
construction activity associated with the program creates about
90,000 jobs each year, paying $2.8 billion in wages and generating
$1.3 billion in tax revenues.
The LIHTC works well because it supports a public-private
partnership approach to affordable housing production. The states
administer the program according to their housing needs and their
partners bring investments, management discipline, and development
expertise. For many nonprofit housing developers, the tax credit
provides critical access to much-needed equity. Since the program
began, the LIHTC program has mobilized more than $12 billion in
private investment in affordable housing.
As the Senate Finance Committee proceeds to work on tax legislation
this month, we urge you to do everything you can to ensure that the
legislation does not include any provisions that would and the Low
Income Housing Tax Credit.
Sincerely,
PaulSaclann
40.29 5.170
October 5, 1995 5
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REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
Vow AMERICA'S,CHAJORITY
September 27, 1995
The Honorable William V. Roth. Jr.
Chairman
Finance Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Bill:
You know how much we share the balanced budget goal. However, we strongly
urge you not to sacrifice the Low Income Housing Tax Credit - our states' most effective
tool for providing affordable housing to our low income families.
We urge you to sustain the Tax Credit's permanence in the Senate Finance
Committee's budget Reconciliation Bill, and to insist on its inclusion in the conference
with the House. To accept the House Ways and Means Committee's Tax Credit sunset is
to accept the Tax Credit's repeal.
Since Congress created it in 1986, the Tax Credit has generated more than
730,000 new apartments nationwide, more than 110,000 each year at current rates. The
Tax Credit currently accounts for one out of every four new apartments constructed
nationwide and virtually every one of the new apartments built for low income renters. It
is a key element in the recovering real estate industry.
Sunsetting the Tax Credit will profoundly disrupt an industry that has just come
into maturity as a result of the credit's permanency. Permanence for the Tax Credit has
attracted high quality developers into low income apartment construction and has
increased the amount of equity generated by each Tax Credit dollar invested in such
apartments.
Sunset sends the message to investors that Congress has given up on the
program - despite its overwhehning success. The very threat of sunset may have already
begun to undermine investor confidence that the Tax Credit will continue to be a reliable
way to earn a fair return and help families in need.
310 FIRST STREET. SOUTHEAST
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20003
(202)863-8587
FAX (202)863-8659
Paid for by the Republican Governors Association
The Tax Credit is by no means "corporate welfare" and was not particularly
designed for corporate investors at all. Corporations had not been major low income
housing investors and accounted for only about 20 percent of Tax Credit use until recent
years. Individuals' investments accounted for about 80 to 100 percent of the Tax Credit
until then.
Corporate Tax Credit investment has increased because the passive loss
limitations in the 1986 Tax Reform Act strictly limit individual taxpayer Tax Credit
investments. Nonprofit syndicators, such as The Enterprise Foundation and Local
Initiatives Support Corporation, originally pioneered increased corporate investment in
nonprofit projects, as individual investment dried up.
We urge you on behalf of our nation's lower income families to preserve the
permanent status of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Sincerely,
MichaelD. hearth
Jola Engler
Engl
Michael O. Leavitt
Governor of Utah
Governor of Michigan
Chairman
Vice Chairman
NATIONAL
Tommy is Thompson
Ravmond Scheppach"
Governor e: Wisconsin
Executive
GOVERNORS
Chairman
ASSOCIATION
Hairet Mates
Bon Milier
North Capitol Street
Governor of Nevada
Washington. DC 20001-1512
Vice Chairman
Telephone 202 024-5300
September 27, 1995
Honorable William V. Roth Jr.
Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Chairman
Ranking Member
Committee on Finance
Committee on Finance
United States Senate
United States Senate
SD-219 Dirksen Senate Office Building
SD-203 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Washington. D.C. 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman and Senator Moynihan:
We are writing to seek your support for maintaining the permanent Low Income Housing Tax
Credit (LIHTC). As you develop the Senate Finance Committee's reconciliation legislation,
we urge you not to change this valuable program which has assisted states in financing the
construction of 800.000 decent, affordable apartments for Americans whose family incomes
are lower than 60 percent of the area median. The LIHTC reduces the taxes of any corporation
which invests in affordable housing that otherwise would not be built. It is a good example of
leveraging limited public resources with private money for an important public good.
As the attached policy statement of the National Governors' Association points out. Governors
expressly support the tax credit and have asked the federal government to promote public-
private partnerships to increase the construction of affordable housing. The permanent LIHTC
is one of the best examples of a public-private partnership and a federal-state partnership. This
tax credit is the only incentive the federal government makes available to invest in affordable
apartment construction and rehabilitation. The loss of permanency in the program will
significantly weaken the effectiveness of the tax credit as corporations will be unable to plan
future investments, leaving states with fewer options for developing financing packages for
affordable housing projects.
We urge you both in the Senate Finance Committee and in Conference Committee to insist that
this year's Reconciliation process not interrupt this successful and efficient affordable housing
program.
Sincerely,
Bot Millia
Governor ommy Thompson
Governor Bob Miller
Chairman
Vice Chairman
National Governors' Association
National Governors' Association
July M Miller ller
Committee on Economic Development
and Commerce
October 31, 1995
The Honorable Bill Archer
Chairman, Ways and Means Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We are representatives of 1,300 nonprofit and for-profit housing and community development
organizations, state and local governments, lenders, low income tenants, disability
organizations, planning organizations, and real estate trade organizations writing to urge you to
oppose any attempt to weaken or eliminate the Low Income Housing Tax Credit.
The Housing Credit, enacted in 1986, has been tremendously successful across the nation
providing affordable housing and revitalizing urban neighborhoods and rural communities
where it is most needed. The Housing Credit currently accounts for about 25 per cent of all
multifamily housing constructed in the U.S. and virtually all of the affordable rental housing.
From 1987 - 1994, the Housing Credit produced 750,000 housing units nationwide and
currently produces over 100,000 per year.
The program is widely celebrated as a model federal program free of bureaucratic control and
has enjoyed broad bipartisan support. Legislation to make the Housing Credit permanent --
which Congress finally enacted in 1993- was co-sponsored by 86 Senators and 332
Representatives. They supported the program because it is decentralized and is administered
by state and certain local housing finance agencies and unfettered by the kind of federal
interference that has so burdened other programs. It is also market oriented, depending on
private investor capital rather than direct government subsidies. As a result, it has imposed
extremely beneficial market discipline that makes the housing fundamentally sound for the long
term.
The Housing Credit encourages partnerships between corporations, state and local governments
and affordable housing providers which have successfully transformed a number of declining
neighborhoods and rural communities across the country. The Housing Credit has been used
to finance housing that brings stability to the lives of community residents and has provided an
anchor for further economic growth, private investment and jobs. Each year the Credit
generates 90,000 jobs, $2.8 billion in wages and salaries and $1.3 billion in tax revenues.
We urge you to ensure that the Housing Credit remains a permanent part of the tax code. A
sunset would surely sign the death warrant for the program and devastate efforts to meet the
housing needs of America's low-income families.
Thank you for your help with this issue.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 2
Alabama
Alabama Council of Rural and Affordable Housing, Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama Council on Human Relations, Inc., AL
City of Bessemer AL, Quitman Mitchell, Mayor
City of Birmingham, AL, Richard Arrington, Jr., Mayor
City of Huntsville, AL, Steve Hettinger Mayor
City of Tuscaloosa, AL, Alvin P. Dupont, Mayor
Sisters of St. Joseph of Pineapple Alabama, Pineapple, AL
Alaska
Asa carsarmint Tribal Council, Mt. Village, AK
City of Juneau, AK, Dennis Egan, Mayor
Kuigpagmiut, Inc./Kuigpagmiut CDC, Mt. Village, AK
Marshall Traditional Council, AK
University of Alaska Southeast, Ketchikan Campus, Ketchikan, AK
Yupiit of Andreafski, AK
Arizona
Arizona Planning Association, Phoenix, AZ
Chicanos Por La Causa Self-Help, Nogales, AZ
City of Peoria, AZ, Ken C. Forgia, Mayor
Comite De Bienestar, Inc., San Luis, AZ
Mercy Housing Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Primavera Foundation, Inc., Tucson, AZ
Arkansas
Arkansas Association of Community Development Corporation, Inc., AR
City of North Little Rock, AR Patrick H. Hays, Mayor
Delta CDC, AR
Delta Research Education & Development Fund, AR
Pulaski County Community Services, AR
Sandflat-Glendale Neighborhood Development Corporation, Texarkana, AR
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR
California
1010 Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
A Community of Friends, Los Angeles, CA
Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency, Jackson, CA
Arter & Hadden, Los Angeles, CA
Asian American Drug Abuse Program, CA
Asian Neighborhood Design, San Francisco, CA
Assisted Housing Management Association Pacific Southwest, Costa Mesa, CA
Atlantic Community Economic Development Corp., Long Beach, CA
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 3
Bank of America, Walnut Creek, CA
Bayview CDC, San Diego, CA
Berkeley Oakland Support Services, Berkeley, CA
Bridge Housing Corporation, San Francisco, CA
Burbank Housing Development Corporation, CA
Burbank Housing Development Corporation, Santa Rosa, CA
Calexico Community Action Council, Calexico, CA
California Affordable Housing Advocates, CA
California Center For Housing Priorities, CA
California Coalition For Rural Housing, CA
California Coalition For Special Needs Housing, CA
California Community Reinvestment Corporation, Pasadena, CA
California Housing Partnership Corporation, CA
California Mutual Housing Association, CA
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, CA
California-Nevada Community Action Association, CA
Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation, Oakland, CA
Charo Community Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Christian Church Homes of Northern California, CA
City and County of San Francisco, CA,
City of Alhambra, CA, Mark R. Paulson, Mayor
City of Anaheim, CA, Tom Daly, Mayor
City of Baldwin Park, CA, Fidel Vargas, Mayor
City of Bell Gardens, CA, Maria Chacon, Mayor
City of Berkeley, CA, Shirley Dean, Mayor
City of Brea, CA, Bev Perry, Mayor
City of Campbell, CA, Donald R. Burr Mayor
City of Carlsbad, CA
City of Cathedral City, CA, David W. Berry, Mayor
City of Culver City, CA, Steven Gourley, Mayor
City of El Centro, CA, Gene P. Brister Mayor
City of El Monte, CA, Patricia A. Wallach, Mayor
City of Escondido, CA, Sid Hollins, Mayor
City of Fontana, CA, David R. Eshleman, Mayor
City of Fremont, CA, Gus Morrison, Mayor
City of Gardena, CA, Donald Dear Mayor
City of Glendale, CA, Richard M. Reyes, Mayor
City of Hayward, CA, Roberta Cooper Mayor
City of Lakewood, CA, Wayne E. Poercy, Mayor
City of Lipland, CA, Robert R. Nolan, Mayor
City of Modesto, CA, Richard A. Lang, Mayor
City of Monteray Park, CA, Rita Valenzuela, Mayor
City of Napa, CA, Ed Solomon, Mayor
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 4
City of Newark, CA, David W. Smith, Mayor
City of Oakland, CA
City of Oakland Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development, Oakland, CA
City of Oceanside, CA, Dick Lyon, Mayor
City of Palmdale CA, James C. Ledford, Jr., Mayor
City of Palo Alto, CA, Joe Simitian, Mayor
City of Redding, CA, David Kehoe, Mayor
City of Redding Housing, Redding, CA
City of Richmond, CA, Rosemary M. Corbin, Mayor
City of San Buenaventura, CA, Tom Buford, Mayor
City of San Francisco, CA, Frank M. Jordan, Mayor
City of San Jose, CA, Susan Hammer Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo, CA, Allen K. Settle, Mayor
City of Santa Ana, CA, Miguel Pulido, Mayor
City of Santa Barbara, CA, Harriet Miller Mayor
City of Santa Cruz, CA, Katherine Beiers, Mayor
City of Santa Monica, CA, Paul Rosenstei, Mayor
City of South Gate, CA, Albert Robles, Mayor
City of Stanton, CA, Harry M. Dotson, Mayor
City of Stockton, CA, Joan Darrah, Mayor
City of West Covina, CA, Steve Herfert, Mayor
City of West Hollywood, CA, John Heilman, Mayor
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, Indio, CA
Community Asset Builders, San Francisco, CA
Community Economics, Inc., Oakland, CA
Community Housing Assistance Program, Inc., Orange, CA
Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, Davis, CA
Concerned Citizens of South Central, Los Angeles, CA
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Inland Empire, Riverside, CA
Contra Costa County Community Services Department, CA
Contra Costa County Office of Education, Richmond, CA
Corridor Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Curry Temple Community Development, Compton, CA
Devine and Geng, Inc., San Francisco, CA
Dignity Housing West, Inc., Oakland, CA
Dunbar Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, Oakland, CA
East Bay Habitat for Humanity, Oakland, CA
East Bay Housing Organizations, Oakland, CA
Ecumenical Association for Housing, San Rafael, CA
Eden Housing, Inc., Hayward, CA
El Pueblo Community Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Emergency Services Network, Oakland, CA
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 5
Esperanza Community Housing Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Esperanza Housing & Community Development Corporation, Solana Beach, CA
Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc., CA
Fair Housing Council of San Bernadino County, Inc., San Bernadino, CA
First Interstate Bank of California
First San Jose Housing, CA
Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, Fresno, CA
Greater Bethany Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Greater Richmond CDC, Richmond, CA
H. O. P. E. America, Pacoima, CA
HAND, Napa, CA
Hillview Mental Health Center, Lake View, California,
Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, Hollywood, CA
Housing & Development Consultants, Inc., Bakersfield, CA
Housing California, CA
Housing Conservation & Development Corporation, San Francisco, CA
Human Options, Inc., South Laguna, CA
Innovative Housing, Inc., San Rafael, CA
Kaufman and Broad Multi-Housing Group Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Korean Youth & Community Center, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Lake County Community Development Department, Lakeport, CA
Latin American Civic Association, San Fernando, CA
Laurin Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
Los Angeles Coalition to End Homelessness, CA
Los Angeles Community Design Center, Los Angeles, CA
Many Mansions, Thousands Oaks, CA
Marin Housing Council, San Rafael, CA
Mercy Charities Housing California, San Francisco, CA
Mid-Penisula Housing Coalition, Redwood City, CA
Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition, San Francisco, CA
Mission Housing Development Corporation, San Francisco, CA
Napa Valley Family Homes, Napa, CA
National Partnership Investments Corporation, Beverly Hills, CA
Neighborhood Empowerment & Economic Development, Inc., North Hills, CA
Neighborhood House Association, San Diego, CA
NHP, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, CA
North County Housing Foundation, Escondido, CA
Northern California Land Trust, CA
Oakland Community Housing, Inc., Oakland, CA
OCCUR, Berkeley, CA
Oldtimers Foundation, Fontana, CA
Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, CA
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 6
Palo Alto Housing Corporation, Palo, Alto, CA
People's Self-Help Housing Corporation, San Luis Obispo, CA
Project New Hope, Los Angeles, CA
Providence House, Oakland, CA
Public Law Center, Santa Ana, CA
Pyatok Associates, Oakland, CA
Related Equity Corporation, Irvine, CA
Resources for Community Development, Berkeley, CA
Rubicon Programs, Inc., Richmond, CA
Rural Area Non-Profit Community Housing Organization, Del Mar, CA
Rural California Housing Corporation, CA
Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Sacramento, CA
San Diego Community Housing Development Corporation, San Diego, CA
Santa Cruz Community Housing Corporation, Santa Cruz, CA
Self-Help Enterprises, Visalia, CA
Shelter, Inc. of Contra Costa, Concord, CA
Sister of the Holy Name CA Province Justice and Peace Committee, San Francisco, CA
SK Management Company, Los Angeles, CA
Skid Row Housing Trust, Los Angeles, CA
Soledad Local Development Corporation, Soledad, CA
South County Housing, Gilroy, CA
Southern California Association for Non-Profit Housing, Los Angeles, CA
Sun America, Inc., CA
Sutro & Company, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
The City of Stockton, CA
The Related Companies of CA, Irvine, CA
Ujamaa Res. Corporation, San Francisco, CA
Venice Community Housing Corporation, Venice, CA
Vermont Clauson Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Ward Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Colorado
Allied Housing, Inc., CO
Archdiocesan Housing Commission, Denver, CO
Assisted Housing Management Association, Parker, CO
Board of Otero County, CO
City of Arvada, Arvada, CO
City of Fort Collins, CO, Ann Azari, Mayor
City of Loveland, CO, Ray Emerson, Mayor
Denver Office of Planning and Community Development, Denver, CO
Fort Collins Development Corporation, Fort Collins, CO
Hadley Mendel Management Company, Denver, CO
Hope Communities Inc., Denver, Colorado
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 7
Hudson Real Estate, Denver, CO
Larimer County Community Land Consortium, CO
Mendel Allison Construction Company, Denver, CO
Mercy Housing Inc., Denver, CO
MJT Properties, Denver, CO
TRAC-The Resource Assistance Center, Fort Collins, CO
Connecticut
ACF, Inc., Hamden, CT
Action Housing, Inc., Norwalk, CT
Becker and Becker Associates, Inc., New Canaan, CT
Bridgeport Neighborhood Fund, Bridgeport, CT
Bristol Community Organization, Inc., Bristol, CT
Broad Park Development Corporation, Hartford, CT
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, Bridgeport, CT
City of Danbury, CT, Gene F. Eriquez, Mayor
City of Fairfield, CT, Paul Audley, Mayor
City of Hartford, CT, Michael P. Peters, Mayor
City of Naugatuck, CT, William C. Rado, Sr., Mayor
City of New Britain, CT, Linda A. Blogoslawski, Mayor
City of New Haven, CT, John DeStefano, Jr., Mayor
City of West Haven, CT, H. Richard Borer Jr., Mayor
Co-op Initiatives, Inc., Hartford, CT
Co-Opportunity, Hartford, CT
Co-op Initiatives, Hartford, CT
Community Economic Development Fund, Bridgeport, CT
Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc., Bristol, CT
Connecticut AIDS Residence Coalition, CT
Connecticut Housing Coalition, CT
Connecticut Housing Investment Fund, Hartford, CT
Department of Economic and Community Development, Hartford, CT
El Hogar Del Futuro, Inc., Hartford, CT
Family Services Woodfield, Bridgeport, CT
Farmington Affordable Housing Committee, Farmington, CT
Housing Development Fund of Lower Fairfield County, Stamford, CT
Human Services Council of Mid-Fairfield, Norwalk, CT
McDillon Holdings, Inc., Bridgeport, CT
Metro Realty Advisors, Farmington, CT
My Sisters' Place, Hartford, CT
Northeastern Connecticut CDC & Rural Homes, Ltd., Danielson, CT
Nuestra Casa Del Pueblo, Bridgeport, CT
Real Estate Solutions, Hartford, CT
Ruth G. Price & Associates, Fairfield, CT
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 8
St. Luke's Community Services, Stamford, CT
Stamford Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Stamford, CT
The Community Builders, Inc., New Haven, CT
The Connection Fund, Inc., Middletown, CT
United Services, Inc., Danville, CT
Urban Initiatives, Stamford, CT
Vision Housing, Inc., Hebron, CT
Wentworth Properties, Inc., Darien, CT
Delaware
City of Wilmington, DE, James Sills, Jr., Mayor
Interfaith Housing Delaware Inc., Wilmington, DE
Ministry of Caring Job Placement Center, Wilmington, DE
Washington, DC (includes national organizations)
AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, Washington, DC
AIDS Action Council, Washington, DC
Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, Washington, DC
American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging, Washington, DC
American Friends Service Committee-Community Relations Division, Washington, DC
American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC
American Network of Community Options and Resources, Washington, DC
American Planning Association, Washington, DC
American Seniors Housing Association, Washington, DC
Anacostia Economic Development Corporation, Washington, DC
Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, Washington, DC
B'Nai B'Rith, Washington, DC
Bazalon Center for Mental Health Law, Washington, DC
CASH PLUS, Washington, DC
Catholic Charities USA, Washington, DC
Center for Community Change, Washington, DC
Church Women United, Washington, DC
Commission on Social Action of Reformed Judaism, Washington, DC
Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, Washington, DC
Community Preservation & Development Corporation, Washington, DC
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force, Washington, DC
Consumers Union, Washington, DC
Council for Affordable Rural Housing, Washington, DC
Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, Washington, DC
Council of State Community Development Agencies, Washington, DC
Housing Investment Trust, Washington, DC
Housing Opportunities for Women, Washington, DC
Institute of Real Estate Management, Washington, DC
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 9
Jubilee Housing Inc., Washington, District of Columbia
Latino Civil Rights Task Force, Washington, DC
Latino Economic Development Corporation, Washington, DC
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Washington, DC
Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, ELCA, Washington, DC
National Apartment Association, Washington, DC
National Assisted Housing Management Association, Washington, DC
National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, Washington, DC
National Association of Community Development Loan Funds, Washington, DC
National Association of Counties, Washington, DC
National Association of Developmental Disabilities Council, Washington, DC
National Association of Housing Cooperatives, Washington, DC
National Association of Housing Redevelopment Organizations, Washington, DC
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems, Washington, DC
National Association of Realtors, Washington, DC
National Coalition for the Homeless, Washington, DC
National Community Development Association, Washington, DC
National Community Mental Health Care Council, Washington, DC
National Congress for Community Economic Development, Washington, DC
National Cooperative Bank, Washington, DC
National Cooperative Business Association, Washington, DC
National Council of Senior Citizens, Washington, DC
National Council of State Housing Agencies, Washington, DC
National Housing & Rehabilitation Association, Washington, DC
National Housing Conference, Washington, DC
National Housing Law Project, Washington, DC
National Housing Partnership, Washington, DC
National Housing Trust, Washington, DC
National League of Cities, Washington, DC
National Low Income Housing Coalition, Washington, DC
National Multi Housing Association, Washington, DC
National Neighborhood Coalition, Washington, DC
National Puerto Rican Coalition, Washington, DC
National Rural Housing Coalition, Washington, DC
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, DC
National Urban League, Inc., Washington, DC
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Washington, DC
North Capitol Neighborhood Development, Washington, DC
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Washington, DC
SEEDCO, Washington, DC
Simon Publications, Washington, DC
The Enterprise Foundation, Washington, DC
THE ARC, Washington, DC
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 10
U.S. Conference of Mayors, Washington, DC
United Way of America, Washington, DC
Urban Ventures, Washington, DC
Women & Poverty Project, Washington, DC
Women Work/Network for Women's Employment, Washington, DC
Florida
Advanced Housing Corporation, Miami, FL
Affordable Housing Solutions for Florida, Inc., FL
Board of Monroe County, FL
Central Florida Community Development Corporation, FL
City of Boca Raton, FL, Carol Hanson, Mayor
City of Boynton Beach, FL, Gerald Taylor Mayor
City of Cape Coral, FL, Ralph G. Butler Mayor
City of Clearwater FL, Rita Garvey, Mayor
City of Daytona Beach, FL, Paul A. Carpenella, Mayor
City of Hialeah, FL, Raul L. Martinez, Mayor
City of Hollywood, FL, Mara Giulianti, Mayor
City of Miami, FL, Stephen P. Clark, Mayor
City of Pompano Beach, FL, Emma Lou Olson, Mayor
City of St. Petersburg, FL, David J. Fischer Mayor
City of Tallahassee, FL, Scott Maddox, Mayor
City of Tampa, FL, Dick Greco, Mayor
City of West Palm Beach, FL, Nancy Graham, Mayor
Community Equity Investments, Inc., Pensacola, FL
Dade Employment and Economic Development Corp. Inc. (DEEDC), Miami, FL
Denihan & Associates, Pembroke Pines, FL
East Little Havana Community Development Corporation, Miami, FL
First Union National Bank - Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Florida Housing Coalition, FL
Greater Miami Neighborhoods, Miami, FL
Homes In Partnership Inc., Apopka, FL
Lee County Employment & Economic Development Corporation, FL
Lee Davis NDC, Tampa, FL
Little Haiti Housing Association, Inc., Miami, FL
Madison County Community Development, Edwardsville, FL
Metro - Dade County, Miami, FL
Metro-Miami Action Plan, Miami, FL
Miami Beach CDC Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Development Corporation, Miami Beach, FL
Miami Housing's Community Development Corporation, Miami, FL
Orange County Housing Finance Authority, Orlando, FL
Orlando Department of Housing & Community Development, Orlando, FL
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 11
Planning & Development Department, City of Orlando, FL
USF Area Community Civic Association, Tampa, FL
William R. Rough & Company, St. Petersburg, FL
Georgia
Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, Atlanta, GA
Board of Chatham County, GA
Board of DeKalb County, GA
Board of Fulton County, GA
Board of Newton County, GA
City of East Point, GA, Patsy Jo Hilliard, Mayor
Cobb Housing Inc., Marietta, GA,
Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, GA
Georgia Planning Association, Stone Mountain, GA
Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb, Decatur, GA
Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation, Atlanta, GA
SE Regional Council of NAHRO, GA
Wholistic Institute, Atlanta, GA
Hawaii
Affordable Housing Corporation of Maui County, Wailuku, HI
Board of Kauai County, HI
Board of the County and City of Honolulu, HI
City of Hilo, HI, Stephen Yamashiro, Mayor
County of Hawaii, HI
County of Maui, Linda Crock, Mayor, HI,
Honolulu Community Action Program, Honolulu, HI
Idaho
Boise Neighborhood Housing Services Inc., Boise, ID
Family Assistance in Transitional Housing, Idaho Falls, ID
Idaho Housing Coalition, ID
Illinois
Bethel New Life, Chicago, IL
Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago, IL
City of Anderson, IL, J. Mark Lawler Mayor
City of Chicago, IL, Richard M. Daley, Mayor
City of Evanston, IL, Lorraine H. Morton, Mayor
City of Highland Park, IL, Raymond J. Geraci, Mayor
City of North Chicago, IL, Bobby E. Thompson, Mayor
City of Oak Park, IL, Lawrence Christmas, Mayor
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 12
City of Rockford, IL, Charles E. Box, Mayor
Cook County Planning and Development Commission, Chicago, IL
Corver Community Action Agency, Galesburg, IL
County of Lake, Community Development Department, Waukegan, IL
County of Lake, Department of Planning, Waukegan, IL
Greater Roseland Community Development Corporation, Chicago, IL
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Chicago, IL
Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation, Chicago, IL
New Cities CDC, Harvey, IL
North River Housing Development Corporation, Chicago, IL
Rock River Valley Peace Action, Rock Falls, IL
Rockford Neighborhood Redevelopment, Rockford, IL
Rural Rental Housing Association of Illinois, Springfield, IL
South Suburban Action Conference, Hazel Crest, IL
Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless, Inc., IL
Southwest Chicago Development Commission, Chicago, IL
St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation, Chicago, IL
Travelers & Immigrants Aid, Chicago, IL
ZION Development Corporation, Rockford, IL
Indiana
BOS CDC, Indianapolis, IN
CA$H PLUS, South Bend, IN
CICOA The Access Network, IN
City of East Chicago, IN, Robert A. Patrick, Mayor
City of Elkhart, IN, James P. Perron, Mayor
City of Fort Wayne, IN, Paul Helmke, Mayor
City of Gary, IN, Thomas V. Barnes, Mayor
City of Hammond, IN, Duane W. Dedelow, Jr., Mayor
City of Lafayette, IN, James F. Riehle, Mayor
City of New Albany, IN, Douglas B. England, Mayor
City of Shelbyville, IN, Robert W. Williams, Mayor
City of South Bend, IN, Joe Kernan, Mayor
Concord Community Development Corporation, Indianapolis, IN
Eastside Community Investments, Indianapolis, IN
Hayes Realty Inc., Evansville, IN
Housing Futures Institute, Muncie, IN
Housing Partnerships, Inc., Columbus, IN
Indiana Association for Community Economic Development, IN
Indiana Coalition on Housing & Homeless Issues, IN
Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues, IN
Indiana Economic Development Academy, IN
KB Parrish & Company, CPA, Indianapolis, IN
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 13
King Park Area Development Corporation, Indianapolis, IN
Martin Luther King Community Development Association, Indianapolis, IN
NDC Douglas Properties, Inc., Hammond, IN
Northwest Indiana Habitat for Humanity, Inc, IN
Pathfinder Services, Inc., Huntington, IN
Sisters of Providence Motherhouse Peace & Justice Group, St.-Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
South Bend Heritage Foundation, South Bend, IN
Southeast Neighborhood Development, Indianapolis, IN
Iowa
Home-In-Stead, Inc., Osecola, IA
Iowa Department of Economic Development, Des Moines, IA
Iowa Institute for Low-Income Housing, IA
Metro Area Housing Program, Cedar Rapids, IA
Mid City Vision Coalition, Inc., Des Moines, IA
Muscatine's Center for Strategic Action, Muscatine, IA
South Central Iowa Development Corporation, IA
South Central Iowa Revolving Loan Fund, Inc., IA
Kansas
Barker Neighborhood Association, Lawrence, KS
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Douglas County, Lawrence, KS
City of Manhattan, KS, Edith L. Stunkel, Mayor
Housing & Credit Counseling Inc., Topeka, Kansas
Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc., Topeka, KS
Independence Inc., Lawrence, KS
Kaw Valley Chapter Older Women's League & Douglas County Advocacy Council on
Aging's Joint Housing Committee, Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence Job Service, Lawrence, KS
Mennonite Housing Rehab Services, Wichita, KS
The City of Lawrence, KS
Topeka Housing Partnership, Inc., Topeka, KS
Wichita Indochinese Center Inc., Wichita, KS
Kentucky
City of Covington, KY, Denny Bowman, Mayor
Family Resources, Inc., Winchester, KY
Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises, Inc., KY
Mountain Association for CED, Berea, KY
Office of Peace and Justice of the Sisters of Divine Providence, Melbourne, KY
Louisiana
City of Alexandria, LA, Edward G. Randolph, Jr., Mayor
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 14
City of Monroe, LA, Robert E. Powell, Mayor
City of New Orleans, LA, Marc Morial, Mayor
City of Shreveport, LA, Robert W. "Bo" Williams, Mayor
E. Hunter & Associates, New Orleans, LA
Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, Baton Rouge, LA
Ronald L. Brignac & Associates, New Orleans, LA
Rural Rental Housing Association of Louisiana, LA
Southern Research and Development Corporation, New Iberia, LA
Starthrowers, Franklin, LA
Xavier Triangle NDC, New Orleans, LA
Maine
Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Wiscasset, ME
Freeport Housing Trust, Inc., Freeport, ME
Maryland
City of Baltimore, MD, Kurt L. Schmoke, Mayor
City of Rockville, MD, James F. Coyle, Mayor
Community Housing Associates Inc., Baltimore, MD
Development Training Institute, Baltimore, MD
Devlin, Inc., Oakland, MD
Ferris Baker Watts, Inc., Baltimore, MD
Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc., Oakland, MD
Garrettland, Inc., Oakland, MD
Homes for America, Annapolis, MD
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of the Maryland Eastern Shore, Denton, MD
McAuley Institute, Silver Spring, MD
Neighborhood Rental Services of Baltimore, Inc., Baltimore, MD
Sandtown Habitat for Humanity Inc., Baltimore, MD
Southwest Visions Inc., Baltimore, MD
St. Luke's House, Inc., Chevy Chase, MD
Tri Churches Housing, Inc., Baltimore, MD
Tri-County Community Development Corporation, Hughesville, MD
Victory Housing, Inc., Rockville, MD
The Housing Counseling Clearinghouse, Gaithersburg, MD
Massachusetts
Acre Triangle Community Development Corporation, Lowell, MA
AIDS Housing Corporation, Boston, MA
Berkshire Housing Development Corporation, Pittsfield, MA
Boston Aging Concerns - Young and Old United, Boston, MA
Chelsea Neighborhood Housing Service, Chelsea, MA
City of Beverly, MA, William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 15
City of Boston, MA, Thomas M. Menino, Mayor
City of Chicopee, MA, Joseph J. Chessey, Jr., Mayor
City of Everett, MA, John R. McCarthy, Mayor
City of Haverhill, MA, James Rurak, Mayor
City of Lynn, MA, Patrick J. McManus, Mayor
City of Springfield, MA, Robert T. Markel, Mayor
Coalition for a Better Acre, Lowell, MA
Community Teamwork, Inc., Lowell, MA
Housing Assistance Corporation, Hyannis, MA
Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, Jamaica Plain, MA
Just-A-Start Corporation, Cambridge, MA
Lena Park Community Housing, Dorchester, MA
Massachusetts Association of CDCs, Boston, MA
Salem Harbor CDC, Salem, MA
South Shore Housing Development Corporation, Kingston, MA
Urban Edge, Roxbury, MA
Worcester Common Ground, Worcester, MA
Michigan
Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
Christian Outreach Rehabilitation & Development, Benton Harbor, MI
Church of the Messiah Housing Corporation, Detroit, MI
City of Detroit, MI, Dennis W. Archer Mayor
City of Inkster, MI, Edward Bivens, Jr., Mayor
City of Lansing, MI, David C. Hollister Mayor
City of Livonia, MI, Robert D. Bennett, Mayor
City of Oak Park, MI, Gerald Naftaly, Mayor
City of Pontiac, MI, Elick Shorter Mayor
City of Portage, MI, Donald E. Overlander Mayor
Cooperative Services, Inc., MI
Core City Neighborhoods, Detroit, MI
Court Street Village Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Flint, MI
Detroit Neighborhood Housing Services, Detroit, MI
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, MI
Emmanuel Community House, Detroit, MI
First of America, Grand Rapids, MI
Flint Community Development Corporation, Flint, MI
Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Inc., Flint, MI
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
Great Lakes Bancorp, Ann Arbor, MI
Housing Corporation, Detroit, MI
Housing Resources, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI
Hubbard Farms Community Group, Detroit, MI
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 16
Human Development Commission, Caro, MI
Human Resources Opportunities, Fowlarville, MI
Independent Management Services, Detroit, MI
Islandview Village Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
Joy of Jesus, Detroit, MI
Kalamazoo County Human Development, MI
Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, MI
Mexicantown Commercial Development, Detroit, MI
Michigan Housing Council, MI
New Hope Community Development Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Detroit, MI
New Hope Non Profit Housing Corporation, Detroit, MI
Northwest Detroit Neighborhood Development, Inc., Detroit, MI
Pax Christi Michigan, Sylvan Lake, MI
Peace and National Priorities Center, Sylvan Lake, MI
Portage Community Outreach Center, Portagve, MI
REACH, Inc., Detroit, MI
Redeemer Community Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
Saint Ignatius Non Profit Housing Corporation, Detroit, MI
Southwest Alliance for Neighborhood, Detroit, MI
Southwest Detroit Business Association, Detroit, MI
U-SNAP-BAC, Detroit, MI
United Streets Networking & Planning: Building A Community, Detroit, MI
V.I.S.I.O.N., Inc., Detroit, MI
VanCasCap, Lawrence, MI
Warren/Conner Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
Washington Heights Committee for Change, Battle Creek, MI
West Detroit Inter-Faith Community Organization, Detroit, MI
William T. Dobson, Ann Arbor, MI
Minnesota
American Indian Housing Corporation, Minneapolis, MN
Anoka County Community Action Program, Inc., Blaine, MN
Becker County HRA, Detroit Lakes, MN
Board of Olmsted County, MN
Board of Polk County, MN
Central Minnesota Housing Partnership, MN
City of Eden Prairie, MN, Jean Harris, Mayor
City of Hastings, MN,
City of Minneapolis, MN, Sharon Sayles Belton, Mayor
City of Richfield, MN, Martin J. Kirsch, Mayor
Dakota County HRA Rosemount, MN
Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, St. Paul, MN
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 17
Duluth Community Action Program, Duluth, MN
Farmers & Merchants State Bank, New York Mills, MN
Farmers State Bank, Waubun, MN
First National Bank, Monahga, MN
Frogtown Action Alliance, St. Paul, MN
Holy Redeemer Church, Marshall, MN
Housing Initiatives, St. Paul, MN
Justice & Service Team, St. Joseph, MN
Koochiching-Itasca Action Council, Grand Rapids, MN
Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corporation, Minneapolis, MN
Mahoney, Ulbrich, Christiansen & Russ, P.A., Minneapolis, MN
Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation, Detroit Lakes, MN
Minneapolis Community Development Agency, Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Community Action Association, MN
Minnesota Housing Partnership, MN
Minnesota's Community Development Corporation, MN
MNCARH, Taylors Falls, MN
Neighborhood Development Center, Inc., St. Paul, MN
Northeast Metro Coalition for Affordable Housing, White Bear Lake, MN
Northstar CDC, Duluth, MN
Northwoods Bank of Minnesota, Park Rapids, MN
Norwest Bank Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Office for Social Justice, St. Paul, MN
Overcoming Poverty Together, Mankato, MN
Perham State Bank, Perham, MN
Political Advocates of Affordable Housing Dakota Co., Lakeville, MN
Project for Pride in Living, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Rochester/Olmsted Community Housing Partnership, Rochester, MN
St. Paul Coalition For Community Development, St. Paul, MN
Tri-County Action Programs, Inc., St. Cloud, MN
Washington County HRA, St. Paul, MN
Western Initiatives for Neighborhood Development, St Paul, MN
Whittier Alliance, Minneapolis, MN
Wilden NIP, St. Paul, MN
Mississippi
American Planning Association, Mississippi Chapter, MS
Big River Housing Development Corporation, Marks, MS
City of Natchez, MS, Larry L. Brown, Mayor
City of Tupelo, MS, Jack L. Marshall, Mayor
Friends of the Children of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
Intervest Corporation, Jackson, MS
Jackson Metro Housing Partnership, Jackson, MS
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 18
Quitman County Development Organization, Inc., Marks, MS
Rural Rental Housing Association of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
United Management Systems, Macon, MS
Missouri
Blue Hills Homes Corporation, Kansas City, MO
City of Independence, MO, Rondell F. Stewart, Mayor
City of Kansas City, MO, Emanuel Cleaver II, Mayor
City of St. Charles, MO, Robert L. Moeller Mayor
City of St. Joseph, MO, Larry R. Stobbs, Mayor
City of St. Louis, MO, Freeman R. Bosley, Jr., Mayor
City of University City, MO, Janet Majerus, Mayor
Community Builders-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Community Development Corporation-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Hamilton Heights Neighborhood Organization Inc., St. Louis, MO
Historic Northeast Restoration Corporation, Kansas City, MO
Midtown Community Development Corporation, Kansas City, MO
Old Northeast, Inc., Kansas City, MO
Regional Housing Alliance, St. Louis, MO
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas City, MO
St. Louis Association of Community Organization (SLACO), St. Louis, MO
The Kitchen, Inc., Springfield, MO
Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation, Kansas City, MO
Montana
Board of McCone County, MT
City of Butte, MT, Jack Lynch, Mayor
Nebraska
City of Grand Island, NE, Ken Gnadt, Mayor
City of Lincoln, NE, Mike Johanns, Mayor
Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Waterville, NE
Nu-Style Development, Omaha, NE
Platte Valley Community Development Initiative, Scottsbluff, NE
Nevada
Affordable Housing Resource Center of Southern Nevada, NV
American Federal Savings, Las Vegas, NV
Blackthorn Company, Las Vegas, NV
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
City of Las Vegas, NV, Jan Laverty Jones, Mayor
Nevada Community Reinvestment Corporation, Las Vegas, NV
Nevada Fair Housing, NV
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 19
Nevada HAND, NV
Nevada Homes for Youth, Las Vegas, NV
Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Omaha, NV
S.H.A.R.E., Las Vegas, NV
Salvation Army, Las Vegas, NV
Saxton Incorporated, Las Vegas, NV
Southern Nevada Housing Corporation, Las Vegas, NV
The Blackthorn Company, Las Vegas, NV
The Shade Tree, Las Vegas, NV
United Way of Southern Nevada, NV
Womens Development Center, Las Vegas, NV
New Hampshire
Board of Hillsborough County, NH
Community Economic Development Program/ New Hampshire College, Manchester, NH
Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Laconia, NH
New Jersey
Affordable Housing Network of New Jersey, NJ
Board of Camden County, NJ
Catholic Community Services Housing Corporation, Newark, NJ
City of Bayonne, NJ, Leonard P. Kiczek, Mayor
City of Bridgewater NJ, James T. Dowden, Mayor
City of East Orange, NJ, Cardell Cooper Mayor
City of Edison, NJ, George A. Spadoro, Mayor
City of Jersey City, NJ, Bret Schundler Mayor
City of Newark, NJ, Sharpe James, Mayor
City of Patterson, NJ, William J. Pascrell, Jr., Mayor
City of Trenton, NJ, Douglas H. Palmer Mayor
City of Vineland, NJ, Joseph Romano, Mayor
City of West New York, NJ, Albio Sires, Mayor
Community Access Unlimited, Inc., Elizabeth, NJ
Donald Jackson Neighborhood Corporation, Newark, NJ
Enterprise Foundation Newark, Newark, New Jersey
Essex County Division of Housing & Community Development, Cedar Grove, NJ
Felician Sisters, Lodi, NJ
La Casa De Don Pedro, Newark, NJ
O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Toms River, NJ
St. James Community Development Corporation, Newark, NJ
St. Joseph's Carpenter Society, Camden, NJ
St. Paul's CDC, Paterson, NJ
St. James Community Development Corp., Newark, NJ
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 20
New Mexico
City of Roswell, NM, Thomas E. Jennings, Mayor
City of Santa Fe, NM, Debbie Jaramillo, Mayor
Los Alamos Housing Partnership Inc, Los Alamos, NM
Rural Housing, Inc., NM
Siste Del Norte CDC, Ombudo, NM
New York
ABCCD, Brooklyn, NY
Abyssinian Development Corporation, New York, NY
Access Development Fund, New York, NY
Addicts Rehabilitation Center, New York, NY
Albany Housing Coalition, Inc., Albany, NY
Alfred Housing Committee, Inc., Alfred, NY
American Planning Association Upstate, New York Chapter, NY
Aquinas Housing Corp., Bronx, NY
Argus Community Inc., Bronx, NY
Arker Companies, Woodmere, NY
Asian Americans for Equality, Inc., New York, NY
B.U.I.L.D., Bronx, NY
Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association, Bronx, NY
Battery Park City Authority, New York, NY
Black United Fund of New York, New York, NY
Broadway Housing Development Fund Company, New York, NY
Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation, NY
Brooklyn Neighborhood Improvement Association, Brooklyn, NY
Builders for the Family and Youth Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Capitol Hill Improvement Corporation, Albany, NY
Caroll Gardens Association, Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Carroll Garden Assoc., Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Catherine McAuley Housing, Rochester, NY
Cayuga Development, Auburn, NY
Central Islip Civic Council, Inc., Central Islip, NY
Citizens Alliance, Inc., Buffalo, NY
City of Albany, NY, Gerald D. Jennings, Mayor
City of Auburn, NY, Guy Thomas Cosentino, Mayor
City of Binghamton, NY, Richard A. Bucci, Mayor
City of Buffalo, NY, Anthony Masiello, Mayor
City of Hempstead, NY, James A. Garner Mayor
City of Rochester NY, William A. Johnson, Jr., Mayor
City of Rockville Centre, NY, Eugene J. Murray, Mayor
City of Syracuse, NY, Roy A. Bernardi, Mayor
Clinton Housing Development Co., New York, NY
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 21
Clinton Housing Development Company, New York, NY
Coalition for Affordable Transitional Community Housing, Burnsville, NY
Columbia Hall HDFC, New York, NY
Committee for the Heights Inwood Homeless, New York, NY
Common Ground Community, New York, NY
Community Access, Inc., New York, NY
Community Service Society of New York, NY
Community Training & Resources Center, New York, NY
Corporation for Supportive Housing, New York, NY
Cortland Housing Assistance Council, Inc., Cortland, NY
Cowanus Canal Community Development Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
East New York Urban Youth Corporations, Brooklyn, NY
Ecumenical Community Development Organization, New York, NY
Ecumenical Community Development Organization, Riverside, NY
El Barrio Operation Fightback, New York, NY
Ellicott District Community Development, Inc., Buffalo, NY
Erasmus Neighborhood Federation, Brooklyn, NY
FEGS, New York, NY
Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, Bronx, NY
Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, New York, NY
Gema Hall LP, New York, NY
Greater Sheepshead Bay Development Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
Harlem Restoration Project, Inc., New York, NY
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc., NY
Harlem Restoration Project, Inc., NY
Health Industry Resource Enterprises Inc., New York, NY
Hill & Vale Affordable Housing, Inc., Schenectady, NY
Housing 2000 LP, New York, NY
Housing 2000, New York, NY
Housing Partnership, Elmsford, NY
Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc., Syracuse, NY
Hudson River Housing, Inc., Poughkeepsie, NY
Human Development Services of Port Chester, Inc., Port Chester, NY
Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, New York, NY
Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Kenmore, NY
Lackawanna Housing Development Corporation, Lackawanna, NY
Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights Housing Projects, Brooklyn, NY
Long Island Housing Partnership, Hauppause, NY
Longwood Historic District Community Association Inc., Bronx, NY
Lower East Side Coalition Housing Development, Inc., New York, NY
Lower West Side Development Corporation, Buffalo, NY
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 22
Manhattan Valley Development Corporation, NY
MBD Community Housing Corporation, Bronx, NY
Measaruey Russell & Company CPAs, Hempstead, NY
Met Council, New York, NY
Metro Realty Advisors, New York, NY
Metropolitan NY Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty, New York, NY
Midwood Development Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
Morrisania Revitalization, Bronx, New York
Mount Hope Housing Co. Inc., Bronx, NY
Mount Vernon United Tenants, Mount Vernon, NY
MTFA Support House Residence, New York, NY
Multi-County Community Development Corporation, Highland, NY
Nassau County OHIA, NY
National Bank and Trust Company, Norwich, NY
Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter Inc., New York, NY
Neighborhood Housing of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc., New York, NY
Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation, Bronx, NY
Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of New York State, Inc., NY
Neighbors of Watertown, Inc., Watertown, NY
New Directions in Community Revitalization, Inc., Bronx, NY
New Urban Association, Inc., New York, NY
New York State Coalition for the Homeless, Buffalo, NY
New York State Department of Social Services, Albany, NY
New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Albany, NY
New York State Tenants and Neighbors Coalition, Albany, NY
Northeast Brooklyn Housing Department, Brooklyn, NY
Northeast Development, Inc., Rochester, NY
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp., New York, NY
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, New York, NY
Northfield Community LDC, Staten Island, NY
Old First Ward Community Association, Inc., Buffalo, NY
Peoples Mutual Housing, New York, NY
Phase: Piggy Back, Inc., Harlem, NY
Phipps Houses, New York, NY
Polish Community Center of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
PRATT Planning & Architecture Cooperative, Brooklyn, NY
Project Return Foundation Inc., New York, NY
Pueblo Nuevo HDH Inc., New York City, NY
Queens Community Civic Organization, Flushing, NY
Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, Far Rockaway, NY
Rockland Community Development Council, Inc., Monsey, NY
Rural Opportunities, Inc., Rochester, NY
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 23
Rural Ulster Preservation Company, Kingston, NY
Ryer Avenue Housing DFC San Miquel Residence, Bronx, NY
S.E.E.D.S., New York, NY
Saccardi & Schiff Inc., White Plains, NY
Saint Nicholas NPC, Brooklyn, NY
SEBCO, Bronx, NY
SEDS Development Corporation, New York City, NY
Senior Housing Resource Corporation, Staten Island, NY
Settlement Housing Fund Inc., New York, NY
Sheldrake Organization, Hempstead, NY
Simeon Service Foundation Inc., Bronx, NY
Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul of New York, Bronx, NY
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas- Justice Coordinating Team, Brookland, NY
Southern Brooklyn Community Organization, Brooklyn, NY
Spanish Action League, Syracuse, NY
SRO Providers Group, New York, NY
St. Joseph's Housing Corporation, Albany, NY
St. Marks Housing Development, Brooklyn, NY
St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corp., Brooklyn, NY
Syracuse United Neighbors, Inc., Syracuse, NY
The Community Preservation Corporation, New York, NY
The Jericho Project, New York, NY
The Urban Group, Bronx, NY
Thorpe Family Residence, Bronx, NY
Time of Jubilee, Inc., Syracuse, NY
Troy Architectural Program, Inc,
Troy Rehabilitation & Improvement Program, Inc., Troy, NY
Turning Point, H.D.F.C., New York, NY
Turning Point HDFC, Bronx, NY
Two Plus Four Construction Company, East Syracuse, NY
United Jewish Council of the East Side, Inc., New York, NY
University Neighborhood Housing Program, Bronx, NY
Urban Partnership, New York, NY
Urban Pathways, New York, NY
VIP Community Services, Bronx, NY
Volunteers of America Greater New York, NY
Washingtonville Housing Alliance, Namaroneck, NY
West Harlem Community Organization Inc., New York, NY
West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc., New York, NY
West Side Federation for Senior Housing, Inc., New York, NY
West Side Federation, New York, NY
Westhab in Yonkers, Inc., Yonkers, NY
Westhab, Inc., Elmsford, NY
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 24
North Carolina
Bennet College CDC, Greensboro, NC
City of Asheville, NC, Russell Martin, Mayor
City of Concord, NC, George W. Liles, Mayor
City of Durham, NC, Sylvia Kerckhoff, Mayor
City of Greensboro, NC, Carolyn S. Allen, Mayor
City of Jacksonville, NC, M.C. (Joe) Choate, Mayor
City of Wilmington, NC, Don Betz, Mayor
Community Developers of Beaufort-Hyde, Belhaven, NC
Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation, Raleigh, NC
Greater Greensboro Housing Foundation Inc., Greensboro, NC
Hayti Development Corporation, Durham, NC
Housing Authority of the City of Asheville, Asheville, NC
Metropolitan Low Income Housing Community Development Corp., Inc., Washington, NC
MNCACDC, Raleigh, NC
Nations Bank, Charlotte, NC
North Carolina Community Development Initiative, NC
North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, NC
Northwestern Regional Housing Authority, Boone, NC
Rocky Mount/Edgecombe CDC, Rocky Mount, NC
North Dakota
City of Grand Forks, ND, Michael Polovitz, Mayor
North Dakota Council for Rural Housing & Development, ND
Ohio
Avondale Redevelopment Corporation, Cincinnati, OH
Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Board of Cuyahoga County, OH
Board of Summit County, OH
City of Akron, OH, Donald L. Plusquellic, Mayor
City of Chillocothe, OH, Joseph P. Sulzer Mayor
City of Cleveland, OH, Michael R. White, Mayor
City of Fairborn, OH, Lynn E. Wolaver Mayor
City of Garfield Heights, OH, Thomas J. Longo, Mayor
City of Kettering, OH, Richard Hartmann, Mayor
City of Lima, OH, David Berger Mayor
City of Lorain, OH, Alex M. Olejko, Mayor
City of Mansfield, OH, Lydia Reid, Mayor
City of Newark, OH, Frank Stare, Mayor
City of Strongsville, OH, Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Mayor
City of University Heights, OH, Beryl E. Rothschild, Mayor
City of Warensville Heights, OH, Raymond J. Grabow, Mayor
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 25
Cleveland Housing Network, Inc., Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Neighborhood Development Corporation, OH
Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio, OH
Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development, Athens, OH
East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, Akron, OH
Fairfield Homes, Inc., Fairfield, OH
Friends of Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH
Glenville Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Hallmark Management Associates, Cleveland, OH
Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
James L. Klear, Inc., Dayton, OH
Kamm's Corners Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Miles Ahead, Inc., Cleveland, OH
Mischler Nurre & Waite CPAs, Dayton, OH
Neighborhoods In Partnership, Toledo, OH
Neighbors Organized for Action in Housing, Inc., Cleveland, OH
New England Assisted Housing Management Association, Columbus, OH
NH-Tech Housing Services, Columbus, OH
Northeast Shores Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Columbus, OH
Ohio Department of Development, OH
Portage Area Development Corporation, Ravenna, OH
Ross County Community Action, Chillicothe, OH
Simmit County, Akron, OH
Sisters of Mercy Housing, Cincinnati, OH
Slavic Village Broadway Development, Cleveland, OH
South Lorain Community Development Corporation, OH
Toledo Olde Towne Community Organization, Toledo, OH
Transitional Housing Inc., Cleveland, OH
Union Miles Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, Cincinnati, OH
Westown Community Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation, Cleveland, OH
Oklahoma
Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc., Hugo, OK
Oregon
Board of Lane County, OR
Catholic Charities of Portland, Portland, OR
CDC of Josephine County, OR
Central City Concern, Portland, OR
Citizens Committed to Community, Portland, OR
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 26
City of Beaverton, OR Rob Drake, Mayor
City of Corvallis, OR Helen M. Berg, Mayor
City of Medford, OR Jerry Lausman, Mayor
City of Portland, OR Vera Katz, Mayor
Clackamas County Community Development Department, OR
Clackamas County Department of Human Services, Clackamas, OR
Community Action Agency of Yamhill County, McMinnville, OR
Community Action Team, Inc., St. Helena, OR
Downtown Community Housing, Inc., Portland, OR
Famannka Housing Development Corporation, Woodbarn, OR
Farmworker Housing Development Corp., Woodburn, OR
HOST Development, Portland, OR
Housing Authority of Clackamas County, Oregon City, OR
Housing Development Center, Portland, OR
Housing for People, Inc., Hood River, OR
Human Solutions, Inc., Portland, OR
Innovative Housing, Portland, OR
Jubilee Fellowship Ministries, Portland, OR
Linn County Affordable Housing, Lebanon, OR
Low Income Housing Native Americans of Portland, Portland, OR
Marion County, Salem, OR
Metro CDC, Portland, OR
Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, Eugene, OR
Neighborhood Partnership Find, Portland, OR
Northeast Community Development Corporation, Portland, OR
Northeast Housing Alternatives, Milauke, OR
Northwest Housing Alternatives, Milauke, OR
Oregon Community Action Team, OR
Oregon Housing Now!, OR
Oregon Office of Mental Health Services, OR
Oregon Rural Housing Coalition, OR
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc., Portland, OR
Portland Development Commission, Portland, OR
Portland Housing Center, Portland, OR
Portland Housing Center, Portland, OR
Portsmouth Community Redevelopment Corp., Portland, OR
PSU Business Outreach, Portland, OR
Reach CDC, Portland, OR
REACH Community Development, Portland, OR
Rose C.D.C., Portland, OR
Sabin Community Development Corp., Portland, OR
Sabin Community Development Corporation, Portland, OR
Saint Vincent de Paul Society/Housing Programs, Eugene, OR
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 27
SoCo Development, Klamath Falls, OR
The Neighborhood Partnership Fund, Portland, OR
The Neighborhood Partnership Fund, Portland, OR
The Planning Group, Portland, OR
Tualatin Jauey Housing Partners, Portland, OR
Umpqua CDC, Roseburg, OR
Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Residential Finance Authority, Pittsburgh, PA
Alliance For Better Housing, Kennett Square, PA
Board of Chester County, PA
Board of Dauphin County, PA
Board of Lancaster County, PA
Board of Monroe County, PA
City of Chester PA, Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard, Mayor
City of Erie, PA, Joyce A. Savocchio, Mayor
City of Harrisburg, PA, Stephen R. Reed, Mayor
City of Philadelphia, PA, Edward G. Rendell, Mayor
City of Pittsburgh, PA, Tom Murphy, Mayor
City of York, PA, Charles H. Robertson, Mayor
Community Action Committee of the LV, Bethlehem, PA
Community Human Services Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA
Community Ventures, Philadelphia, PA
Duquesne Business Advisory Corporation, Duquesne, PA
Housing Consortium for Disabled Individuals, Philadelphia, PA
Housing Development Corporation, Lancaster, PA
Hunting Park C.D.C., Philadelphia, PA
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Bucks County, Bristol, PA
Jefferson Manor CDC, Philadelphia, PA
Kensington Area Revitalization Project, Philadelphia, PA
Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership, Lancaster, PA
Mon Valley Initiative, Homestead, PA
Monessen Community Development Corporation, Monessen, PA
Northern Cambria Community Development Corporation, Barnesboro, PA
Office of Human Relations, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Peace & Justice Ministry of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Doylestown, PA
Pennsylvania Federation of CDCs, PA
Philadelphia Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburg Area Religion & Race, Pittsburg, PA
Project H.O.M.E., Philadelphia, PA
Sisters Place, Pittsburgh, PA
St. Joseph's Church Parish Community, Wilkes-Barre, PA
St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 28
Susquehanna Valley Development Group, Inc., Turbotville, PA
The West Philadelphia Partnership CDC Philadelphia, PA
Town of Bloomsburg, PA
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, PA
Warrior Run Development Corporation, Turbotville, PA
Yoder Builders, Inc., Turbotville, PA
York County Planning Commission, York, PA
Puerto Rico
Asociacion de Puertoriquena en Marcha, San Huan PR
City of Abuada, PR Julio C. Roman, Mayor
City of Humacao, PR Julio Cesar Lopez Gerena, Mayor
City of Juana Diaz, PR Santiago Martinez-Irizarry, Mayor
City of San Juan, PR Hector Luis Acevedo, Mayor
Desarollos Metalarte, Inc., Coamo, PR
Rhode Island
Church Community Housing Corporation, Newport, RI
City of Pawtucket, RI, Robert E. Metivier Mayor
City of Providence, RI, Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., Mayor
Housing Network of Rhode Island, Providence, RI
Omni Development Corporation, Providence, RI
Smith Hill Community Development Corp., Providence, RI
South Carolina
Baskerville Ministries, Pawleys Islands, SC
Board of Richland County, SC
Bownman Low Rental Housing Co., Inc., Bowman, SC
City of Charleston, SC, Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor
City of Rock Hill, SC, Elizabeth D. Rhea, Mayor
Clark Estates of Columbia, Columbia, SC
Nehemiah Corporation, Evansville, SC
St. Vincent de Paul Society- Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Orangeburg, SC
The N.E.W. Fund, Charleston, SC
South Dakota
Development For The Disabled, Rapid City, SD
Midwest Assisted Housing Management Association, Sioux Falls, SD
Mills Development Company, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD
Mill Property Management, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD
NESDCAP, Sisseton, SD
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 29
Tennessee
Affordable Housing of Nashville Inc., Nashville, TN
Board of Shelby County, TN
City of Memphis Division of Housing & Community Development, Memphis, TN
City of Nashville, TN, Philip N. Bredesen, Mayor
Knox County. The Development Corporation, Knoxville, TN
Network for Community Economic Development, Nashville, TN
Resource Foundation, Nashville, TN
Scott-Morgan Community Development Corporation, Robbins, TN
United Way of the Mid-South, Memphis, TN
Texas
AIDS Services of Dallas, Texas, TX
American Agape Foundation, Inc., San Antonio, TX
Assisted Housing Management Association of East Texas, TX
Board of Fort Bend County, TX
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
Centro Para Desarollo De La Vivienda, Dallas, TX
City of Austin, TX, Bruce Todd, Mayor
City of Beaumont, TX, David Moore, Mayor
City of Forest Hill, TX, Esterlene Griffin, Mayor
City of Galveston, TX, Barbara Crews, Mayor
City of Laredo, TX, Saul N. Ramirez, Jr., Mayor
City of San Antonio, TX, William E. Thornton, Mayor
City of Waco, TX, J. Robert Sheehy, Sr., Mayor
Colonias Del Valle, Inc, Pharr, TX
Community Enrichment Center, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
Cornerstone Housing Corporation, Dallas, TX
Domicile Property Management, Inc., San Antonio, TX
East Austin Economic Development Corporation, Austin, TX
Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Houston, TX
Fort Worth Housing Authority, Fort Worth, TX
Freedmen's Town, Houston, TX
Greater Park Place CDC, Houston, TX
GREENarc Corporation, Dallas, TX
Harlingen Community Development Corporation, Harlingen, TX
Housing Opportunities of Fort Worth, Forth Worth, TX
Houston Chinatown Community Development Corporation, Houston, TX
LaSalle Equity Group, Inc., Dallas, TX
League of United Latin American Citizens District XV, San Antonio, TX
New Community Builders Inc., San Antonio, TX
Oak Cliff Development Corporation, Dallas, TX
Our Casa Resident Council Inc., San Antonio, TX
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 30
Panhandle Community Service, Amarillo, TX
San Antonio Housing Authority, TX
Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation, Pasadena, TX
Sunnyside-UP, Inc., Houston, TX
Tarrant County ACCESS for the Homeless, Fort Worth, TX
Tenth Street Historic CDC, Dallas, TX
Texas Alliance for Human Needs, TX
Texas Housing Finance Corporation, TX
The Laredo National Bank, Laredo, TX
The Peace Housing Corporation, Dallas, TX
U. U. Housing Assistance Corporation, San Antonio, TX
Visitation House, San Antonio, TX
YWCA of Fort Worth & Tarrant Co., Fort Worth, TX
Utah
Board of Fort Bend County, UT
Board of Davis County, UT
City of Logan, UT, Darla D. Clark, Mayor
City of Salt Lake City, UT, Deedee Corradini, Mayor
Park City Municipal Corporation, Park City, UT
Virginia
Accomack-Northampton Housing and Redevelopment Corporation, VA
Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, VA
Accomack-Northampton Regional Housing Authority, VA
American Planning Association, Virginia Chapter, VA
Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, Inc., Roanoke, VA
Board of Accomak County, VA
Board of Bath County, VA
Board of Prince George County, VA
Central Virginia Independent Living Center, Richmond, VA
Church Hill Neighborhood, Inc., Richmond, VA
City of Alexandria, VA, Patricia S. Ticer Mayor
City of Chesapeake, VA, William E. Ward, Mayor
City of Norfolk, VA, Paul Fraim, Mayor
City of Richmond, VA, Leonidas B. Young, II, Mayor
City of Spokane, WA, Jack Geraghty, Mayor
ElderHomes Corporation, Richmond, VA
Fairfax Housing Counseling Services, Inc., Springfield, VA
Interfaith Housing Corporation, Richmond, VA
Junction Center for Independent Living, Big Stone Gap, VA
National Association of State Directors on Developmental Disabilities Services,
Alexandria, VA
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 31
Newland Samaritan Inn, Inc. and Miriam's House Inc., Lynchburg, VA
Reston Interfaith, Reston, VA
Richmond Better Housing Coalition, Richmond, VA
Richmond Better Housing Corporation, Richmond, VA
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Richmond, VA
Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Roanoke, VA
Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation, Richmond, VA
SRO Housing of Richmond, Richmond, VA
Vermont
Burlington Community Land Trust, VT
City of Burlington, VT, Peter Clavelle, Mayor
Northern Community Investment Corporation, St. Johnsbury, VT
Washington
Board of King County, WA
Capital Hill Housing Improvement Program, Seattle, WA
Central Area Development Corporation, Seattle, WA
City of Auburn, WA, Charles A. Booth, Mayor
City of Everett, WA, Edward D. Hansen, Mayor
City of Seattle, WA, Norman B. Rice, Mayor
City of Tacoma, WA, Harold G. Moss, Mayor
Common Ground, Seattle, WA
Community Action Center, Pullman, WA
Department of Community Services, Vancouver, WA
Eastside Mental Health, Bellevue, WA
Grandview Residents Council, Everett, WA
Harbor Churches Community Outreach, Hoguiam, WA
Housing Resources Group-Seattle, Seattle, WA
Inland Empire Residential Resources, Spokane, WA
Martin Luther King Ecumenical Center, Tacoma, WA
Minority Executive Directors Coalition of King County, WA
Northeastern Washington Rural Resources, WA
Sisters of the Holy Name, Spokane, WA
SouthEast Effective Development, Seattle, WA
The Compass Center, Seattle, WA
United Indians of All Tribes Federation, WA
Urban Enterprise Center, Seattle, WA
Washington Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Bellevue, WA
Wisconsin
Ain Dah Ing, Inc., Shell Lake, WI
Almena Business Development Corporation, Almena, WI
The Honorable Bill Archer
Page 32
Almena Commercial Club, Almena, WI
Amery Land Development Associates, Almena, WI
Bank of Turtle Lake, Turtle Lake, WI
Cathedral Peace & Social Justice Group, Superior, WI
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, WI
City of Madison, WI, Paul R. Soglin, Mayor
City of Racine, WI, James M. Smith, Mayor
City of Shell Lake, WI
City of Wausau, WI, John D. Hess, Mayor
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, WI
Grandmothers for Peace Northland Chapter, Superior, WI
Impact Seven, Almena, WI
Northwest Wisconsin Community Services, Inc., Superior, WI
Shell Lake Area Industrial Development Corporation, Shell Lake, WI
The Alexander Company, Inc., Madison, WI
Village of Almena, WI
Western Wisconsin Development Corporation, WI
Wisconsin Conference of Churches, WI
Wisconsin Division of Housing, Madison, WI
Wisconsin Housing Ministry Partnership, WI
Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development, WI
West Virginia
City of Wheeling, WV, John W. Lipphardt, Mayor
Clay Mountain Housing Inc., Clay Mountain, WV
Mental Health Association in Monongalia County, Morgantown, WV
S.A.F.E., Inc., Welch, WV
Wyoming
City of Cheyenne, WY, Leo A. Pando, Mayor
City of Douglas, WY
The Washington Times
WASHINGTON, D.C., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1995
JOHN DANFORTH
an Republicans shed the
keep the tax credits only if the hous-
the Housing Credit generates
eral Democrats like then-Senate
C
bad rap that we don't care
Housing
ing performs in the open market as
90,000 jobs, $2.8 billion in wages
Majority Leader George Mitchell
about low income people
promised, so that housing is built to
and salaries, and $1.3 billion in tax
and Rep. Charles Rangel of Harlem
and communities? Not if we
last, on time and on budget, and is
revenues each year.
to conservative Republicans like
abandon the few social programs
that reflect core Republican val-
tax credits
well maintained and operated effi-
Moreovor, the Housing Credit
now-Speaker Newt Gingrich and
ciently. As a policy tool, the Hous-
has shown us how real partner-
Sen. Jesse Helms. The Republican
ues, are proven successes and enjoy
ing Credit has been incredibly effi-
ships among community residents,
Governors Association calls the
broad support. That's why it makes
cient; the typical house costs only
the private sector, and government
Housing Credit "a key element in
no sense that the House Ways and
Means Committee has targeted for
where it
$1,333 in tax credits per year for 30
at all levels can really work. One
the recovering real estate industry
years of service, and about 86 per-
nonprofit organization, the Local
and the most effective tool we have
elimination the low-income Hous-
cent of that amount actually goes to
Initiatives Support Corp., has
to see the housing needs of lower
ing Tax Credit.
build the housing. That's because
raised more than a billion dollars in
income renters." Jack Kemp has
I helped create the Housing
Credit in 1986 when Republicans
counts
investors must compete for a limit-
investment for low income com-
said he wouldn't be Jack Kemp if he
ed number of state-designated
munity sponsored housing from
didn't support the Housing Credit.
last controlled the Senate and
developments.
such prominent and sophisticated
So why is the House Ways and
Ronald Reagan was president. It
But the Housing Credit pro-
companies as the Bank of America,
Means Committee proposing to end
was the only significant new tax
duces more than just housing. It
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and War-
the Housing Credit? The committee
incentive established under the
multifamily housing construction,
has become a primary federal
ren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
cites a single, unsubstantiated
landmark Tax Reform Act, and a
and virtually all affordable rental
resource for rebuilding distressed
A respected business leadership
charge that some taxpayers may
dramatic contrast to previous hous-
housing development, to the Hous-
inner cities. Nonprofit self-help
group, the Committee for Econom-
inappropriately be claiming the
ing programs that were poorly tar-
ing Credit. Because it is flexible
groups, called community devel-
ic Development, recommends that
Housing Credit, and has asked the
geted, too expensive, plagued by
and deployed by the states in con-
opment corporations, have artful-
the Housing Credit should be
General Accounting Office to inves-
the worst kind or federal bureau-
sultation with local communities,
ly used the Housing Credit to
expanded, in part because it "cre-
tigate. But the GAO has barely even
cracy, divorced from the discipline
the Housing Credit works well in a
revive moribund neighborhoods
ates a connection of mutual interest
begun its inquiry, let alone con-
of the marketplace, and rigidly
wide range of urban, rural and sub-
and a sense of community pride
between investors and inner-city
cluded that the program is flawed
indifferent to local needs and pri-
urban areas, and has built and reha-
and hope, with remarkable results
communities." That kind of corpo-
beyond repair. That kind of justice
orities.
bilitated not just traditional apart-
from South Central Los Angeles to
rate-community collaboration is
is straight out of Alice in Wonder-
The Housing Credit has indeed
ments, but also single family
the part of the South Bronx where
sorely needed at a time of rising
land; sentence first, trial later.
been different. It is run by the states
homes, townhouses, and even sin-
Colin Powell grew up amid pover-
social fragmentation and pes-
Instead of killing the Housing
much like a block grant, not by the
gle-room occupancy hotels for the
ty. In my own home state, the
simism about our ability to solve
Credit, we should celebrate it as a
Department of Housing and Urban
homeless.
Kansas City Neighborhood
America's most intractable prob-
leading example of a too rare breed:
Development. Without federal
Another strength is the Housing
Alliance uses credit-financed hous-
lems.
a social program that really works.
bureaucratic shackles, the Housing
Credit's ability to mobilize entre-
ing to bring stability to the lives of
The Housing Credit proves that
Credit got off to the fastest start of
preneurial capitalism for public
inner-city single parents, enabling
history, and has been running hard
in private investment, none of
N
ot surprisingly, so succcess-
Republican values can generate
any housing program in American
benefit. It has attracted $12 billion
them to get jobs, escape from wel-
ful a program has attracted
policy that is both effective and
fare dependency, and even become
broad bipartisan support. By
compassionate.
ever since. It has produced 750,000
which would have flowed to low
homeowners. Such housing also
the time the Housing Credit was
housing units since 1987, and
income housing otherwise. The pri-
anchors further economic growth
made a permanent part of the tax
114,000 units last year alone. The
vate investors have brought rigor-
in depressed and blighted areas,
code in 1993, it had drawn co-spon-
John Danforth is a former Repub-
National Association of Home
ous business discipline to the
attracting additional private
sorship from 86 senators and 332
lican member of the U.S. Senate
Builders attributes almost half of all
process. Investors can claim and
investment and jobs. Nationwide,
representatives, ranging from lib-
from Missouri.
The Washington Post
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1995
3
V
Met
Successful Housing Credit Program for Poor in Peril
By Guy Gugliotta
Archer in July asked the General
signed by the Republicans extolled the
Washington Post Staff Writer
Accounting Office to see whether the
credit as a "crucial program" that had
IRS adequately was monitoring the
been "tremendously successful."
t is a program the GOP should
housing credit for fraud. He suggested
The letter to Senate Finance Com-
love-a federal tax incentive ad-
in his letter that "the lack of a solid
mittee Chairman Sen. William V. Roth
ministered by the states that us-
compliance program could cost taxpay-
Jr. (R-Del.) also noted the credit ful-
es private capital to benefit local
ers as much as $600 million a year."
filled GOP ideals because it was "a de-
communities. The program's goal is
Archer's office said the panel in-
centralized program, administered by
to produce rental housing for poor
tended to examine the report and hold
states according to their specific hous-
people, and by almost any measure it
hearings next year, with a view toward
ing needs, free of interference from
has been wildly successful.
relenting on this year's decision. Still,
Washington." It is successful, the let-
Since its inception in 1986, the Low
a spokesman acknowledged, the com-
ter continued, "because it is market-
Income Housing Tax Credit has been
mittee has computed the savings for
driven." There is little doubt, the let-
used by private investors to build or
seven years as if the program were
ter said, "that a sunset of this program
renovate nearly 740,000 housing units
dead as of Dec. 31, 1997.
is tantamount to killing it."
nationwide. In 1995 it will help con-
The housing credit grants a 10-year
Without agreement by the Senate
struct about 110,000 units, well over
tax credit to corporations and individu-
and House, the ultimate fate of the
90 percent of new low-income hous-
als who invest in housing designed to
housing credit will be decided when
ing.
serve families with incomes below 60
the two chambers meet in conference
On Sept. 19, however, the House
percent of the area median.
on reconciliation bills.
Ways and Means Committee on a par-
Until now the federal government
Low-income housing advocates are
ty-line vote, approved a proposal by
has allocated about $300 million in
heartened by the Senate support, par-
Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-
credits to the states each year. This
ticularly since the housing credit "dis-
Tex.) to terminate the housing credit
money has enabled housing providers
plays a lot of the attributes that the
by the end of 1997.
to leverage about $12 billion in direct
new [Republican] majority would want
The measure will be included in the
private investment.
to see," said Paul Grogan, president of
House version of the reconciliation bill
In the Senate, reconciliation so far
the non-profit Local Initiatives Support
destined for floor debate next week.
has left the housing credit untouched
Corp., which uses the credit to pro-
"Sunsetting" the tax credit is expected
and 44 senators, among them 14 Re
mote partnerships between business
to save the federal government $3.5
publicans, have registered dismay a
and community housing providers.
billion over the next seven years.
the House action. A Sept. 27 letter
"But we're scared to death."
The New York Times
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1995
Some See a Neighborhood's Slow Rebirth
Stunted by Politics
By FRANCIS X. CLINES
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 - A mere
"The people doing
mile north of the Capitol, up in the
Shaw neighborhood's poverty ghetto,
the Rev. Jim Dickerson wonders
away with these
aloud about politicians' enviable
power to find certainty in fresh hy-
programs have
perbole.
"They're locked in an ideological
never been here.'
battle that's out of touch with the
reality down here on the streets,"
said Mr. Dickerson, a local pastor as
apartments a year, more than 90
steeped in the intricate problems of
percent of the nation's new low-in-
the poor as any downtown profes-
come housing.
sional is in the arcana of special-
"Amazing," said Mr. Dickerson,
interest lobbying.
speaking not of the program's re-
Mr. Dickerson, whose scorn of
sults but of the fact that it has just
welfare dependence is visceral,
been threatened in the dramatic
started organizing the poor 35 years
swoop of general cutbacks. in pro-
ago as a Christian minister, when
grams for the poor that is moving
the cliché was "the war on poverty"
rapidly through both houses of Con-
and politicians backed it big. Now,
gress. The housing tax credit and a
still in the same rough neighborhood,
companion program that requires
he has survived long enough to see
banks to take part in urban renewal
the latest Congress delivering on the
by extending mortgage loans in low-
"Gingrich revolution" of multiple
income neighborhoods are on the
cutbacks for the poor. It disheartens
budget-cutting block. In their vulner-
him not for the motive so much as
ability, they are largely overlooked
the lawmakers' scant Interest in ac-
in the more melodramatic debate
tually looking into the good effects of
over unwed mothers on welfare and
the old, suddenly dying social strat-
the passion to end traditional Fed-
egy.
eral guarantees of minimal help to
"The people doing away with
the poor.
these programs have never been
"The politicians have never seen
here, never seen the work the money
the people positively affected by this,
has done," said Mr. Dickerson,
the community transformed," Mr.
standing in the lobby of the Whitelaw
Dickerson continued, his voice echo-
Hotel, an exemplar of the Shaw
ing in the restored lobby of the
neighborhood's slow, steady attempt
Whitelaw, a landmark in the city's
to rise from the ashes of the 1968
black history. "If they did, they
urban riots.
could not in any good conscience
The Whitelaw was built by pioneer
take this away."
black entrepreneurs at the turn of
Like community development pro-
the century and gutted by poverty
fessionals in poor neighborhoods
and drugs, crime and fire in the
across the United States, from large
modern crisis of the citles. But it
renewed swaths of the South Bronx
stands handsomely renewed now
to Shaw's wobbly resurrection here,
and occupied for the last three years
Mr. Dickerson was speaking in open
by 35 welfare-free, working-poor
despair at the notion that the low-
families. Their arrival upward was
Income housing tax credit program
made possible through a Federal
has few defenders, either in Con-
community development program
gress or in the embattled Federal
that allows tax credits to private-
bureaucracy, since it is rooted too
sector developers in building 110,000
locally, too undramatically.
Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
A Federal program that encourages the develop-
the last three years, 35 welfare-free, working-poor
ment of low-income housing faces elimination as
families have lived at the Whitelaw Hotel, a Wash-
part of Congressional budget-cutting proposals. For
ington, D.C., building renovated under the program.
"The poor are going to get a huge
era of overly generous Federal tax
"This program is the engine that has
pay cut this year, and its going to
shelters open to large-scale corrup-
allowed a great deal of neighborhood
come in a variety of forms," noted
tion. They want to "sunset" the pro-
stabilization to occur."
Paul S. Grogan, president of the Lo-
gram with a tentative closing two
Up in Shaw, Mr. Dickerson is des-
cal Initiatives Support Coalition, an.
years hence, a device community
perately Inviting any and all law-
intermediary group that helps chan-
development professionals say
makers to come and see the White-!
nel expertise and resources to non-
might help the new Congress find
law before voting the sunset of the
profit community development
budget savings on paper but would
sponsors in impoverished areas.
instantly freeze construction of all
program. No one is more opposed
to the dependency system than the
"But we don't have enough good
new low-income housing in the na-
families in the Whitelaw," he said,
programs to part with this one;
tion.
that's the insanity of it," he said,
"The change will be dramatic and
expressing wonder at how sweeping
and indiscriminate politicians can be
describing the move against devel-
it will be stark," said Mr. Grogan,
opers' housing tax credit as an act of
drawing a contrast with welfare cut-
in delivering on promises of change.
"carnage."
backs whose effects might prove
"They're Isolated," he said of
Critics in Congress insist the cred-
less discernible than a sudden stop In
those politicians. "They're encapsu-
it program is a hangover from the
low-income housing construction.
lated."
Chicago Tribune
FOUNDED JUNE 10. 1847
JACK FULLER, Publisher
HOWARD A. TYNER, Editor
N. DON WYCLIFE, Editorial Page Editor
ANN MARIE LIPINSKI, Managing Editor/News
OWEN YOUNGMAN, Managing Editor/Features
F. RICHARD CICCONE. Associate Editor
Real Estate
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1995
But these figures only tell half the story.
Will housing
Because the credits are often used to
completely make over radically run-down
apartment buildings that drag down city
blocks and entire communities, they have
incentive get
become essential to efforts at neighbor-
hood turnaround as well
The program has been such a success
just credit?
that in 1993 Congress made it permanent,
meaning that it didn't have to come up
for periodic review. But budget-slashing
House Republicans have voted to "sunset"
By J. Linn Allen
the program at the end of 1997, meaning
TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
it would have to be reauthorized at that
time.
rom Uptown to the West Side,
The provision is in the House budget
F
from Woodlawn to Edgewater,
bill that has gone to a House-Senate
community groups continually
conference to be reconciled with the
point to one federal program as
Senate budget bill, which doesn't include
crucial to revitalizing neighbor-
the "sunsetting" language. The joint
hoods plagued by abandoned or blighted
budget bill, expected around Thanksgiv-
buildings that, besides being eyesores,
ing, also faces a possible veto from
often are a magnet for drug pushers,
President Clinton.
gangs and prostitutes.
Whatever happens, the prospect or an
The program is the low-income housing
interruption of the credits has chilled
tax credit, a mechanism that allows cor-
community groups who have come to
porations and individuals to get 10 years
depend on the program.
of tax credits when they invest in low-
"We take the worst building in an area
income housing.
and renovate it and gut rehab it," said
The credits, which are administered by
Jean Butzen, director of Lakefront SRO,
states and big cities, are available for
which specializes in providing housing for
units that must be kept at restricted rents
the homeless.
for a minimum of 15 years. Tenant
She pointed to the 5000 block of Win-
income limits are set at varying levels
throp Avenue in Uptown as a haunt of
below the median for a given area.
prostitutes and pushers and the site of
Since they were introduced in 1987 the
frequent violence before the group
credits have constituted virtually the only
rehabbed three buildings with 300 housing
federal program supporting low-income
units on the block.
housing, generating about 750,000 housing
"Due in large part to our efforts, an
units around the country since then.
entire block was completely turned
Nearly 23,000 units have been developed
around," she said.
through credits allocated through the
Credits provided a third of the capital
Illinois Housing Development Author-
and helped leverage the rest, Butzen said.
ity-some of those in Chicago-and
"If there were no tax credits, Lakefront
another 10,000 through the Chicago
SRO wouldn't exist," she said. "We would
Department of Housing.
never develop another unit of housing."
The importance of these additions is
The Rev. Richard Tolliver, rector of St.
underlined when it is taken into account
Edmund's Church at 6105 S. Michigan
that about 69,000 housing units were lost
Ave., in the South Side's Washington Park
in the city from 1987 through 1991,
neighborhood, said the area around the
according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
church was "basically a wasteland"
characterized by vacant lots and boarded-
up buildings when he arrived in 1989.
Congregants who had moved out returned
only on Sundays.
With tax credits he has been able,
Some private developers also
starting in 1992, to renovate five buildings
make a specialty of working with
with 68 units for a total of $8.2 million
the credits.
and has submitted an application to rehab
"It's one of the few programs
67 more units next year.
out there for housing that has
The renovations, done through the St.
worked extremely well to accom-
Edmund's Redevelopment Corp., have
plish its goals," said Bruce
created a "palpable sense of hope" in the
Abrams, president of LR Develop-
community, he said.
ment, which redevelops both
Tolliver said one woman who lost her
affordable and top-end multifam-
property insurance because she lived next
ily housing.
to an abandoned building had it restored
He said his company rehabbed
when the group pledged the building
two of the worst buildings on the
would be renovated, and the woman
North Side, including one on
began to fix up her property.
Ridge Avenue near Senn High
The landlady of an apartment building
School in which 50 or 60 tenants,
also began to do repairs after St.
mostly drug dealers, had to be
Edmund's worked on another empty
evicted.
building next to hers.
"It wouldn't have been done if
"She felt her investment was restored
not for credits," he said.
in her own property," Tolliver said.
Abrams said the problem of
He said using conventional financing
sunsetting the program in 1997,
even if it is reauthorized, is that
for the projects-in the unlikely
developers won't be able to plan
event it could be obtained for rav-
ahead and hire or keep on experi-
aged buildings in ravaged neigh-
borhoods-would drive up costs
enced staff to work on what are
SQ high that rents would have to
almost always very complicated
be raised beyond the means of
projects-especially from a finan-
local residents. Maximum
cial standpoint.
monthly rents for 4-bedroom
The backers of sunsetting say
apartments in the buildings he
there have been reports of fraud
has revived are in the mid-$500s,
and abuse in the program and the
he said.
best way to keep an eye on irregu-
"If tax credits were not avail-
larities is to force its reauthoriza-
able we couldn't do this," he said.
tion every few years.
"In Chicago it's the only way to
One draft study by the Internal
redevelop inner-city neighbor-
Revenue Service, which is respon-
hoods. If it closed down you
sible for checking up on the $3
would watch further deteriora-
billion in credits claimed each
tion."
year, said improperly claimed
He added that St. Edmund's
credits could total $600 million a
Redevelopment Corp. would go
year. That estimate, however, has
out of business, which would
been attacked by advocates of the
probably mean that even those
program as "fantasy" based on
buildings already rehabbed would
scanty and inaccurate research.
deteriorate again, because their
Occasionally cases of fraud or
management would have to be
abuse have been documented. A
turned over to a private firm that
probe of the Chicago Department
would take a less personal inter-
of Housing in the late 1980s
est in them.
showed credits were given where
About 30 percent of the credits
they weren't needed and for non-
go directly to non-profit develop-
low-income projects.
ers such as St. Edmund's and
Rep. Bill Archer (R.-Texas),
Lakefront SRO, and a big chunk
chairman of the House Ways and
goes to private developers work-
Means Committee, where the sun-
ing with local non-profit groups.
setting provision originated, has
This feature of the program is
requested a report be made by the
important in two ways. For one
General Accounting Office on pos-
thing, the development is often
sible irregularities.
done by people who have a long-
A spokesman for Archer said
term stake in the neighborhood
bringing the program up for
and are involved with other com-
review again would allow the
munity development activities
GAO report to be assessed and
that can be dovetailed with hous-
ing renovation and management.
For another, community residents
often get important work experi-
ence doing the projects.
St.Edmunds Square I
25
Photo for the Tribune by Karen Kring
Rev. Richard Tolliver, in front of one of the project his church has rehabbed using low-income housing
tax credits. "In Chicago, it's the only way to redevelop inner-city neighborhoods," he said.
could in itself have a "chilling
One small, single-family devel-
effect" on fraud and abuse.
opment of houses costing about
But beneficiaries of the pro-
$150,000 has been built near the
gram fear disruptions like those
University of Chicago campus,
that occurred in the early 1990s,
which includes a strip along
when reauthorization got snagged
Woodlawn's border with Hyde
in political squabbling, throwing
Park, and they are selling well,
financing into turmoil, choking
Knight said.
off development and creating
"But it wouldn't have been built
costly delays. The program was
if we couldn't have rehabbed the
made permanent to avoid repeat-
multifamily building sitting
ing those problems.
across the street or across the
Abrams said it would be more
alley," he added. "Those buyers
appropriate to investigate cases of
have the choice to move to the
abuse but increase the level of
suburbs rather than on a block
credits, because they go along
that's blighted."
with the Republican policy of
Those homes and others being
transferring control to state and
built in the Kenwood-Oakland
local hands and letting private
neighborhood north of Hyde Park
and non-profit developers do the
are seen as crucial to the long-
work rather than having the gov-
term preservation of Hyde Park
ernment provide housing.
itself-perhaps the city's most
One of the neighborhoods in
solid, prosperous, integrated
which credits have been used
neighborhood.
extensively has been South Side
"These neighborhoods north
Woodlawn, where hundreds of
and south of Hyde Park have suf-
units have been renovated
fered through 40 years of disin-
through the Woodlawn Preserva-
vestment, and are being recreated
tion Investment Corp., a non-
as economically integrated neigh-
profit group.
borhoods," said Jonathan Klein-
Victor Knight, chairman, said
bard, University of Chicago vice
Woodlawn has lost more than half
president for community affairs.
its population and much of its
"It's a sea change in urban life,"
housing stock in the last 20 years,
he said, "and up until now, it
but the vacant lots that remain
couldn't have gone forward with-
can't be used for new housing
out tax credits, because no one
until the existing apartment build-
will invest next to a blighted
ings are fixed up.
building."
THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1995
PERSPECTIVES
The Ax Is Poised on Low-Income Housing Efforts
In New York City, loss
of tax-credit financing
would be a sharp blow.
By ALAN S. OSER
NTO the great kettle of alphabet soup in
which the designations of New York City
housing programs swim, the Giuliani ad-
ministration, early on, ladled the letters
N.E.P.
They stand for Neighborhood Entrepre-
neurs Program. The idea behind this new
program was that about half the occupied
tax-foreclosed housing units that remain un-
der centralized city management would be
rehabilitated at city expense and put in the
hands of small local businesspeople to own
ând manage over a 10-year period.
t
Potentially about 3,000 buildings with
28,000 low-rent apartments in Harlem, Bed-
ford-Stuyvesant, the South Bronx and other
locations with large low-income populations
could go in this direction. So far new owners
have been chosen for 110 buildings with
about 1,000 apartments. Closings, and subse-
quent rehabilitations with tenants in place,
are imminent. The new owners have al-
feady started acting as building managers.
It has not been a universally popular ap-
proach to rehabilitation in housing circles,
but Deborah C. Wright, the commissioner of
the Department of Housing Preservation
and Development, is gratified. "The tenants
Photographs by Don Hogan Charles/The New York Times
are ecstatic about having a live person to
call about building problems," she said, as if
answering those who worry that low-income
tenants will be poorly served by private
owners.
The critics should more appropriately
invest in low-income housing. Each state
worry about the future of housing produc-
gets an annual allocation of credits - $1.25
tion for low-income tenants at all. The
per capita. New York State's allocation for
Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Program is
1995 is $22.6 million, which commits the Fed-
merely one of several approaches to re-
eral Government to forgoing $226 million in
habilitating blighted tax-foreclosed prop-
taxes over 10 years.
erty. An increasing number of them depend
New York State has been able to generate
on the Federal tax credit for low-income
30,000 units in about 700 new and substan-
housing, currently threatened in Congress.
tially rehabilitated developments under this
Under a tax bill passed by the House of Rep-
program since it began in 1987, the state's
resentatives, it would be phased out over
Division of Housing and Community Re-
(wo years.
newal says. Of that total, 19,000 units are in
In New York City, the uses to which the
New York City.
Federal program has been put extend even
According to Joseph Holland, commis-
to new construction in strong market areas
sioner of housing and community develop-
such as the West Side of Manhattan. It has
ment, the loss of the tax credit would be a
become an ingredient in attracting the equi-
devastating blow to efforts to provide af-
ty that developers apply to mixed-income
fordable housing. It is being used increas-
rentals that receive tax-exempt bond fi-
ingly to finance these efforts, he said.
nancing. In these "80-20" projects 20 per-
cent of the tenants must be low-income -
that is, household income must be below 50
T
HE Federal program began in 1987 and
New York State has received $208 mil-
percent of the median income in the area. In
lion in allocable credit through 1995.
most locations, market rents are still not
Cumulatively, the Federal Government has
high enough to attract either equity or debt
thus committed itself to forgoing $2 billion
financing without public assistance, special-
in taxes to assist the production of low-in-
ists in housing finance say.
come housing in the state.
But for the most part It has been used
Under the tax-credit program, the city
flexibly in low-income neighborhoods, either
hopes to rehabil:tate and divest itself of an
to supply the equity needed to generate con-
average of 2,500 housing units a year over
struction or to finance operating costs or so-
the next 10 years, Ms. Wright said. That
Mark S. Alexander, director of Hope Community
cial services for tenants. Its flexibility has
would enable it to use Federal community
been one of its charms in the housing world.
Inc., a nonprofit community-based housing or-
From the standpoint of housing producers,
development grants for housing production
ganization, which will run walk-ups being rebuilt
there is a minimum of bureaucracy in-
Instead of housing management, an ineffi-
volved in putting the money to work.
cient use of Federal money.
on East 104th Street, including No. 164, above,
It also has the effect of giving the private
"Without the tax credits we're out of busi-
and No. 157, with scaffolding, left. Use of the Fed-
sector a stake in the longterm viability of
ness," Commissioner Wright said.
eral tax-credit program will keep rents low.
housing and neighborhoods, and corporate
The Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Pro-
America a stake in improving conditions in
gram shows the use of the money as an op-
poor urban areas. Since the tax benefit can
erating subsidy. The city will pay for the re-
be lost if the housing fails, investors exer-
habilitation from capital funds, at an antici-
cise oversight of operations for many years
pated per-unit cost averaging $60,000. The
through intermediaries like the Local Initia-
building would pay neither debt service nor
tives Support Corporation (LISC), the En-
taxes, but tenants' income is so low that
terprise Foundation, two nonprofit syndica-
their rent cannot even cover operating ex-
tors, and The Related Companies.
penses. These are calculated at $5,400 a year
Another effect of the tax credit system in
($450 a month), compared with rental in-
New York City is that it has propped up
come averaging $226 a month. The tax-cred-
property values in the private sector. Non-
it subsidy makes up the difference.
profit developers with a state funding com-
Without the credits, new construction for
mitment have been able to pay prices for old
lower-income tenants also would wind down.
Manhattan hotels, for example, that the pri-
In Brooklyn, the St. Nicholas Neighborhood
vate market would not pay. Without subsi-
Preservation Corporation has produced
dies, prices would fall to a level where a pri-
about 1,200 units of housing in the Williams-
vate entrepreneur would eventually buy.
Under the tax credit program, corpora-
tions and other large investors can in effect
earn a 15 percent return, through savings on
burg and Greenpoint sections of Brooklyn
over the last 12 years. Currently it is a part-
ner of Los Suros, another nonprofit develop-
er, in a 48-unit new-construction project at
Throop Avenue and Whipple Street in
Brooklyn.
"Everything we've done in the last four or
five years requires tax-credit financing,"
said Michael Rochford, director of the St.
Nicholas corporation. In this case, a third of
equity required for construction will get tax
credits from the state for syndication; the
rest comes from a state-city capital pool.
Sparrow Construction is doing the construc-
tion on a turnkey basis, that is, upon comple-
tion title will be taken by a company formed
by the sponsors.
The tenancy will be half low-income work-
ing people and half "homeless" - many
probably consisting of families displaced by
site consolidation for new-home construc-
tion on former Pfizer Corporation land near-
by.
In East Harlem, Hope Community Inc., a
nonprofit community-based housing organi-
zation, is using the program with state mon-
ey to rehabilitate three buildings on East
104th Street. "We bought the buildings a few
years ago from a private owner and we've
held them till we could find the right pro-
gram to finance the work," said Mark S. AI-
exander, director of Hope Community.
And in Riverdale, Jeffrey E. Levine, a
builder and contractor based in Douglaston,
L.I., is relying on tax-credit financing to
build a mixed-income 170-unit 18-story
building on land he has assembled on the
east side of the Henry Hudson Parkway
south of Johnson Avenue.
"If it were a straight market-rate project
I wouldn't be able to get the financing for
it," he said.
A12 TUESDAY. OCTOBER 31. 1995
THE WASHINGTON
The Washington Post
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
Two Bad Ideas
HE ENORMOUS budget-balancing bills
T
true that revenues would go up. But organized
that the House and Senate passed last
labor, the Clinton administration and such groups
week each contain some corporate tax
as the American Academy of Actuaries have
increases. Two in the House version of the bill
warned that the soundness of a significant num-
are bad ideas and ought to be dropped in the
ber of pension funds could well be threatened in
conference that now begins.
the process. They note that the value of pension
One would make it easier for corporations to
fund assets are volatile; they go up when the
remove supposedly excess funds from their pen-
stock and other securities markets are strong but
sion reserves and use the money for other
can just as easily turn down again. It's hard to
purposes. Though it would result in some in-
know exactly where to draw the danger line in a
creased tax payments, it is less a tax increase
than a benefit that corporations actively
matter such as this, but it's easy to know on
sought-and that critics say would leave' the
which side to err. The Senate last Friday wisely
decided to err on the side of caution and knocked
affected pension funds in weakened condition.
The other would phase out a low-income hous-
a similar pension provision out of its bill by a vote
ing tax credit meant to induce corporations to
of 94 to 5.
invest in such housing in return for somewhat
The phase-out of the housing credit was never
lower taxes. Again, it is hardly the corporations
in the Senate bill. The credit is one of the few
that would be the primary losers were it to
remaining devices for adding to the stock of
disappear.
low-income housing in the country. The subsi-
Republicans have pointed to the corporate tax
dized housing programs on the spending side of
increases-they prefer to call them adjustments
the budget are being cut back, if not shut down,
or reforms-as evidence that theirs is an even-
even as the need for such housing continues to
handed budget in which they squeeze their own
grow.
traditional constituencies and not just those of
The credit is probably not the most efficient
the other side. But "corporate tax increases," the
way to produce the housing, but it has been a
principal burdens of which would likely fall on
steady source of added supply at relatively mod-
retired workers and lower-income renters, prove
est cost, and it would seem to be the perfect
nothing of the kind.
Current law imposes a prohibitive penalty in
Republican program in that the housing would be
addition to the corporate income tax on with-
provided mainly through private initiative.
drawais of supposedly excess amounts from pen-
The House bill would use the proceeds from
sion funds unless the money is used to help pay
both these corporate "tax increases" mainly to
retiree health benefits. The House bill would
finance the extension of other corporate tax
greatly reduce the penalty and in effect ease the
breaks. For the corporate sector as a whole,
definition of excess while permitting withdrawals
they're a wash, while in social terms they would
for any purpose an employer wished.
leave the budget more lopsided, not less. On
Billions would likely be withdrawn, and since
these two issues, present law should be pre-
the withdrawals would still be subject to tax, it's
served.
Chicago Tribune
FOUNDED JUNE 10, 1847
JACK FULLER. Publisher
HOWARD A. TYNER, Editor
N. DON WYCLIFF, Editorial Page Editor ANN MARIE LIPINSKI, Managing Editor/News OWEN YOUNGMAN, Managing Editor/Features
R. BRUCE DOLD, Deputy Editorial Page Editor F. RICHARD CICCONE, Associate Editor
20
Section 1
Saturday; September 23, 1995
Save the housing tax credit
As populist catch-phrases go, few expressions get
other federal housing program comes close to that
the adrenaline pumping as much as "corporate wel-
level of efficiency.
fare."
Moreover, the credit actually produces a net gain in
Americans tend to distrust bigness, and a lot of
tax revenues if one counts the payroll taxes of the
taxpayers are prepared to believe that huge, faceless
construction workers and the property taxes that the
corporations are somehow getting the better of the
new housing generates for local governments.
cloutless under the federal tax system. The paranoia
was recently stoked by U.S. Labor Secretary Robert
Little wonder, then, that rock-ribbed Republicans
Reich, who pushed the "corporate welfare" button in
such as Illinois' Gov. Jim Edgar are firing off letters
challenging Republicans to spread evenly the pain of
to Rep. Archer reminding him that: (1) the housing
balancing the federal budget.
tax credit has been a huge success in their states, and
Now comes someone who should know better-Rep.
(2) by recruiting the private sector to tackle the
Bill Archer (R-Texas), the pro-business chairman of
affordable housing problem, the credit deserves to be
the House Ways and Means Committee-with an even
made the centerpiece of any GOP housing plan, not
more cynical spin on the expression. He wants to
discarded like some big-government holdover of a
éliminate as "corporate welfare" a select few tax
Democratic past.
breaks that were designed to achieve socially desir-
Rep. Archer is said to be irked that his predecessor
able ends, among them the low-income housing tax
as Ways and Means chairman, former Illinois Con-
credit.
gressman Dan Rostenkowski, once favored the hous-
A product of the tax reform of 1986, the credit has
ing credit over the Texan's favorite corporate tax
become the keystone of the complex formula by which
incentive, the credit for scientific research and devel-
low-rent housing is financed and built. It allows cor-
opment.
porations and/or private investors with a federal tax
But the chairmanship of one of Washington's most
liability to lessen their tax bills by investing in the
powerful congressional committees is no place for
construction or rehabilitation of privately owned
"payback" politics. Nor is the low-income housing tax
housing for the poor. Since its inception the tax credit
credit an example of "corporate welfare." The tax
has spurred the production of 750,000 housing units at
credit is an example of a program that works, and as
an average annual per-unit cost of only $1,333. No
such, it ought to be retained.
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The New York Times
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EDITORIALS/LETTERS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1995
G.O.P. Attack on Low-Income Housing
The Republican leadership has found a new
provide money to nonprofit groups for construction
way to pummel the poor: Cut programs that benefit
or rehabilitation of low-income housing.
them in the name of eliminating "corporate wel-
The credit, which will cost the Treasury about
fare." Embarrassed by accusations that the party's
$3 billion a year at its peak, has led to construction
budget victimized the disadvantaged, Representa-
of more than 100,000 housing units a year, or more
tive Bill Archer, chairman of the House tax-writing
than 90 percent of all low-income housing built in the
committee, pledged to go after corporations as well.
country. The credit has financed about 4,000 housing
So his committee passed a closing of tax loopholes
units in New York State a year, 1,000 of them in New
that, he says, subsidize rich corporations.
York City. Entire blocks of the South Bronx and
His list of loopholes does include needless hand-
other blighted neighborhoods have been taken back
outs to poultry farms and Hollywood studios. But it
from addicts and gangs with money provided
also includes a subsidy that has created most of the
through the tax credit.
country's low-cost housing in recent years. Mr.
For a Congress that refuses to help urban
Archer would eliminate the low-income-housing tax
ghettos directly, the tax credit is the only urban
credit, a provision first passed in 1986. The credit
policy around. Yet Mr. Archer gallingly says the
goes to investors - mostly corporations - that
credit is a needless giveaway to corporations.
Cl'ca
Titune
FOUNDED JUNE 10. 1847
JACK FULLER, Publisher
HOWARD
A.
TYNER,
Editor
N. DON WYCLIFF, Editorial Page Editor
ANN MARIE LIPINSKI, Managing Editor/News
OWEN YOUNGMAN, Managing Editor/Features
F. RICHARD CICCONE, Associate Editor
Wednesday, September 20, 1995
many upper-income earners would pay less and
the income gap between rich and poor children
would grow, according to an analysis by the
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) noted in introducing
Clarence Page
the bill that it differed from the House version only
in one respect: It would not be limited to families
with incomes of no more than $250,000.
As a result, the poorest 40 percent of American
children, most of whom live in families that are
not on welfare. would receive only 3.4 percent of
the benefit from the credit and the poorest third of
children-who number 24 million-would receive
no credit at all. according to Robert Greenstein, the
center's director and head of President Carter's
poverty programs.
Congress turns
On the other hand. the 40 percent of children in
the uppermost income brackets would receive 65
percent of the benefits, he said, and about a third
a blind eye
of the benefits would go to the richest fifth.
But the tinkering with the EITC is modest
compared to the execution conservative
Republicans are trying to schedule for the Low
to nation's needy
Income Housing Tax Credit. Successful efforts by
last year's Democrat-dominated Congress to make
it a permanent budget line item may all be for
naught.
ASHINGTON-Washington's war on
Instead of giving housing contractors a handout,
W
the poor and powerless proceeded
the housing credit provides incentives for builders
apace.
to-do what they like to do, which is build houses,
Is that too harsh? You be the judge.
for people they otherwise would not be able to
Take a look at some of the programs
afford to build for.
Congress has put on the chopping block while
Since it began in 1987, it has provided an
most of the nation's attention has been diverted by
incentive for bankers and builders to build
debates over Medicare, bilingual education,
something other than high-priced condominiums
immigration, school prayer and flag burning.
and town houses for high-income yuppies.
Take a look at three of the popular programs
Last year the tax credit was responsible for more
conservative Republicans have targeted for
than 90 percent of the new low-to-moderate income
elimination: the Earned Income Tax Credit, the
housing built.
Law Income Housing Tax Credit and the
It produced an estimated $12 billion in private
Community Relations Service in the civil rights
investment, including 114,000 units in 1994 that
division of the Justice Department.
generated more than 98,000 jobs, $3.1 billion in
Few Americans walk around with the words
wages and $1.5 billion in tax revenues.
"Earned Income Tax Credit" on the tips of their
Then there is the Community Relations Service
tongues, yet about 35 percent of all Americans
of the Justice Department, a tiny 120-person, $10
benefit from this tax break because of low income.
million agency that has helped defuse racial
Enacted in 1975, it provides a tax credit of 7 to 40
tensions in towns across the country ever since its
cents on every dollar earned for those who have an
creation by the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
It is curious that conservatives would go after
income low enough to qualify
this agency at this time, unless it is simply another
Designed to give incentives for adults with
step in rolling back the civil rights gains of the
children to work instead of relying on welfare,
1960s.
both liberals and supply-side conservatives like it.
Roger Wilkins, a history professor at Virginia's
A Republican president, Gerald Ford, enacted it
George Mason University who headed the agency
and two others, Ronald Reagan and George Bush,
in the mid-1960s, called it "foolish to eliminate
expanded it in 1986 and 1990. So did President
CRS, which is one of the few [agencies] in the
Chriton in 1993.
federal government that really understands police-
Under the 1996 benefit schedule, the credit would
community relations, at a time when the extent of
the voters will fix that next year.
lift about 4.5 million Americans above the poverty
police malfeasance and excess from Mark
line, according to the Urban Institute.
Fuhrman to New Orleans to Philadelphia to New
Leaders of the new Republican Congress have
York City is really becoming apparent."
proposed a child tax credit to make up the
If any of these agencies or programs is not
difference. But under Republican proposals to
This Congress has its priorities reversed. Maybe
answer: Fix it, don't nix it.
working as well as it should, there is a proper
Powell has been talking about lately? Could be.
for "K Street lobbyists" that retired Gen. Colin
corporations. Is this the sort of "corporate welfare
research-and-development subsidies for private
housing tax credit want to channel its funds to
Instead of reducing the deficit, critics of the
reduce the EITC, expand Individual Retirement
Accounts and enact a $500 child tax credit, millions
of low-income families would pay more taxes,
Chicago Tribune
FOUNDED JUNE 10, 1847
JACK FULLER, Publisher HOWARD A. TYNER, Editor
N. DON WYCLIFE Editonal Page Editor ANN MARIE LIPINSKI, Managing Editor/News OWEN YOUNGMAN, Managing Editor/Features
R. BRUCE DOLD. Deputy Editorial Page Editor F. RICHARD CICCONE, Associate Editor
30
Section 1
Thursday, September 21. 1995
A myopic assault on a tax credit
Tired of Democratic charges that they're pandering
dren. goes only to people who work and requires no
to Corporate America and balancing the budget on
government bureaucracy beyond the Internal Reve-
the backs of the poor, House Republicans tried to find
nue Service. it has received strong bipartisan support
some political cover Tuesday by voting to end billions
over the years as an efficient way of targeting aid to
of dollars in business tax breaks.
the poor and encouraging work and family formation.
"Every American who pays taxes, everyone who
Yet Republicans now contend that the program is
lives in Peoria asks. 'Why don't the big boys give to
America's fastest-growing entitlement and is beset
deficit reduction?" said House Budget Chairman
with fraud by taxpayers who falsely claim dependents
John Kasich of Ohio. "Well, they're going to give."
to qualify.
Corporations should contribute, but this smoke-
screen is so flimsy and transparent as to be damaging
Rather than simply curb the abuse, House Republi-
rather than helpful to the GOP.
cans would slash spending by lowering the maximum
As part of the Republican pledge to balance the
Income levels for eligibility, eliminating benefits for
budget and provide $245 billion of tax cuts. the House
childless workers and requiring Social Security and
ways and Means Committee passed a package of
other outside income to be reported.
measures aimed at raising nearly $39 billion in new
As a result, the Treasury estimates 9 million house-
revenue over seven years.
holds would receive reduced payments, 4 million
Most of that-about $23 billion-will come out of
workers without children would be dropped and
the pockets of the working poor because of cuts in the
another million families declared ineligible because of
Earned-Income Tax Credit.
the lower income cutoff. Proposed cuts by Senate
First proposed by President Nixon, enacted under
Republicans go even deeper.
President Ford and expanded by Presidents Reagan,
A $30 billion increase in corporate taxes isn't
Bush and Clinton, the earned-income credit supple-
chump change, but it's minuscule when compared
ments the incomes of full-time breadwinners whose
with the total Republican spending cuts in Medicaid,
wages still fall only near or below the poverty level
welfare and other programs for the poor. There's no
Because the credit is greater for families with chil-
cover here. and the folks in Peoria will know it
Chicago Tribune
FOUNDED JUNE 10. 184:
JACK FULLER, Publisher
HOWARD A. TYNER. Editor
N. DON WYCLIFE Editoral Page Editor
Avv MAP.LE LIPINSEL Managing Editor/News
OWIN YOUNGMAN, Managing Editor:Features
F. RICHARD CICCONE. Associate Editor
Thursday. September 21, 1005
Chicago
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 1995
Despite Edgar's support,
housing tax credit in peril
By Flynn McRoberts
day marking the start of the lat-
TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
est such project-a $35 million.
20-story apartment buüding for
TP seems an unlikely target in
seniors under construction on
a Congress controlled by Re-
the Near North Side.
publicans: a tax credit used by
corporations that is the darling
"Without the tax credit, they
of some of the nation's most
wouldn't have been able to do
prominent GOP governors, in.
this project probably," Edgar
cluding Jim Edgar of Illinois.
said after a ground-breaking
ceremony for Maple Pointe.
But in the name of budget-cut-
which will get the largest tax
ting. a key House committee this
credit allocation in the history
week passed a proposal to elimi-
of the Illinois Housing Develop-
nate the low-income housing tax
ment Authority.
credit. which for nearly a dec-
ade has been the chief tool for
Edgar and Mayor Richard
building affordable rental hous-
Daley joined other big-city
ing in America.
mayors and governors last week
The credit has helped finance
in an effort to persuade the
more than 90 percent of the af-
House Ways and Means Com-
fordable apartments built in the
mittee to dump the provision.
U.S. since it became available in
Edgar wrote to U.S. Rep. Phil
1987, including nearly 30,000
Cranc (R-III.) and hailed the
units in Illinois.
"market-oriented" tax credit as
Edgar led a ceremony Wednes-
SEE HOUSINC, PACE 7
"a program that has many core
The IRS says it can't yet esti-
Republican principles." with "little
mate the amount of improper
or no involvement of the federal
claims. To find out just how much
bureaucracy."
abuse is in the program. Archer
Their persuasion didn't work.
has commissioned the General Ac-
On a 22-15 party-line vote Tues-
counting Office to study it and re-
day, the committee proposed end-
port back next year.
ing the program after 1997.
The credit offers corporations
Believing the battle is lost in the
and individuals a dollar-for-dollar
House. the tax credit's backers are
reduction in federal tax liability
hoping support from Edgar and
for 10 years.
other Republican governors will
Chicago community develop-
help them stop the proposal in the
ment corporations have been
Senate.
among the nation's most active in
Edgar was less effusive in his
using it to develop affordable
praise ot the program on Wednes-
housing
day, noting that Ways and Means
From 1987 through 1994, the Chi-
Committee Chairman Bill Archer
cago-based National Equity Fund
(R-Texas) has alleged there is tax-
has invested $54.6 million through
credit fraud in 20 states. But he
the tax credits to help build 1,400
said Illinois' program is clean.
units across the city.
,"They can look is Illinois and
The city Department of Housing
see that you can make this pro-
has awarded nearly $34 million in
gram work," Edgar said. "And
tax credits through 1995, assisting
hopefuliv vou reform the program.
about 1,000 units a year of low
you don't eliminate it."
and moderate-income housing.
Created under the 1986 Tax Re-
- The tax credit has been fun-
form Act, the tax credit has be-
damental in our efforts to turn the
come popular with corporations
neighborhood around," said Rev.
as a way to invest in poor
Richard Tolliver, whose SL.
neighborhoods and not lose
Edmund's Redevelopment Corp.
money.
has used the credit to rehab 68
Nationwide, the program helps
units on the South Side. The
create more than 100,000 afforda-
group has acquired 67 more units.
ble apartments 1 year. Though
Without tax credits, "we're
sizable, that still barely makes up
stuck with those buildings." Tol-
for !ow-rent buildings that are de-
liver said. "And they will remain
molished, abandoned or converted
boarded up."
to market-rate use. experts say.
Brenner predicted that "this
But critics of the program con-
credit will not go away" and that
tend that it has been misused.
it-will simply be modified with
Archer believes the credit "does
GAO recommendations.
not benefit the people it's sup-
"But affordable-housing advo-
posed to, mainly the poor. And
cates see little chance of restoring
there's too much fraud and abuse
money for the credit if the current
in the program," said Scott Bren-
bill is passed
ner, a spokesman for the House
Charles Edson, counsel for the
Ways and Means Committee.
Affordable Housing Tax Credit
Coalition. put it this way: "There
will not be money there [even] if
the GAO found that the program
is run by angels."
RAYMOND A. JANSEN
Publisher, President and C.E.O.
Newsday
ANTHONY MARRO, Editor
STEVEN L. ISENBERG, Deputy Publisher
DONALD FORST, New York Editor
JAMES M. KLURFELD, Editor of Editorial Pages
EDITORIALS
ROBERT F. BRANDT, Managing Editor
CAROL R. RICHARDS, Deputy Editor of Editorial Pages
HOWARD SCHNEIDER, Managing Editor
September 26, 1995
Rescue the Urban Investment Law, Sen. D'Amato
Tomorrow the Senate Banking Committee
why not give the banks a break along the way?
part of their neighborhood "reinvestment."
- run by Alfonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.) - is
Answer: Because decent, hard-working
No sale. D'Amato needs to play the hero
scheduled to consider legislation that could
neighborhoods citywide - like Jamaica,
and rescue this vital program.
gut the Community Reinvestment Act. This is
Queens - will suffer. A redrawn law would
Meanwhile, in other acts of irresponsibility,
the law that requires banks to lend money to
allow banks to lend in the deep-rug districts
the House Ways and Means Committee has
all communities equally - rich or poor, white
and to downplay their obligation to folks of
voted to let the low-income housing tax credit
or black. Cutbacks in government funds have
more modest means. Everyone agrees that
die at the end of 1997. This program gives a tax
already made urban life tough enough. So the
the current act inflicts too much paperwork
credit to businesses that ante up money for
blow landed all the harder when the House
on lenders. That should be corrected. But
nonprofit organizations so they can construct
voted earlier to let private lenders off the hook
Washington must keep pressure on banks to
low-income housing. In the city, it has gener-
when it comes to community reinvestment.
lend money in the less-fancy neighborhoods.
ated 170 projects and 8,200 new homes since
Well, at least the House is consistent. If it's
Opponents say the proposed revisions would
1987. It's a keeper. Finance Committee sena-
relieving the public sector of its civic duties,
let banks count activities like luncheons as
tors, please note: the tax credit needs CPR.
2M
THE HERALD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1995
The Miami Herald
JOHN S. KNIGHT (1894-1981)
JAMES L KNIGHT (1909-1991)
DAVID LAWRENCE JR. Publisher and Chairman
JOE NATOLI
JIM HAMPTON
- DOUGLAS C. CLIFTON
President
Editor
Executive Editor
MARTHA MUSGROVE and TONY PROSCIO
SAUNDRA KEYES
Associate Editors
Managing Editor
Great program - let's kill it
o here's a federal
S
Here's the problem
program that pro-
HOUSING FUNDS FACE AX
in a nutshell: When a
duces 120,000
program isn't a big,
new apartments for
An economical, needed,
bureaucratic extrava-
poor families every
un-bureaucratic program
ganza, when politi-
year, with virtually no
bureaucracy. It relies
creates housing for poor
cians don't get to take
all the credit for what it
almost entirely on the
people. So why is it in
achieves, when there
private sector. And it
gets more than $11
trouble year after year?
are no armies of gov-
emment employees to
worth of housing for
sing its praises in Con-
every government dollar that it spends.
gress, the program is sure to be endan-
Should be a hit in Washington, no?
gered. The politicians evidently don't
Better yet: The program brings an
get it. And frequently, what they don't
above-average share of these dollars into
understand, they kill.
Florida. It builds some 7,000 housing
There may also, admittedly, be some-
units a year here, at a federal cost of just
thing more sinister at work here. While
$4,500 for each new apartment. And
the House considers "zeroing out" the
remember: These are apartments that
housing tax credit, the Senate is taking
must, by law, be rented to poor families
the same approach to the Community
at affordable rates. In a state where such
Reinvestment Act. That's the 1977 law
housing is scarce and the low-income
that requires banks to lend fairly
population is growing, this is vital stuff.
throughout their communities. The act
Ought to be popular in Florida, right?
doesn't impose harsh penalties on
Well, maybe not. Tomorrow the
banks. In fact, it's usually loosely
House Ways and Means Committee -
enforced. But it gives lenders some
where Rep. E. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lau-
incentive, at least, for treating all their
derdale, is an influential member -
potential customers fairly.
may take the first steps toward abolish-
So why would the Senate including
ing the program. Not trimming it, as
Banking Committee member Sen. Con-
everything must be trimmed these days,
nie Mack of Florida want to kill it?
but wiping it out. Zero. Gone.
Paul Grogan, head of a national non-
Must've been some scandal, you
profit community development group,
might suspect. Or maybe the committee
darkly replies: "It's as if Congress has
has an idea for doing the job more eco-
declared war on neighborhoods.
nomically? Nope. As happens nearly
Surely that's too strong. There cer-
every year, this simple, cost-effective
tainly must be a more benign explana-
program landed on the chopping block
tion. Just now, though, we're at a loss for
because few politicians understand it.
what that explanation could be.
INDIANAPOLIS STAR
September 23, 1995
100,000 jobs created
Wrong for Indiana
Tax credits
The House Ways and Means
Rep. Rick Lazio, R-N.Y
Committee, which Archer,
chairman of the Subcommittee,
chairs, adopted the bill this,
on Housing and Community.
week by a 21-15 party-line
Opportunity wrote Archert-
don't need
vote. In the politically expedient
"The program. in fact, is a.
name of cutting "corporate wel-
great example of incentives -
fare" Archer would cut a very:
long term incentives - that
fixing
efficient program of high pri-,
work." It's "an irreplaceable
vate investment that has
step for families leaving public
helped create more than three-
and federally-assisted housing.
quarters of a million low-in-
to self-sufficiency and home
JAMES
come apartments in nine years.
ownership."
PATTERSON
Since It was signed into law
The New York Times editori-
by President Reagan in 1986.
alized Thursday: "The Republi-
housing tax credits have been a
can leadership has found a new,
A
small breath of life
boon for builders. The program
way to pummel the poor: Cut
filled small town Indiana
has produced almost half of all
programs that benefit them in
Friday. and in essence;
rental housing and virtually all
the name of eliminating 'corpo-
small town America.
low-income housing built in the
rate welfare.'
In Perrysville, a shrinking
last decade. Moreover. it gener-
"This is a wrong idea at the
hamlet of 243 people in Vermil-
ates nearly 100,000 jobs and
wrong time." stated Lt. Gov.
lion County. ground was broken,
$3.1 billion in construction
Frank O'Bannon, chairman of
on a project which when com-
wages annually.
IHFA. "The tax credit program.
pleted will help revive a small-
In Indiana alone, where the
has been positive for our state.
piece of deflating rural Ameri-
program is administered by the
We cannot balance the budget
ca, and save a bit of dignity
Indiana Housing Finance Au-
on the backs of those Ameri-
along with it. Constructors will
thority. the credits have been
cans who are children. poor, or,
begin converting a former grade
used to build more than 15,000
elderly. This is wrong for Indi-
school into 25 low income, one->
apartments for Hoosiers and at-
ana and wrong for America."
bedroom apartments for the el-
tracted $201,320,000 in tax
"We can provide housing to
derly.
credit equity investment.
seniors in the area without tax,
By selling Low Income Hous-
Beside the fact that Con-
credits," says L. Michael Booe,
ing Tax Credits to private,
gress. including two-thirds of
housing and development direc-
(mainly corporate) investors,
Republican legislators. voted to
tor for Community Action COV₂
mixed with other private and
make Low Income Housing Tax
ering a six-county area Includ-
public funding sources, quali-
Credits permanent just three
ing Perrysville, "but not
fied seniors will be able to rent.
years ago, Archer and cohorts
affordable housing." A chorus
one of the apartments for only
would be wise to heed the grow
of Amens echo all the way from
$239 per month. The rules say,
ing groundswell against cutting.
Vermillion County.
apartments developed with tax
the credits - much from with
credits must go to those whose
in the GOP.
incomes are 60 percent of the
"Although corporations are
area median or less.
significant investors In the taxis
Unfortunately, Low Income
credits
the LIHTC is not
Housing Tax Credits and the
'corporate welfare,' " the Re-
$3.5 billion in annual tax reve
publican Governor's Associa
nue the federal government
tion wrote House Speaker Newt
sacrifices for them may be
Gingrich. "Corporations are the
eliminated. As part of a bill.
principal Investors because the
aimed at raising $38 billion,
General Limitations on Credits
Rep. Bill Archer. R-Texas, has
in the 1986 Tax Act has effect
offered housing credits for the
tively knocked individual Inves-
chopping block.
tors out of the Tax Credit mar
ket
Providence Business News
September 25, 1995
Low income tax credits may
be victim of budget cuts
By Brett Davey
welfare, said Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who
pointed out that two-thirds of the Republi-
Staff Writer
cans in the House supported the program
when it was given permanent status by
It looked like any other groundbreaking
Congress in 1993.
ceremony: a gathering of neighbors, non-
"They're looking at it as corporate wel-
profit coalitions, bankers and politicians.
fare, but I don't think that is what most
There were speeches given, photographs
people would say," Kennedy said. "When
taken, and plaques handed out.
one sees the tangible results the program
They were all there under a tent in the
yields, it's hard to paint it as part of the
Constitution Hill
problem with the tax
neighborhood in
code."
Woonsocket to ap-
'When the chairman of
Since the program
plaud the beginning of
was created, Rhode
construction on a $4.5
The Ways and Means
Island has received
million housing de-
$8.3 million in tax
velopment. The en-
Committe is the one
credits which have
thusiasm of the group
talking about it, the
raised $41 million in
was tempered, how-
equity investment,
ever, by concern for a
threat is very real.'
which leveraged
tax credit program
$117.5 million in total
which helped finance
-Richard Godfrey
investment.
the project.
Barbara Fields is
"Very disconcert-
state director of Local
ing news," U.S. Rep.
Initiatives Support
Jack Reed said to Richard Godfrey, execu-
Corp. (LISC). The organization's National
tive director of Rhode Island Housing Mort-
Equity Fund (NEF) uses the Low Income
gage and Finance Corp., before the cer-
Housing Tax Credit program to garner cor-
emony started.
porate support for affordable housing. Fields
Reed was referring to the threatened
said it will be difficult to replace the funds
Low Income Housing Tax Credit program,
that come from the low-income tax credits
which has helped finance construction or
and the incentive the program gives to
rehabilitation of almost 2,500 units of af-
corporations.
fordable housing in Rhode Island. The pro-
"The low-income housing tax credit is
gram, created by the Tax Reform Act of
the major vehicle used to get private indus-
1986, reduces the tax liability for corpora-
try involved in housing for low-to-moder-
tions that invest in low-income housing
ate income people," Fields said. "It's the
projects.
way we've gotten them to invest in Rhode
Rep. Bill Archer (R-Texas), chairman of
Island."
the House Ways and Means Committee, has
Fields said that money can also be used
the tax credit program in the sights of his
to leverage further capital for such projects.
budget cutting ax. Archer included a repeal
Denise Altay, NEF national underwrit-
of the program in budget reconciliation leg-
ing manager, said since 1986 when the
islation that was scheduled to be debated in
legislation was introduced, more than
Congress last week. A vote could come as
700,000 units of affordable housing have
early as this week.
been built with financing from the tax credit.
"This could definitely threaten further
"These credits are like gold," she said.
projects," said Godfrey. "When the chair-
"Corporations make a good return on them.
man of the Ways and Means Committee is
If they didn't, they'd go somewhere else."
the one talking about it, the threat is very
The threat to the program, said Altay, is
real."
"very real, given the current political cli-
"We need to do more of this, not less,"
mate and need to balance the budget. II
said Reed.
wasn't a move that was expected by any.
Providence Business News
state
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
Facts (1987-1994)
The federal government annually allocates tax credits to the
states in the amount of $1.25 per resident. Rhode Island received
about $1.2 million in 1995.
Rhode Island
Total tax credits allocated
$8.3 million
Total equity raised
$41 million
Total financing leveraged
$117.5 million
Total number of apartments
2,476
Avg. household income of residents
$12,000
Nationally
Number of units
700,000
Total tax credits allocated
$2.2 billion
Total equity raised
$12 billion
DAILY NEWS
450 W. 33d St. New York, N.Y. 10001
September 27, 1995
Bank on it
An important law that has sparked investment in poor neigh-
borhoods for 18 years goes on the Senate chopping block today.
It must be spared.
In some areas of the city. the Community Reinvestment Act is
all that stands between a thriving neighborhood and a slum. En-
acted in 1977, it encourages banks to invest in low-income areas.
But the Senate Banking Committee, chaired by New York's AI
Amato, is set to vote on a bill that would gut it by exempting
most banks from compliance and barring community groups
from challenging expansion plans on the basis of CRA scores.
That would be disastrous for New York. The law doesn't force
banks to make risky loans, only to lend in areas avoided because
of the residents' race or income. Banks with low ratings can be
blocked from merging or acquiring other banks.
Using the CRA as a wedge, for example, orre activist group -
Community on the Move - has won commitments for $90 mil-
lion in new loans for the South Bronx and upper Manhattan and
forced the opening of several new bank branches.
But if the act dies, organizations like Local Initiatives Sup-
port Corporation could not help rebuild Harlem. Businesses
like South Bronx' Delicioso Coco, which grew from one push-
cart to nearly 200 through a Chemical Bank loan, might go bust.
Critics who say the CRA holds banks hostage to communities
forget that the banks are supposed to serve those communities.
Without CRA, there would be less incentive for them to do so.
THE KANSAS CITY STAR
METROPOLITAN EDITION
TUESDAY, September 19, 1995
Don't 'sunset' this program
It's a mystery why the low-income housing
Archer has also directed the General
tax credit always seems to be on life-support in
Accounting Office to do a study examining,
Washington. Over the last seven years, the
among other things, whether developers are
program helped finance about 730,000 units of
playing games with the system by charging full
low-income affordable housing. Every dollar in
market rents for units subsidized by the credit,
credit attracts about three dollars from the
or milking the program by charging
private sector. Projects are built - and urban
inappropriate fees. A study along those lines
neighborhoods redeveloped - with a minimum
would be worthwhile, and if problems exist, the
of involvement by federal bureaucrats.
program can be fine-tuned. But that's hardly a
Unfortunately, House Ways and Means
justification for "sunsetting" the credit. Do the
Chairman Bill Archer wants the low-income
study, but keep the program permanent.
housing tax credit lumped with a variety of
By and large, this has been a successful
other credit programs, which would subject the
program, and state and local officials know it.
LIHTC to review on a regular basis. In other
In fact, the Republican Governors Association
words, he would end its permanent status and
has written to Archer, begging him not to make
make it temporary. Unless reauthorized beyond
the LIHTC temporary.
1997, it would die.
In a joint letter to House Speaker Newt
Since all investment decisions require
Gingrich, Govs. Mike Leavitt of Utah and John
planning, this move threatens to reduce the
Engler of Michigan wrote that "The credit
amount of capital available for affordable
is a key element in the recovering real estate
housing projects even if the tax credit survives
industry and the most effective tool we have to
regular reauthorization fights. Given the
serve the housing needs of lower-income
vagaries of Washington, a tax credit with
renters. They're right. Archer's gambit should
temporary status is a program at risk.
be seen as a non-starter.
A16
Thursday, September 21, 1995 *6/7
MICHAEL E. WALLER
Publisher
DAVID S. BARRETT
The Hartford Courant
Editor
Established 1764
JOHN J. ZAKARIAN
THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY PUBLISHED
Editorial Page Editor
NEWSPAPER IN AMERICA
CLIFFORD L. TEUTSCH, Managing Editor
ELISSA PAPIRNO, Reader Representative
EDITORIALS
Housing credits
T
he House Ways and Means Committee began
voting this week on proposals to cut what's some-
times called corporate welfare in the tax code.
On the list: the Low Income Housing Tax
Credit, which last year helped produce 1,000 new
or renovated housing units in Connecticut.
Many corporate tax credits should indeed be
targets for economizing. But this is one credit that
budget-cutters have gotten in their cross hairs
erroneously.
As its name implies, the program gives com-
panies a tax break for investing in low-income
housing. Congress had approved the break annu-
ally since 1986. In 1993, the cut was made a per-
manent part of the tax code. Businesses began
planning on housing investments: Corporate par-
ticipation soared to $6.5 million in Connecticut
alone.
Hartford Democrat Barbara B. Kennelly and
New Britain Republican Nancy L. Johnson are
both on the Ways and Means Committee. They
ought to team up to be sure this incentive for pub-
lic-spirited investment remains a permanent part
of the tax law.
Sunday
Newsday
SUNDAY, OCT. 1, 1995
$1.50
NASSAU
INSIDE LONG ISLAND: AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Tax Credit Program in Jeopardy
By Deborah Barfield
STAPP WEITER
T
HE DEVELOPERS knew they would come up
short when they sought traditional financing
for an affordable bousing complex for senior
citizens in Port Washington.
So, in a move rarely used on Long Island, they
turned to the Clorox Co. to pick up the slack, enticing
the Fortune 500 company with the promise of $6 mil-
lion in federal tax credits over a 10-year period.
"When we looked to finance, we knew all levels of
government were suffering cutbacks in bousing dol-
lars," said Sydalle Knepper, whose development com-
pany eventually built the 68-unit Landmark on Main
Street. "We had to fill a gap. So we turned to tax
credits, which we knew were effective."
That $12.3-million project opens in November, but
Knepper and other Long Island housing advocates
worry they may not have tax credits to June investors
for future projects.
Last week, a House congressional committee ap-
proved a measure that threatens to change, or even
eliminate, federal low-income housing tax credits.
The House is expected to vote soon on a package that
includes the measure.
Under the program, for every dollar a company in-
vests, it gets money back in credits, which it later
applies against its federal taxes.
Local developers say they already struggle with less
government aid, and lowing the Incentive of tax cred-
its could stifle efforts to build desperately needed
Neesday/MchaelE. Ath
affordable housing.
The Rev. Charles Vegeley, right, is president of Landmark on Main Street Housing Development Fund Corp., a
"We're just starting to use them," said Jim Morgo,
group set up to preserve the Port Washington school building. The building will have 59 units for senior citizens.
president of the Long Island Housing Partnership
A12
Thursday September 28. 1995
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION
DENNIS BERRY, Publisher
RON MARTIN, Editor
JOHN C. MELLOTT
CYNTHIA TUCKER
JOHN WALTER
General Manager
Editorial Page Editor
Managing Editor
JAMES M. COX. Chairman. 1950-57 JAMES M. COX. JR. Chairman. 1957-74
Tax break for do-gooders
Can it be that House Ways and Means Chair-
recognized to be the most cost-effective of the
man Bill Archer (R-Texas) is-trying to portray
federal government's housing schemes. It is
himself as a foe of federal handouts to busi-
credited with creating 90,000 jobs per year,
ness? That's as much of a stretch as Sylvester
generating $2.8 billion in wages and $1.3 bil-
Stallone doing King Lear.
lion in tax revenue.
Archer, an unabashed
Not all tax breaks stimu-
champion of the well-off,
late economic activity and
undoubtedly recognizes the
serve an immensely useful
political danger in gutting
social purpose; this one does.
programs for the needy
It is do-goodism with an
without requiring a wee sac-
absolute minimum of
rifice by the affluent. In any
bureaucracy and a maxi-
event, last month he made a
mum of private initiative,
solemn oath, hallelujah, to
local control and financial
whack away at corporate
safeguards.
welfare.
A coterie of conservative
Oh, he deprived some
Republican governors of
Hollywood studios and
urbanized states implored
chicken ranchers of their tax
Archer not to kill the pro-
breaks. But he also stuck it
gram. George Pataki of New
to a group that didn't
York said it was a model for
deserve this fate - develop-
federal-state relationships.
ers and investors who build
John Engler said it accounts
or rehabilitate housing for
Special
for four-fifths of apartments
low-income renters.
O'Hern House in Atlanta was
built in Michigan. Jim Edgar
This is no minor matter.
transformed from a factory
of Illinois said it was built on
Archer would dismantle a
into apartments, thanks to the
a foundation of core Repub-
program that creates 100,000
low-income housing tax credit.
lican principles. All to no
affordable dwellings each
avail.
year, a construction pace that barely keeps up
It is up to the Senate, once again, to clean up
with housing stock lost to demolition, decay
a mess perpetrated in the House. A budget rec-
and natural disaster. That's 90 percent of all
onciliation bill slated for Senate action contains
new low-income housing in the United-States.
a provision similar to the Ways and Means'
Atlanta participation in the program is gain-
elimination of the low-income housing tax
ing momentum. More than 300 low-income
credit. The provision must be defeated and
rental units have been built here in the past
then removed in the Senate-House conference.
four years under its auspices.
Direct federal funding to build low-income
So why kill this tax credit, the heart of the
housing already has been cut drastically, and
program? The fact is, there is no explanation
now this private approach is gravely threat-
that makes sense. The program costs the U.S.
ened. Does Archer honestly think volunteer
Treasury $3.5 billion per year in tax credits
groups with limited resources - such as Habi-
that developers, lending institutions and non-
tat for Humanity, which built 4,900 houses
profit consortiums use to leverage additional
nationally last year - can fill the enormous
private funds for low-cost housing. It is widely
void he intends to create?
Several hundred low income housing units have been
A10
Wednesday. September 27. 1995 = South Bend Tribune C
constructed in South Bend as a result of the tax credit
program. Two recent apartment complexes in South Bend,
the Central High Apartments and the Stephenson Mill
apartment project, both include low income units that look
just like the other, full-price units. The days when public
housing had to look different from private housing are
over, or at least they have been.
Support for retaining the credit has been bipartisan.
South Bend Tribune
Michigan Gov. John Engler, representing his own state as
well as the Republican Governors Association, has im-
plored Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich not to let the
225 West Colfax Avenue South Bend, Indiana 46626
tax credit law expire. Indiana Lt. Gov. Frank O'Bannon,
Locally owned since 1872
who serves as chairman of the Indiana Housing Finance
Authority, has also been a strong supporter of the tax
EDITORIAL BOARD
credit. "This (allowing the tax credit law to expire) is a
wrong idea at the wrong time," said O'Bannon.
JAMES WENSITS
TOOD F. SCHURZ
In one of two letters he sent to Gingrich, Engler noted
GAYLE DANTZLER
Associate Editor
Editor and Publisher
Associate Editor
that Michigan has made great strides in reforming wel-
fare, adding that the tax credit has been an important
part of a statewide strategy to help low income families
Save low-income
afford decent housing. Engler estimated that the credit is
responsible for creating 22,000 new rental units in Michi-
gan since 1986 and anticipated that it will generate new
housing tax credit
units at the rate of 4,000 a year if the credit is retained.
Criticism likening the tax credit to "corporate welfare"
The proposal being pushed in Congress to eliminate the
is nonsense. While the credit uses tax cuts as an incentive
Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit at the end of
for investment, it does not subsidize businesses for expen-
1997 as part of the budget-balancing effort is short-sighted
ditures they would make even if there were no tax credit.
and foolish.
Ira Peppercorn, executive director of the Indiana Hous-
Since its creation by President Reagan in 1986, the low
ing Finance Authority, met recently with public officials
income tax credit has been instrumental in the creation of
from around the state who were attending the Indiana As-
hundreds of thousands of low-income housing units, most
sociation of Cities and Towns meeting, which was held in
of which blend seamlessly into their communities without
South Bend.
creating public housing ghettoes.
Peppercorn believes that public housing projects of the
The high-rise public housing units of the past, like Chi-
past didn't work because they alienated and "ghetto-ized"
cago's Cabrini-Green, became urban nightmares and blue-
those who lived in them. He's right.
prints of what not to do when it comes to public housing.
The Federal Low Income Tax Credit program has
The low income housing tax credit program allows
worked well and can work well in the future if Congress
private business to purchase federal tax credits at favor-
looks before it leaps into another round of budget-cutting
able prices. The money paid for the credits can then be
rhetoric. Saving where savings can be made without un-
used by private developers for housing projects, of which a
dermining valuable programs that work - a rare federal
percentage of the units must be allocated for low-income
commodity - makes sense. Slashing blindly in the dark
tenants.
does not.
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
OCTOBER 7, 1995
FOCUS
Real Estate & Development
LISC helping to make central city housing projects feasible
OCTOBER 7, 1995
By Robert Mullins
eas, federal tax credits are offered to
Proponents of a housing project under
bridge the gap between what a project
construction in Milwankee's central
costs 10 develop and what it will be
BUSINESS JOURNAL
city struggled for months to get finan-
worth 0111 the market once it's finished
cial backing.
The Beanehamp Townbonses are just
The problem. it seemed, was that the
such an example.
devi depment of 24 townhouses was too
"It cests $95,000 to build a unit and
small 11 project for most investors to
it's worth $50,000 the day you're done
buy the federal tax credits available to
because the appraiser says, in that loca-
make the investment financially viable.
non, that's what it's worth," 1c said
Then along came the Local Initiatives
"How do you bradge the ga) between
Support Corp. (LISC). which helps
95 and 50?" Williams asked.
make such investments possible, not
Tax credits are the answer, be said.
because of the financial return, but be-
For the amount of money donors con-
cause of their value to the community.
tribute through NEF to projects such as
'It's not the deal," said John
Beauchamp, they get 10 deduct about
Williams. LISC's Milwankee program
half of the Lands from their federal in-
director. "It's the relationship."
come taxes Grough use of the credits
Thanks 10 the New York City-based
The filx credits bridge the gap be-
LISC. which operates in 30 U.S. cities,
tween what the developer of the hous-
ground was broken Sept. 2? for the
ing project has to pay on the mortgage
ESH carelramp Townhouses near
and the rents the development Can rea-
North 11th Street and West Meinecke
sonably generate from low-income ten-
Avenue.
ants.
It is the first project LISC has helped
The Beauchamp Townhouses deal was
make possible in Milwaukee, but it will
John Williams "The (LISC) concept Is that you get a neighborhood to the level where n has the
put together with the help of LISC and
not be the last, Williams said.
services II should have to be viable."
NEF after several "aborted efforts" to
He said by meeting with local com-
make i: 80 locally. said 1. Allen Stokes.
munity development groups. LISC is
able,' Williams said.
port for development efforts.
vice president of Inner City Redevelop-
going to find out what the needs of the
Having nn n consulting firm in Mil-
A LISC subsidiary, the National Equi-
ment Corp., Milwaukce.
community are and help fulfill those
waukee that served nonprof organiza-
ly Fund (NEF), makes the actual finan-
The Inner City Redevelopment Corp.
needs. However, LISC does not just
tions doing similar projects, Williams
cial investments in deve opment pri-
is the local community development or-
help build buildings.
had the local experience LISC was
jec.s. NEF, with fices in St. Paul,
ganlzation which received help from
In other-cities, Williams said, LISC
looking for when it lapped him in June
Minu. and Chicago, buys federal tax
LISC to get the Beauchamp project off
has helped the development of light
1995 to run its Milwaukee office.
credits offered on various low income
the ground.
manufacturing firms, retail develop-
LISC is a 15-year-old organization
housing projects - such as Beauchamp
"They are able to do a lot in providing
ments. job creation efforts, day care
created by the Ford Foundation, New
on behalf of various investors that
the resources for futting a deal logether
centers and social service programs.
York City, to support local community
contribut: to the fund.
with the financing," Stokes said of
"The (LISC) concept is that you get a
development efforts. Williams said it
Because housing projects in central
LISC. They had the resources to do it
acighberhood to the level where it has
helps, not just with grant dollars, but
cities are not as financially Increative as
as well as the knowledge and the exper-
hc services it should save to be vi-
with technical expertise and other sup-
those in more prosperous suburban ar-
tise."
OCTOBER 7. 1995
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
FOCUS
Real Estate & Development
Stokes said the development group
body wants a house or can afford it," he
had trouble finding investors in
said.
Central city homes being sold even before they'r built
Beanchamp just in Milwaukee because
Stokes said that whether B housing de-
there is a relatively small pool of cor-
velopment is rental or owner-occupied,
OCTOBER
By Robert Mullins
Rles said the day of that first show-
porations that have been willing to in-
"they need 10 be safe and uffordable
As construction commences 00 the
ing, about 300 people showed up and
vest in tax credit projects.
and decent housing (units)."
7,
J.S. Deauchamp Townhouses, work
SCYCN lots were subsequently sold.
LISC. on the other hind, is a nation-
Housing developments such as
on another central city housing de-
"The models were supposed to
wide organization with financial re-
Beauchamp do more than just improve
velopment moves forward.
stimulate buying, but even without
sources to match. Williams said in IS
the city's housing stock, they stimulate
1995
Two model homes are nearing com-
the models they certainly have
years, the group has invested $1 i bil-
still more development, said Leo Ries,
pletion in the CityHomes subdivi-
served their purpose," said Michael
hon in projects in 30 cities.
director of housing and neighbor
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
sion, a joint public-private partner-
Hatch, 1 Milwaukee attorney in-
With there kind of resources 10 bring
development for the city of Milwai kee.
ship designed 10 create BCW housing
volved in the project.
to redevelopment efforts, Milwaukee
"The goal IS to stimulate investment
stock in Milwaukee that is decent,
Hatch heads the real estate depart-
can find los of projects for LISC to do,
and calalyze reinvestment in that neigh
modern, safe and affordable.
ment at Poley & Lardner, a Milwau-
said Michael Hatch, a Milwaukee real
borkood," Rics said. To see new
Forty to 50 single-family homes are
kee law firm which is a co-sponsor
estate attomey
buildings going up gives people new
to be built in an men of vacant lots
of the Milwaukee Neighborhood Re-
"There's no doubt that LISC will have
confidence in that neighborhood."
bounded by West Walnut, West
newal Foundation, a corporate fund
an increas ngly important role to play
LISC is expected IC stimulate more
Vine, North 20th and North 22nd
drive to help raise money for the
in developments in this city." said
redevelopment activity in Milwaukee
streets.
housing project.
Harch, who serves 00 a local advisory
after the Beauchamp Townhouses are
Before the model homes were fin.
Already, he said, $230,000 has
heard to L.SC.
completed, Williams said.
ished, tuyers were lining up.
been raised to help bridge the gap
The Beauchamp Townhouse project is
Although it has no specific projects in
'II is exceeding our expectations is
between what the homes will be sold
a good first effort. Hatch said.
mind, he said it is going to do a needs
just about every way," said Lco Ries,
for, which is about $73,000 and
Generally, development experts be-
assessment of several community de-
director of housing and neighbor-
what it actually costs to build them,
lieve the key to restoring rundown ur-
velopinent organizations in Milwaukee
hood development in Nilwaukee's
estimated to be about $100,000.
ban housing stock is to create more
to see what projects are most important
Department cf City Development.
"Everybody's feeling pretty good
owner-occupied housing.
for LISC to pursue.
Before the first home was built,
about it,' Hatch said.
Rental properties terd to gel neglect-
Which is good news for Milwaukee's
Ries said. CityHomes promoters
The city of Milwaukee established
al by the r absentee landlords, while
central city housing stock.
creeted fl tell on the Aug
a tax incremental finance district 10
owner-occupied properties con't deteri-
tell prospective buyers about the
fund infrastructure development in
orate as much
homes and the low-rate financing
the subdivision such as streets, land-
Hatch said that although the
available 10 tuy them.
scaping and sewer and water service.
Beanchamp Townhouses will be rental
From a $2 million Wisconsin Hous-
The subdivision is part of a larger
properties they will have several things
ing and Economic Development AH-
redovelopment effort in an area
going for them over other emal prop-
therity fund. mortgages are being is-
bounded by Walnet Street, North
crties.
seed at a 4 percent interest rate for
30th Street, West North Avenue and
"Townhouses are different than multi-
the homes.
North Fond du Lac Avenue.
fam ly apartment developments," Hatch
said. "They are closer to home style
and it's easier for people 10 take pride
in thein."
The 1,300-square-foot townhouses
will feature three bedrooms, one-and-a-
half bathrooms, a full basement, a de-
lacked garage, and full appliances.
TOTAL P.03
They also will be professionally man-
aged by Cgden & Co., Milwankee.
Properly managed and maintained. u
rental housing development such as
Beauchamp will serve Milwaukee well,
Stokes said.
"We need a combination of rental and
ownership housing because not every.
N
THE NEWS & OBSERVER
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1995
31A
Don't tear down
the housing credit
By A_ ROBERT KUCAB
state pay more than they can afford for
RALEIGH
rent 30 percent or more of their gross
n the effort to streamline govern-
income. That does not leave much for
I
ment at all levels, the federal
food, health care, child care, transporta-
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
tion and other necessities.
Program stands out as a model.
Growing communities - including
Through incentives to private
Raleigh and Wake County - need afford-
investors, it has produced 730,000 afford-
able rental housing for young families,
able rental units for lower-wage, working
for low-wage workers, for disabled per-
families, including 15,800 in North Caroli-
sons and others with special needs; and
na - and 2,776 in Wake County.
for elderly persons who require support-
The housing was produced by private
ive services.
investment, using federal assistance as a
With the LIHC providing an incentive.
catalyst, allowing local decisions and
for private investment, Raleigh is enjoy-:
keeping ownership and management in
ing successful low-income developments
private hands. Bureau-
that would be hard to distinguish from
POINT
cracy is minimal: the
market-rate housing. Two examples are
program is adminis-
Tryon Grove Apartments for families, off
tered by a handful of
OF VIEW
Tryon Road and Murphy School Apart-
staff at the U.S.
ments for the elderly, the adaptive reuse
Department of Trea-
of an historic downtown school.
sury and by state
Suburban communities like Cary,
housing finance agencies, most of which,
Wake Forest and Apex have also gained
like North Carolina Housing Finance
new rental housing, and as a result can
Agency, are self-supporting.
offer more choice to low-income families.
So why is the Low-Income Housing
In Durham, the LIHC helped finance
Tax Credit (LIHC) sud-
denly on the chopping
block - at risk, not of
being trimmed, but of
being climinated alto-
gether?
That is a question for
House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Bill
Archer, R-Texas, who in
mid-September intro-
duced a surprise
proposal to "mmset" the
LIHC in 1997, a back-door
way of killing It altogeth-
er
And - thankfully - it
is also a question for the
Senate Finance Commit-
tee, which begins
finalizing the tax provi-
sions of Its own budget bill this week The
Preiss-Steele Place; a nationally recog-
first step in keeping the LIHC's much-
nized apartment community that
needed housing production is to ensure
provides elderty persons with services
that the Senate Finance Committee
for continued independent living.
leaves the program intact in its own bud-
Although Archer's Ways and Means
get package.
Committee voted along straight party
Two reasons were given by Rep.
lines, the Low-Income Housing Tax
Archer for the "sunset" One (mistaken-
Credit Program is not a partican issue.
ly) lumps the LIHC with "corporate
The program was designed 10 years ago
tuelfare"
mmisione
in
he
in
the
hu the Senate Finance CommittAA under
er.
And - thankfully - it
is also a question for the
Senate Finance Commit-
tee, which begins
finalizing the tax provi-
sions of its own budget bill this week. The
Preiss-Steele Place, a nationally recog-
first step in keeping the LIHC's much-
nized apartment community that
needed housing production is to ensure
provides elderty persons with services
that the Senate Finance Committee
for continued independent living
leaves the program intact in its own bud-
Although Archer's Ways and Means
get package.
Committee voted along straight party
Two reasons were given by Rep.
lines, the Low-Income Housing Tax
Archer for the "sunset" One (mistaken-
Credit Program is not a partisan issue.
ly) lumps the LIHC with "corporate
The program was designed 10 years ago
welfare" provisions to be cut in the
by the Senate Finance Committee under
House's deficit reduction package. The
Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan. After years of sun-
other argues that suspending the LIHC
set and renewal, it was made permanent
will allow Congress and the General
in 1993 under legislation developed by a
Accounting Office to review scattered
Democrat-dominated House Ways and
cases of abuse.
Means Committee. Its current and vocal
The LIHC is not corporate welfare."
supporters include the Republican Gov-
Unlike tax deductions for depreciation or
ernors Association. North Carolina's
entertainment, for example; it does not
congressional delegation, both Democ-
give a benefit for investments that busi-
rats and Republicans, supported
nesses make in their own interest. The
"permanency" in 1993.
LIHC provides an incentive to invest for
It would be a mistake to reverse the
the public good. in housing that could not
decision in 1995.
other wise be produced and rented at
Permanency has made the LIHC oper-
such low rates.
ate more efficiently, allowing developers
As for possible abuses, of course they
and investors to count on it in planning
should be investigated, and the program
their work It has drawn producers of
should be changed if modifications are
high quality housing into the production
indicated The process of review and
of high quality affordable housing.
refinement has been almost continuous
In the House, parliamentary rules will
during the 10-year life to the LIHC-
make it virtually impossible to remove
without requiring a suspension that, in
the LIHC sunset provision when the bud.
the present budget. climate, will make it
get bill goes to the full House for a vote.
all but tmpossible to reinstate any pro-
The first step to save the program is to
gram after A sunset
make sure that the Senate budget has no
such provision That will open the wuy for
North Carolina needs the LIHC. Some
the House-Senate conference committee
200,000 low-income households in our
to restore the LIHC when it irons out the
differences between the two budget pack-
ages.
A. Robert Kucab is executive director
Every person who understands the
of the N.C. Housing Finance Agency, a
importance of affordable housing/should
supporting agency created by the
make sure that our North Carolina sena-
General Assembly. He is also chairman
tors and representatives hear of their
of the state's Housing Policy and Coordi-
support for the Low-Income Housing Tax
nation Council
Credit Program.
TULSA WORLD
91st Year - No. 21
Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October 4, 1995
Entire Contents
1995 World Publishing Company
Lawmaker Backs Effort
For Housing Program
By Wesley Brown
Treitman will set aside most of
munity.
them for low-income people, and
World Staff Writer
"I was really impressed with
rents will be kept lower than the
the quality of the communities. I
average market rate in Tulsa
visited one complex that was five
A Tulsa state representative
If his proposal is accepted by
years old, and it look like it was
said tax-credit apartment devel-
the Oklahoma Housing Finance
(brand-new)," Hastings said of a
opments he saw in Yakima,
Agency, Treitman is to receive
development for senior citizens.
Wash., made him believe that
$1.07 million in federal tax cred-
"A complex like this in our com-
Tulsa can create a low-income
its each year for 10 years, II the
munity will help low-income el-
housing program that works for
property continues to meet state
derly people live out the rest of
everyone.
requirements.
their lives in dignity."
State Rep. Chris Hastings, R.
"His development is something
The Oklahoma Housing Fi-
Tulsa. spent the weekend visiting
that without question is a benefit
nance Agency is scheduled to
several apartment complexes.
to the surrounding arba, the com-
meet Thursday in Oktahoma City
funded with the federal tax cred-
munity, and the tenants." Has-
to decide which developers will
its, and built by Neil Treitman.
tings said of the Washington
receive the $3 million in tax cred-
president of Community Develop-
apartments. "I think this can be
it available for 1995.
ment Services.
kind of a road map for the city (of
Although state housing officials
Hastings said he came away
Tulsa) to follow."
haven't released any information
impressed. The apartments are
Hastings also said, "The criti-
yet. several sources said Treit-
similar to plans for Woodland
cal thing is that I see man who is
man's application will be one of
Manor Apartments, a 240-unit
concerned about Tulsa's future
the winners.
complex Treitman wants to build
and is willing to work with us.
In August, Hastings and two
at 8600 E. 61st St. for low-Income
This is not going to be a 61st and
Tulsa lawyers wrote a plan that
people over age 55.
Peoria."
they hoped would settle a contro-
Treitman spent most of last
Hastings and Gov. Frank Keat-
versy over several low-income
week in Tulsa visiting with citi-
ing have pointed to that area of
apartment complexes proposed
zens. business people, and city of-
south Tulsa as an example of
for south Tulsa, and to be funded
ficials. seeking support.
poorly planned and maintained
with tax credits.
"I am real pleased about going
low-income housing.
The finance agency's rules at
up there," Hastings said. "We def-
Hastings had been critical this
low cities to write ordinances
initely (now) agree with Treitman
summer of absentee out-of-state
that give them more flexibility in
that you can treat non-market
developers.
deciding where to locate tax-
rate apartments differently than
Hastings said he met with more
credit developments.
market rate."
than 50 residents of Treitman's
Hastings wanted a city ordi-
Under the terms of his proposal
apartments. the city manager of
nance that would have required:
to build the Tulsa apartments,
Yakima, and people in the com-
See Housing on News 10
Continued from
developers to safety and
security. equiph conform to
city zoning and planning laws.
follow certain long-term mainte-
nance rules and not cause harm
to the Wpshile good, morals, wel-
fare or of the community.
Quietly, soine city and planning
officials have expressed concerns
themesome sections of Hastings'
plan would have violated federal
Valr beasing laws.
The Pawtucket Times -- Sept. 30, 1995
Federal tax credits program has
changed lives, restored housing
Lisa Daignault is working her way through
college the hard way. A divorced mother, she's
doing it on her own while bringing up five
kids. The last place she lived had railroad
Guest Commentary
tracks running through the backyard. The
bathtub was in her bedroom and the toilet sat
in a closet. That was the best she could do
By Richard H.
with fIve kids and tuition bills. Well, not any
Godfrey Jr.
more. Earlier this year they moved into an
apartment we financed in Lincoln. The rent is
low, so Lisa and the kids can squeak by. Best
credits finance the construction of 240 apart-
of all, she says, the apartment is handicapped
ments creating 260 jobs generating $5 million
accessible. making life easier for her develop-
in real estate, sales and payroll taxes The
mentally disabled son Adam.
Lincoln development appropriately is called
Rhode Island Housing is able to finance
Project Renew, for it involved the complete
low-cost apartments like Lisa's because of a
rehabilitation of six rundown tenement build-
federal program that encourages private cor-
ings. The renovations included new windows,
porations to invest in affordable housing.
kitchens, baths, flooring and heating and elec-
Here's how the Low Income Housing Tax
trical systems. Our financing also bailed out
Credit Program works. Rhode Island annually
Rhode Island taxpayers by recycling property
receives $1.2 million in tax credits, which we
held by DEPCO. Lastly, it gave new hope to
then allocate to developers of affordable hous-
Lisa Daignault and the 33 other families that
ing. They then sell the tax credits to private
call Project Renew home.
investors, usually corporations, like Citizens,
Next year Lisa will graduate from the Com-
Fleet, CVS and Pawtucket's own Hasbro.
munity College of Rhode Island with a degree
Since 1988 the sale of Low Income Housing
in accounting. Like most of our tenants, she
Tax Credits has raised $41 million here in
only needs a helping hand. The average stay
Rhode Island. Developers have used that equi-
in one of these apartments is just two years.
ty to attract an additional $117 million in
By then residents have found a new job, re-
other financing. That's nearly $160 million in
covered from illness or, like Lisa, earned a
construction and other economic activity. Now
degree and are ready to move on. If the Low
tax credits are under attack in Washington.
Income Housing Tax Credit Program dies, our
Last week. the House Ways and Means Com-
efforts to help people like Lisa and cities like
mittee voted to kill the program. That would
Central Falls will, too. But there is hope.
be too bad, because the program does a lot of
The program's last best chance lays with
good.
one of our own. Rhode Island's John Chafee is
Over the past few weeks your newspaper
a senior member of the Senate Finance Com-
has reported on the renaissance that is occur-
mittee, which has jurisdiction over tax credits.
ring in Central Falls with the Centennial
A vote on the future of the program is ex-
Houses and Cogswell Homes projects. Last
pected next week. Local groups like REACH
year The Times told readers about the renova-
and the Blackstone Valley Community Action
tion of the former Sacred Heart School and
Program know Senator Chafee as a long-time
Convent in Pawtucket and the apartments in
friend of housing. That's why they're spending
Lincoln where the Daignault family lives. In
a lot of their time giving Chafee the informa-
the case of those projects, developers used $4.5
tion he needs to protect tax credits. Even Lisa
million from the sale of tax credits to raise an
wrote Washington. She said she had to for all
additional $10.3 million in financing. That's
the other Lisa Daignaults who haven't found
$14.8 million flowing into Central Falls, Lin-
their way home yet.
coin and Pawtucket.
The program invigorates our economy,
(Richard H. Godfrey Jr. is executive director
boisters local tax rolls and creates much
of the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage
needed housing. In an average year, tax
Finance Corportion.)
Support low-income
housing tax credit
By Richard Godfrey
Lisa Daignault is working her way through college the hard way. A
divorced mother. she's doing it on her own while bringing up five kids. The
The Woonsocket Call - Sept. 30, 1995
last piace she lived had railroad tracks running through the back yard. The
bathtub was in her bedroom and the toilet sat in a closet. That was the best
she could do with five kids and tuition bills. Well. not anymore. Earlier this
year they moved into an apartment we financed in Lincoln. The rent is low.
so Lisa and the kids can squeak by. Best of all. she says. the apartment is
handicapped accessible. making life easier for her developmentally
disabled son Adam.
The Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp. (RIHMFC) is
able to finance low-cost apartments like Lisa's because of a federal
program that encourages private corporations to invest in affordable
housing. Here's how the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program works.
Rhode Island annually receives $1.2 million in tax credits. which we then
allocate to developers of affordable housing. They then sell the tax credits
to private investors. usually corporations like Citizens, Fleet. Hasbro and
Woonsocket's own CVS. Since 1988 the sale of Low Income Housing Tax
Credits has raised $41 million here in Rhode Island. Developers have used
that equity to attract an additional $117 million in other financing. That's
nearly $160 million in construction and other economic activity. Now tax
credits are under attack in Washington, D.C. Last week the House Ways
and Means Committee voted to kill the program. That would be too bad,
because the program does a lot of good.
The Call has been reporting on the renaissance that is occurring on
Constitution Hill. In May, The Call wrote about the renovation of the
Hanora-Lippitt Mill Apartments. Last fall the paper told readers about the
apartments in Lincoln where the Daignault family lives. In the case of
those three projects, developers used $3.4 million from the saie of tax
credits to raise an additional $7.9 million in financing. That's $11.3 million
flowing into Lincoln and Woonsocket.
The program invigorates our economy, bolsters local tax rolls and
creates much-needed housing. In an average year, tax credits finance the
construction of 240 apartments, creating 260 jobs generating $5 million in
real estate, sales and payroll taxes. The Lincoln development appropriately
is called Project Renew, for it involved the complete rehabilitation of six
rundown tenement buildings. The renovations included new windows,
kitchens. baths, flooring, and heating and electrical systems. Our financing
also bailed out Rhode Island taxpayers by recycling property held by the
Depositors Economic Protection Corp. (DEPCO). Lastly, it gave new hope
to Lisa Daignault and the 33 other families that call Project Renew home.
Next year Lisa will` graduate from the Community College of Rhode
Island with a degree in accounting. Like most of our tenants. she only needs
a helping hand. The average stay in one of these apartments is just two
years. By then residents have found a new job, recovered from illness or,
like Lisa, earned a degree and are ready to move on. If the Low Income
Housing Tax Credit program dies. our efforts to help people like Lisa
Daignault and neighborhoods like Constitution Hill will. too. But there is
hope.
The program's last best chance lays with one of our own. Rhode Island's
John Chafee is a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, which
has jurisdiction over tax credits. A vote on the future of the program is
expected next week. Local groups like the Woonsocket Neighborhood
Development Corp. and the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program
know Sen. Chafee as a longtime friend of housing. That's why they're
spending a lot of their time giving Chafee the information be needs to
protect tax credits. Even Lisa wrote Washington. She said she had to for all
the other Lisa Daignaults who haven't found their way home yet.
Richar: Godfrey is executive director of the Rhode Island Housing and
Mortaine Finance Corn.
THE BLADE: TOLEDO, OHIO
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1995
Housing agencies
push for tax credit
BY EDDIE B. ALLEN, JR.
BLAUE WRITER
6 You can't pull off a project like Toledo
For many people, wall-to-wall
Homes-without the Low Income Housing
carpeting. attached single-car ga
rages, and three-bedroom homes
Tax Credit, and the reason it works is
bring to mind Toledo's submite.
But with help from a federal law
because it's market-driven. ,
called Low-Income Housing Tax
Credit, nr LIHTC. the vision will
Aaron Laramore
become a reality for 50 central-city
ensentive director of Organized Heighbore eXcellence
families by the end of 1926.
Ground will be broken for the 50-
Institutions participate in the tax
Aaron Laramore. executive direc-
unit Toledo Homos in the next sev-
credit. program. The tax credit. is
tor of Organized Neighbors Yielding
eral weeks at a lot on Collingwood
granted to recipients for 10 years
eXcellence, the community develop-
Boulevard near Dorr Street and
based 8 the cost of housing devel-
ment corporation overseeing the To-
next to Warren A.M.E. Charch:
opment and the number of low-
leido Homes project, agreed.
But while local community devel-
income units produced.
"Toledo's central city hasn't soon
opment corporations push for pro-
The program, which became law
significant new construction bousing
jects like Toledo Homes, many Led-
in 1993, was proposed for elimina-
to over two decades," be said.
eral government officials want to
tion recently by the House Ways and
scrap the LIHTC.
Means Committee, but has received
"You can't pull off a project like
Toledo Homes without the Low Ln-
"It's budget time for the whole
support from Governor Volnovich,
country, SO low-income housing is
the National Governors Association,
come Housing Tax Credit, and the
and the Republican Governors Asso-
reason it works is because it's mar-
being swept up in the budget de-
bate," said Hugh Grafe, Tnledo pro-
cistion.
ket-driven," Mr. Laramore said.
gram director for the Local Initia-
Taledo. Homes will cost $4.5 tnil-
Neighborhood residents ontside
tives Support Corp., & national
Lion, of which 13 million will come
low-income housing. areas should
development organization.
from the tax credit funds, Mr. Grafe
also support-the tax. credit if they
"The as credit was being-called
said: Museum Place, in complex mm-
support local economic develop-
corporate welfare," Mr. Grafe not-
der renovation on Monroe Street
ment, Mr. Laramore said.
ed. "But there in bipartisan support
near. Collingwood; has also been al-
"we want to have a strong down-
throughout the country, based on the
lotted a $1.5 million tax credit to
town, and we can't have a strong
fact that it is a good way to encour-
help with its projected $6.8 million
downtown if the neighborhoods that
age private investment in pruducing
cost, be said.
surround it wither and often die," he
affordable housing for low and-mod-
Museum Place illustrates that the
said.
erate-income people."
law can be used for historic preser-
Howard Cross, commissioner of
As the Senate Finance Committee
vation as well as urban or rural
housing for the Toledo department
staff meets this week to draft bud-
development, Mr. Grate added.
of neighborboods, said the LIHTC
get bills dealing with the low-to-
"At the very time you're starting
was used in namerous projects in
come busing tax credit, the Toledo
to ace the biggest increase for af-
the city last year.
office of LISC is trying to generate
fordable housing development in the
"It matters 4 great deal," said
support for the law amous local
city's history, If you pull the plag on
Mr. Cross. "It's hard to understand
businesses and developers.
[the LIHTC] right now, it would all
why the Congress is looking at this
Nearly 50 Toledo businesses and
become- uncertain," be said.
is a negative way."
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1. 1995
35
Commentary
EDITORIALS
Panel Wields Wild Ax
At. Housing Tax Credit
Under the guise of cutting corporate welfare, Congress is
threatening to kill à program that is anything but.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit would be rescinded at the
end of 1997 under a plan already approved by the House Ways and
Means Committee. It isn't clear which way the Senate will vote.
The tax credit, first approved in 1986, has helped create nearly
800,000 rental units for more than 2.4 million poor people
nationwide; the construction created 90,000 jobs. In 1994, the
credit helped create 4,158 affordable housing units in Illinois alone.
Advocates for the poor and home builders alike agree: Without
the tax credit, most low-income housing would not be built.
Developers Simply could not afford to build housing and rent it at a
price poor people could pay. Yet the need is greater than ever. For
every low-income housing unit built under the program, another
unit is lost to gentrification, disrepair or some other affliction.
Congress is rewriting our social policy. Entitlements are becom-
ing block grants. Government work is being privatized. Account-
ability is king.
For all those reasons, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
should be saved. It is a flexible block grant program that
encourages private sector involvement, punishes those who don't
perform and doesn't cost taxpayers a penny until there are results.
In short, the program is everything Congress says it wants, and
it's everything taxpayers are willing to support.
The San Diego
Union-Cribune
Saturday, September 23, 1995
Keep the housing credits
They encourage much-needed construction
here is no question that feder-
year, or more than 90 percent of all
T
al spending must be reduced,
affordable housing built in this country.
and this newspaper applauds
At least $40 million has been distribut-
the efforts of the Republican-
ed by the California Tax Credit Alloca-
controlled Congress to do so.
tion Committee each year since 1987 to
The $52 billion tax bill passed out of the
build such housing. San Diego County
House Ways and Means Committee late
has received $12 million annually for
Tuesday represents a start at reaching
housing under this program. Local Ini-
a balanced federal budget in seven
tiatives Support Corporation (LISC),
years.
one of several agencies working to help
Recently, in an attempt to spread the
distribute funds from the state agency,
necessary sacrifices to achieve this end
has pumped $16 million into 512 units
a bit more fairly, committee chairman
for lower-income families since 1991.
Bill Archer, R-Texas, announced the
These units, renting for $290 to $640
closing of certain corporate tax loop-
per month, provide decent housing for
holes. Fine. Few would argue that tax
individuals and families making no more
advantages for companies engaging in
than 60 percent of the area's $42,000
complex -stock buy-back deals with
annual median income.
other companies or movie studio film
Everyone must help in the very nec-
depreciation write-offs should not be
essary effort to balance the federal
curtailed. But eliminating the $3.5 bil-
budget. But working people who other-
lion credit for corporations investing in
wise can't afford a decent place to live
affordable housing?
and raise their families should not
This credit has led to construction of
bear a disproportionate share of the
more than 100,000 housing units a
responsibility.