|
WHY APTFINDER.ORG
There was no one web site that served as a clearinghouse for all available affordable housing from 80% and below the median income range in the State of Washington.
Questions have been posed as to why such a simple idea as posting the available housing resources on a web site hadn't been done yet, and why couldn't it be done by some other housing service agency already in place?
Answers
- It has only been done in a piecemeal fashion. For example, the one government-sponsored existing affordable housing web site contains only FHA insured and Section 8 properties. Due to cutbacks in government budgets, these sites are not always maintained with up-to-date information.
- Also, many owners have had a long history with government housing programs, some of which has included legal conflicts, and are not prone to cooperate with any government agency sponsored web site.
- Service agencies usually have more on their agenda than just housing, so housing tends to be a side issue.
- Interestingly, we have found that there is competition among the non-profit housing developers, as well as the expected competition among the for-profit owners and managers, which we believe is a contributing factor to the lack of a central affordable housing web site.
THE HISTORY BEHIND MAP
The concept of MAP was first discussed by members of the Affordable Housing Management Association (AHMA) of Washington, who had prospective tenants calling them to complain that existing information sources were inaccurate or unavailable. Some of the AHMA board members and other housing professionals decided that a new affordable housing resource was needed, and that the best approach would be to gather all of the affordable housing information in one place on an internet web site. As a result, Multifamily Affordable Properties, or MAP, was formed in April of 1999 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the State of Washington. In July of 1999, MAP received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.
The board members of MAP themselves own, manage, or otherwise control a large number of affordable housing units. In addition, the board members have affiliations with AHMA, which represents owners and managers of 11,000 HUD units in Washington State, and the Washington State Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), which represents owners and managers of about 6,000 U.S.D.A. Rural Development (formerly the Farmers Home Administration) housing units in Washington.
In addition, several board members actively manage tax credit portfolios, which are prime candidates for the posting to this affordable housing web page. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has assisted in the production of over 35,000 units since its inception. Therefore, given the strength of MAP's affiliations and current business relationships, MAP can reasonably expect to offer for posting over 40,000 units of affordable housing in Washington State. We also expect to be able to post new affordable housing properties coming on-line, which will provide a "heads up" to people searching for affordable housing in those communities.
THE NEED
The following are significant reasons why it is important that this web site be created:
- From an applicant's perspective, there is no efficient way to locate available affordable housing resources.
- For agencies involved in assisting applicants, there is no single source available to refer their clients to affordable housing units. They are forced to rely on their own resources which may not be accurate or complete.
- For housing providers, especially in rural areas, there is no reliable way to advertise or market available units beyond traditional local newspapers. Affordable housing units are often available that are unknown to applicants.
- Section 8 contracts are expiring, giving some owners the opportunity to opt out of the program and convert their projects to market rate, therefore increasing the number of applicants searching for affordable housing. In fact, 1,457 units were lost last year according to the WA Low Income Housing Network and more are expected to be converted in the coming years.
- The one government sponsored existing affordable housing web site is not comprehensive and is not frequently updated. Only Section 8 and FHA insured properties are listed.
- Private housing providers that have their own web sites are limited - they only reflect properties within their own portfolio.
- There is a need for more collaboration between and among housing providers and other social service providers. Currently, there is not a free exchange of information on available housing.
- Traditional advertising costs for owners and managers of affordable housing properties are high, and have an adverse impact on limited operating budgets.
MAP will address these needs in the following ways:
- MAP's web site will provide a complete and accurate inventory of affordable housing in the Pacific Northwest available to applicants, supportive agencies and housing providers.
- MAP will provide a web master to consistently maintain the site with up-to-date information, including property's name and address, the name, phone, fax, and e-mail of the on-site manager, a description of the affordable housing program type and requirements, and the rental rates of the units.
- MAP will provide an economical and efficient means of listing housing, to reduce the need for expensive advertising.
- MAP will become a useful link both to and from affordable housing resources. Hyperlinks will be created to accomplish this.
- MAP is a user-friendly source, without a political agenda. Therefore, organizations are more inclined to collaborate and share information about their properties and their affordable housing resources.
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
HOW IS THIS ALL PAID FOR?
MAP's business plan during its start-up period is to use one-time donations from such community-oriented funders such as banks, service and advocacy organizations, semi-public government entities involved in housing, and private sources. No wages are paid to board members, and there are no benefits to board members other than having the opportunity to participate in MAP and the potential to transform affordable housing accessibility.
After the initial start up year is established through donations, a charge will be assessed to the listing company of $2.00 per unit per year to post their site on the web page. The $2.00 per unit charge would cover:
- The initial cost of input of their property's characteristics, contact information, waiting list information, etc.
- The cost of adding a picture to the web listing (submitted in an acceptable thumbnail size via disk or email)
- The cost of updates to the listing throughout the year (waiting list changes, contact changes, rent or subsidy changes, etc)
This per unit charge would be considered an allowable project expense under all regulating agencies, as all projects must advertise at one time or another. (Even HUD projects with three-year waiting lists must perform annual Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing advertising to comply with their agreements with HUD).
As income from our listing properties is generated, MAP will be able maintain it's sustainability. MAP's primary function in is to maintain the accuracy of the data base. This is so very important in this constantly changing housing industry.
In addition, MAP expects to be generating web site advertising income. One bank has already requested information on advertising costs because they believe that the web site will be a useful source for first time homebuyers.
Thank you for your current and continued support of this valuable new housing resource!
MAP'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:
Doug Repman
Quantum Management Services, Inc.
Post Office Box 2170
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 776-1294 FAX (425) 776-1073
Secretary/Treasurer:
Steve Utt
Watson & McDonnell
600 University St Ste 2828
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 624-2380
Directors:
Sheila King- Executive Director
P.O. Box 2053
Tacoma, WA 98401
(253) 383-3861 FAX (253) 396-0695
Joe Deihl
AHMA of Washington
11100 NE 8th Street # 410
Bellevue, WA 98004-4441
(425) 454-6836 FAX (425) 454-7695
Kathy Chaussee
Westwood Management & Development
Post Office Box 9
Redmond, WA 98073-0009
(425) 881-0646 FAX (425) 867-9638
FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Affordable Housing Management Association (AHMA) of Washington
• www.ahma-wa.org
Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program
1406 10th Avenue, Suite 101
Seattle, Washington 98122
(206) 329-7303 FAX (206) 329-1857
Frontier Bank
• www.frontierbank.com
KeyBank
• www.keybank.com
U.S. Bank
• www.usbank.com
Washington Mutual Foundation
• www.wamu.com
Washington State Council for Affordable & Rural Housing
• www.wa-carh.org
ENDORSERS
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HEARTILY ENDORSE THIS PROJECT:
- Affordable Housing Management Association (AHMA) of Washington
- AIMCO
- American Drapery, Blind & Carpet
- Automatic Laundry Company
- Blume Loveridge & Co., CPA's
- Cam-Bey Senior Apartments
- Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program
- Conifer Management, Inc.
- Cook & Company, P.S.
- Frontier Bank
- Housing Authority of the County of King
- KeyBank
- Meridian Manor Associates
- Merit Training & Consulting
- Pike Place Market PDA
- Plymouth Housing Group
- Quality Management, Inc.
- Quantum Management Services
- Royal Hills Associates
- Spectrum Seminars, Inc.
- United Cerebral Palsy of King/Snohomish Co.
- United Marketing, Inc.
- U.S. Bank
- Washington Mutual Foundation
- Washington State Council for Affordable & Rural Housing (WA-CARH)
- Washington State Housing Finance Commission
- Web Service Company, Inc.
- Westwood Management & Development
|
