Data, toolkits, templates, best practices and reports
AHIC produces best practices for the housing credit field, guidelines that are widely adopted by its members and partners in the affordable housing industry. It also supports research projects that examine how investments are performing and educational publications about the housing credit program. AHIC’s Underwriting Guidelines can be used as an outline for an underwriting process and for investment documents low-income housing tax credits projects. The Asset Management resources page includes risk rating guidelines and a comprehensive look at exits in the Dispositions Discussion Paper.
CohnReznick’s Affordable Housing Credit Study and Tool provides comprehensive data, analysis and insights into the latest performance trends observed across the surveyed portfolio, consisting of more than 21,000 properties financed with federal low-income housing tax credits. The information can help developers, investors and other industry participants to benchmark portfolios, develop best practices and gain insights into the affordable housing industry.
CORES Resource Library is the one-stop shop for resident services tools. It is a free online compendium created to provide resources, sample documents and downloadable templates to improve practices in the field of resident services. Learn how to become a Certified Organization for Resident Engagement & Services.
Enterprise Community Partners has developed the Preservation NEXT Toolkit for small-to medium-scale multifamily properties, that aims to equip affordable housing stakeholders with the resources, information, and tools they need to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve the long-term affordability in their communities. Also, be sure to check out their Business Continuity Toolkit which arms multifamily affordable building owners and managers with a plan to sufficiently prepare for a crisis.
Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies offers interactive data and resources covering rental housing statistics. You can also access and download their Rental Housing 2022 report, which includes an analysis of rental markets, renter households, housing stock, and rental affordability in the year 2022.
The HUD Exchange is the centralized site for program information, guidance, services and tools for HUD’s programs. It includes a resource library, FAQs, recorded trainings, and a portal to ask a question and request TA.
The National Housing Preservation Database is the only comprehensive list of nearly 80,000 federally supported housing properties across the U.S. At no cost, organizations can use the platform to search by geographic, funding, and property characteristics. Also offered are resources like the Affordable Housing Preservation Toolkit, and the downloadable state-level preservation profiles.
The Neighborhood Opportunity Search Tool was designed to help community leaders explore investment pathways in order to assist residents of affordable housing and increase economic mobility. The easy-to-use tool provides data on educational opportunity, job access, health outlook, transit acces, and neighborhood desirability.
Novogradac & Company LLP provides an online affordable housing tax credit resource center with comprehensive and up-to-date information.
The SAHF Multifamily Portfolio Carbon Emissions Calculator allows multifamily portfolio owners to calculate their annual greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent (“carbon emissions”). Plus, check out their new Toolkit for Resident-Centered Outcomes Measurement in Affordable Housing, which details how affordable housing providers can measure resident outcomes in ways that center equity and residents in the process.
Shelterforce has put together “Alphabet Soup,” a handy list that breaks down the most common housing and community development terms likely heard at your organization.
Strength Matters provides resources on best practices in accounting and financial reporting for CFOs and CPAs, boards, senior management and investors who work on affordable housing. It’s Resource Center includes papers, case studies, webinars, reports and other tools available through subscription.
The Urban Institute produces a very helpful Housing Hub that features up-to-date content like policy briefs, research reports, and useful fact sheets. Preventing and Mitigating Evictions after the COVID-19 Crisis report highlights 5 principles and promising practices to help guide property owners and operators as they seek financial stability of their properties while limiting eviction occurrence and avoiding harmful impact.
Viva Consulting offers asset management tools and helpful tips on its website. Viva’s team has authored many of CHAM’s asset management courses, and they specialize in helping clients craft real estate development strategies, improving property management operations, refinancing a struggling property or launching a new business line.