By Callahan Seltzer, CDSC

Maurice Mason, director of the N.E. 2nd Street Cooperative

On September 17, Washington Grantmakers’ Community Development Support Collaborative (CDSC) joined current funders, members of  Washington Grantmakers, and neighborhood partners to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing resident-owned affordable housing cooperatives in the District. Our host for this edition of the CDSC Know Your Neighborhoods Tour was one of our newest neighborhood partners, University Legal Services (ULS).

We met with Cooperative residents, leadership, and service providers who are helping the tenants manage their multifamily properties. At the N.E. 2^nd Street Cooperative, Inc., ULS is helping Cooperative leaders with asset management services including governance training, monthly management reviews, and tax relief assistance.  At the 1820 California Street Cooperative, resident leadership told us that without guidance and support from ULS, they would have been duped into selling their homes and displaced from their neighborhood by a former property manager. Instead, these 17 households are now some of the most affordable housing units available in their Adams Morgan neighborhood.

Mike Dinkin, program manager with University Legal Services, speaks with funders.

Over the past 25 years, with assistance from nonprofit housing organizations, approximately 100 resident-led cooperatives have been established, providing housing to over 4000 families in wards throughout the City. During this time, ULS has acted as the prime contractor for DHCD’s Tenant Purchase Technical Assistance Program. Since the inception of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) in the early 1980s, ULS has been a key player in helping City residents in multifamily buildings stabilize their living situations–either through the purchase of their buildings or through negotiating and enforcing improved living conditions. With ongoing support, training, and access to professional services, ULS is helping these resident-led cooperatives improve and capitalize on their physical, financial, and human assets.

“A commitment to significant city-wide multifamily ownership requires resources and ongoing support beyond the financing and purchase of the building,” said Martin Mellett, director of the CDSC. “The training of the leadership of resident-led cooperatives is preserving affordable housing in the District and enhancing the quality of life in their neighborhoods.”

By Martin Mellett, Director, Community Development Support Collaborative

On Tuesday evening the DC City Council approved in a unanimous vote a first reading of a bill that would create a permanent floor for the Housing Production Trust Fund–$70 million for next year and $100 million for future years. This is a major victory for affordable housing. In the wake of a number of affordable housing cuts last week, we thought this was not going to move forward. But advocates packed the city council yesterday morning, made a bunch of calls, and visited council members. It paid off.

From the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED):

“Yesterday, November 18, 2008 the Council voted unanimously (all 13 members) to approve Bill 17-0943 the “Housing Production Trust Fund Stabilization Amendment Act of 2008”… The passage of this bill and follow through by the Mayor and Council to fund it would assure that the Trust Fund will have stable funding for years to come, and a unanimous vote by the Council speaks volumes about their support of affordable housing. A final vote on the bill will take place in December.”

For background, read about Washington Grantmakers’ testimony at the Oct. 20 Council hearing on this subject.

(l to r) Martin Mellet, director, CDSC; David Bowers, co-chair, CDSC (Enterprise Community Partners); Oramenta Newsome, director, DC LISC

At a D.C. City Council hearing on Oct. 20, Washington Grantmakers (WG) testified in support of stabilizing funds for the production and preservation of affordable housing in the District. Martin Mellett, director of the Community Development Support Collaborative – a project of WG – testified from the perspective of philanthropy:

“If the Trust Fund is not increased and stabilized, nonprofit housing developers will not be able to secure adequate financing to complete projects in their current pipelines. Not only would affordable housing production and preservation decrease, the District of Columbia would lose the leverage of philanthropic dollars to nonprofit organizations.”  [Click for full testimony]

The Housing Production Stabilization Amendment Act of 2008, authored by Councilmember Barry and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Graham, Brown, Cheh, Bowser, Alexander, and Thomas, will require the city to strengthen the Housing Production Trust Fund by establishing a base contribution of $100 million annually to be drawn from deed and recordation taxes. A number of nonprofit housing developers, including SOME and Mi Casa, testified to the critical role that the Trust Fund has played in recent years to support the development and preservation of affordable housing – especially in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Over 200 residents, nonprofit organizations, and other interested stakeholders attended the nine hour hearing.

For analysis released by the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development and the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, please click here.

With DC’s FY 2009 budget season in full swing, Washington Grantmakers and the Community Development Support Collaborative (CDSC) sent letters to City Council members in support of the Mayor’s proposed budget for affordable housing. Following are the recommendations and eventual outcome: Continue reading “Grantmakers advocate for affordable housing” →