Spring Newsletter!

Celebrating Our 25th Year!

WI-CARH Spring 2024

Newsletter

Message from Russell Kaney WI-CARH President

Lions and Lambs

Welcome to the busy month of March! The “in like a lion, out like a lamb” saying may hold sometimes, the Farmers’ Almanac explains, because March is typically when we see the transition between winter and spring. This year’s spring equinox – the first day of spring for the Northern Hemisphere – falls on March 19. With record or near record high temperatures in February, maybe the proverb needs updating?

March is the bridge between winter and spring. Daylight savings time began on March 10, St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, spring begins March 19 and Easter Sunday wraps up the month on March 31. But April brings lots of activities also including our WI-CARH sponsored training on April 24-25 at the Doubletree Hotel in Madison. See a full description later in the newsletter. We hope to see you there.

Congratulations to WI-CARH for being recognized as the State Affiliated Association of the Year by the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing. Thanks to Rob Dicke and Russ Endres for making the trip to South Carolina to accept the award. I am biased but I believe the award is well deserved.

WI-CARH is celebrating a 25^th anniversary. Organizations only sustain themselves if they have a purpose and have the support of members like you. Management of affordable housing is not easy. Dealing with property issues, budgets and compliance issues are monthly concerns. But the real expertise comes in managing the residents who occupy the much-needed affordable housing in Wisconsin. Thanks for all you do to elevate the lives of Wisconsinites. Enjoy your spring!

Russell Kaney

President

WI-CARH Recognized as State Affiliated Association of the Year by the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH)

The State Affiliated Association of the Year Award recognizes and encourages excellence in the programs, services, and management of CARH’s seventeen state-affiliated associations. Each year, all state-affiliated associations in good standing are eligible to apply for the award. CARH’s Awards Committee (with input from CARH national office staff) selects a recipient. The State Affiliated Association of the Year Award is presented each January at a special ceremony at CARH’s Mid-Year Meeting. A plaque recognizing all recipients also hangs in the CARH national headquarters office.

WI-CARH previously won this award in 2011. WI-CARH is honored to have been selected for this award as we enter our 25^th year of activities. Rob Dicke, Vice President of WI-CARH (Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp.), and Russ Endres, Secretary of WI-CARH (Wisconsin Management Company) represented WI-CARH at the Mid-Year CARH conference in Charleston, South Carolina on January 30^th. Congratulations to WI-CARH!

WI-CARH is Celebrating 25 Years!

The Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (WI-CARH) was established in 1999 as a state chapter of the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of rural and affordable housing throughout the United States of America. WI-CARH celebrates its’ 25^th anniversary this year.

Thank you to Maddie Ace from Wisconsin Management Company for designing WI-CARH's 25th Anniversary logo.

25 Years of WI-CARH Trivia

WI-CARH has held an annual on-site conference each year since 1999. In what areas of the state has the conferences been held?

Answer

Name the venues where the annual conferences have been held.

Answers

Join your housing colleagues for the 2024 Spring Training sessions sponsored by WI-CARH. Wisconsin Council for Affordable & Rural Housing (WI-CARH) is proud to team up with US Housing Consultants for their expertise and excellent training services. We will also have a session with FHLBank Chicago on Community Investment Programs – AHP & DPP.

Gary Kirkman from US Housing Consultants returns to Wisconsin to be our featured speaker for two full days. Gary will be spending the first day on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA). Our second day will be devoted to funding opportunities through the Federal Home Loan Bank-Chicago with Karen Liu-Yates and continuing Gary’s discussion on topics such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), student financial assistance, tenant selection, zero-income applicants, and more.

Day 1

8:00-8:30 - Registration

8:30 - Noon - Session

Noon - 1:00 pm - Lunch on Your Own

1:00 - 4:00 pm - Session

Day 2

8:00-12:00 Noon - Session

Noon - 1:00 pm - Lunch on Your Own

1:00 - 3:00 pm - Session

Topics that will be covered include but are not limited to:

Understanding HOTMA's Impact on Major Affordable Housing Programs – Gary Kirkman

HUD's Final Rule on HOTMA results in massive changes in how we determine household eligibility. While this is a HUD rule, it is critical to understand that HOTMA does not only affect HUD Programs, but it also has a major impact on other affordable housing programs as well.

Prepare for the Changes to LIHTC, HUD, HOME, NHTF, and RD Programs – Gary Kirkman

While there are many training options out there regarding HOTMA, this session does not focus only on the HUD programs but will provide a comprehensive and FUN training that will include a detailed review of the HOTMA changes and how such changes impact the determination of annual income when establishing household eligibility for the following major affordable housing programs:

HUD Multifamily Housing
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
HOME Funds & Housing Trust Funds
Rural Development Housing Programs

What You'll Need to Know About HOTMA – Gary Kirkman

Topics include, but are not limited to:

Changes regarding the treatment of Foster Children & Adults
Changes to the Determination of Annual Income
Changes to the Treatment of Household Assets
Changes to the Determination of Adjusted Income Asset Limitation - Section 8 Only (including 202/8)
Changes to Determining Annual Income at Recertification for HUD Properties
Changes to Conducting Interim Recertifications for HUD Properties

FHLBank Chicago Community Investment Programs – AHP & DPP – Karen Liu-Yates

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) provides grants and funding tools to support affordable housing and economic development initiatives through the Bank’s member institutions to community partners across Wisconsin and Illinois. This session will take a comprehensive dive into the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and the Downpayment Plus (DPP®) Program. AHP is a competitive grant of up to $2,000,000 for the purchase, construction, and/or rehabilitation of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. DPP is a grant of up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for homebuyers at or below 80% AMI. The presentation will provide an overview of each program, discuss real-life project examples, and talk through actionable next steps to see if AHP and DPP can be a resource for the housing work you do!

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – Gary Kirkman

Residents of affordable housing programs are often among the most vulnerable populations, and protection for victims of domestic violence is one of the most important advancements in HUD requirements. The rules in VAWA create real-world protections for residents and affirm the affordable housing industry’s responsibility to provide leadership and direction on making sure domestic violence victims have proper resources, support, and a safe place to call home.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

Overview of Legislative History
Covered Housing Programs
Key Terminology
VAWA Protection Provisions, including:
Denial of tenancy or assistance
Termination of assistance or tenancy
Lease Bifurcation
Emergency Transfers
Notification and documentation requirements

Fees

WI-CARH Members: $450 or three or more at $425

Non-Members: $485 or three or more at $460

Payment

Payment can be made via PayPal or by check. Please make check payable to: WI-CARH, P.O. Box 258098, Madison, WI 53725. Credit cards are not accepted.

Meet the Speakers

Gary Kirkman has acquired over 17 years of valuable leadership experience within the affordable housing industry and now serves as the Director of Compliance Training for US Housing Consultants.

Having started in the industry as a Regional Property Manager, Mr. Kirkman managed Rural Development and HUD properties before being promoted to Training Specialist, where he was responsible for overseeing multiple affordable communities while training personnel on affordable housing programs.

Mr. Kirkman later became a Training Director and was responsible for developing company policies and procedures and overseeing the training program. In that position, Mr. Kirkman aided owners and developers in speaking at town councils and public meetings to establish new affordable housing properties in the needed areas.

Prior to becoming a compliance trainer, Mr. Kirkman was an award-winning Community Manager and was awarded Best Overall Compliance in Affordable Housing for the Southeast Region for a property management company portfolio.

Mr. Kirkman is an experienced and engaging public speaker. He conducts public and private trainings and speaks at housing conferences providing training on all major affordable housing programs.

Mr. Kirkman has received praise from former colleagues who have stated, “He has the ability to learn complex compliance requirements and teach them in a manner that others can learn” and “Because of his positive disposition, his reflective way of operating, and all of the character traits that make him so special, Gary’s questions never go unanswered, and his searches always bring him to exciting new discoveries.”

Karen Liu-Yates is a Senior Community Investment Programs Specialist at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) and has been supporting community investment activities across Wisconsin and Illinois over the last three years. She leads outreach and technical assistance for the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), Downpayment Plus (DPP) Program, and co-manages the Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP). Karen’s background is in urban planning and non-profit work and loves opportunities to connect with practitioners in the affordable housing industry.

Location of Spring Training and Hotel

The spring training will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 4402 East Washington Ave., Madison WI 53704.

Hotel Information: To make a hotel reservation, call the hotel directly at (608) 244-4703 or Hilton reservations at 800-445-8667, mentioning the Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing or code 90B. Alternatively, you can book online at

Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing Reservation Booking Link.

Join us as a Sponsor at WI-CARH's Spring Training

You are invited to join us as a Sponsor at the 2024 Spring Training on April 24-25, 2024. Please consider signing up today to be a Sponsor and help make this education and training opportunity affordable to all in the rural housing industry.

Please click on Register as a Sponsor to complete the form. Contact the WI-CARH office at info@wicarh.org for more information.

Thank you to the 2024 Spring Training Sponsor

Please click on logo to go to the sponsors website

Infrastructure Access Loan Program

New information for the Infrastructure Access funding opportunity!

WHEDA is pleased to announce that award plans and term sheets are now available on wheda.com for the Infrastructure Access Loan Program. Documents are available for both developers and governmental units. Please review the documents to ensure that your projects fulfill the requirements. The application for Infrastructure Access funding will be available at the end of March. Watch your email for a special invitation to our launch event on March 28.

But wait, there’s more…

Need funds for bringing new life and housing to a main street building or revitalizing an underutilized or vacant commercial property? The second round of Restore Main Street and Vacancy-to-Vitality funding will open concurrently with the first round of Infrastructure Access. Applications will open simultaneously and have the same deadline for review.

Get prepared now!

Set up your Procorem WorkCenter while waiting for the application period to open. Developers and governmental units intending to apply for the first round of Infrastructure Access funding and other funding opportunities through WHEDA must complete this form and submit it to our tech team at CLproductsupport@wheda.com for each project and each resource requested. You will receive email confirmation that your WorkCenter has been created. Once your WorkCenter has been created, you can continue to use it for future funding rounds for all programs.

View the available information:

Infrastructure Access | Restore Main Street | Vacancy-to-Vitality

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

1-800-334-6873 | www.wheda.com

2023 Rural Development Multifamily Housing Annual Occupancy Report

Each year, the Rural Housing Service completes an extensive report on the statistics of the Section 515 RRH portfolio as well as the Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing properties. Broken down by state, it covers a host of categories including number of projects, average incomes, occupancy, demographics and more.

Wisconsin had 289 Section 515 projects as of 9/30/2023. These projects provide housing for 6,999 households and 7,640 residents. Of the total 6,999 households, 4,892 households receive rental assistance. The average income for a household is $16,965. The average household income for a rental assisted unit is $14,053.

Just over 83% of units are occupied by seniors and/or residents with disabilities. Ninety-three percent (93%) of units are occupied across the state.

Click here for the complete report including data from the past three fiscal years.

WI-CARH 2024 Residential Lease Is Available

The WI-CARH Lease is available and approved for use in any Rural

Development supervised property. Using this lease for your property will ensure that you are in compliance with Wisconsin law and RD regulations while saving you the expense of hiring a lawyer to do the same thing. Just like last year, it is available in three formats:

FHA Software Generated Lease - WI-CARH has teamed up with Simply Computer Software to give FHA Software users the access and ability to generate their WI-CARH Residential Lease and Amendments forms within their FHA Software program. Users of this program can generate the lease through the RD 3560-8 Tenant Certification - PRINT options window. All of the applicable project, unit and tenant information will automatically be inserted.

Stand-alone WI-CARH Lease Generation Program - A link will be sent to you from Simply Computer Software that will allow you to download and install the WI-CARH Lease Generation Program which includes pre-entered property listing information you provided. To produce a lease, just open the program, select the property, enter pertinent tenant information, and print.

Paper Lease - A package of 10 leases and 10 amendments will be shipped to you which you will use to handwrite all pertinent tenant information.

To purchase the lease, complete the lease order form and mail it in with your payment to the WI-CARH Office at: P.O. Box 258098, Madison, WI 53725.

Youth Activities and Scholarship Funding Available

Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing has funding to help you in your extracurricular activities, and scholarships to continue your education beyond high school.

Download the attached flyer and post it in your lobby or breakrooms. On the flyer, there is a QR code that can be scanned to tell us more about what you would like to do and how we can help you achieve your goal.

Become a 2024 Member of WI-CARH

Renew your Membership today! Not a current member? Now is a great time to join!

WI-CARH is dedicated to assisting you in the rural housing industry.

Through your membership, you help support an organization made up of your peers and housing professionals both within the State of Wisconsin and nationally. WI-CARH members include builders, developers, lenders,

management companies, owners, non-profit agencies, and vendors. You also have the opportunity to meet industry leaders and to align yourself with a diverse group of businesspeople involved in every sector of the affordable housing community.

When you become a member of WI-CARH, you gain access to important tools, information, and services. The monetary benefits range from discounts on conferences, training, and leases to savings through the CARH Preferred Buyers Club program.

More information on the benefits of membership can be found on our website.

Welcome New WI-CARH Member!

Please join us in welcoming the following new member:

Polk County Housing Authority

Jenifer Cockroft, Executive Director

Save the Date - WI-CARH's 25th Annual Fall Conference

WI-CARH's 25th Annual Fall Conference will be held on October 24, 2024 at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. More information to come.