Recognized as the largest community development and affordable housing coalition in the region, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) has worked for over 25 years to support member efforts in establishing housing equity and supportive services for in-need families and households throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Read more about HAND.
Media Room
If you are a member of the media, or simply someone who wants to know what’s going on in your area, HAND is a valuable resource to all who are interested in understanding community development dynamics in our region.
HAND members are inspiring and informative. Read our Member Spotlights and keep up-to-date on vital issues impacting our region with Matters@HAND, our thought leadership series sponsored by Enterprise & Bellwether Enterprise of Lisa Sturtevant & Associates, LLC.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of HUD.
The HAND network is hard at work to address the growing housing affordability challenge across the Capital Region. Five Minutes With is a series highlighting these members and other stakeholders. This informal conversation delves into their recent projects, the affordable housing industry, and more.
In this edition, we had the pleasure of chatting with Lauren Marcus, Partner at Tiber Hudson. Take a look at our dialogue below to discover Lauren’s journey in the industry, her work with institutional lenders, bond underwriters, developers, and municipal issuers, and insights on public speaking and the importance of mentorship.
HAND: Congratulations on your new role as Partner at Tiber Hudson! Can you tell us about your journey to this point, particularly your work with institutional lenders, bond underwriters, developers, and municipal issuers? LM: I love talking about my journey to this point because, looking back on the spring of 2016, when I graduated from law school, I never thought I would be here. I graduated from GW Law without a job offer and a “B” grade point average, which seriously felt like the kiss of death. During that summer, I studied for the bar exam, and once the exam was over, I started my job search. I saw a posting for a fellowship position in the Official of the General Counsel at the DC Housing Authority (DCHA); I applied and was hired within two weeks! I really enjoyed my time at DCHA, and it was especially meaningful because I was given the opportunity to interact with so many residents. There is nothing more gratifying than helping someone put their voucher to work after being on a waitlist for 10+ years.
After about 18 months, I was ready to make the jump to the private sector. While working on an affordable housing deal (representing DCHA as the developer), I had my first interaction with Kent Neumann, a founding member of Tiber Hudson LLC. He explained a complex bond structure to the working group, which immediately caught my interest. After that meeting, my resume made its way to Kent (thanks to one of my amazing mentors), and the rest is history! This June, I’ll celebrate 6 years at Tiber Hudson. From day one, I was thrown into all of the action. At certain firms, younger associates aren’t given the opportunity to interact with major clients at meetings, conferences, etc. But at Tiber Hudson, the partners were intentional about building my confidence early on. We’re a boutique law firm, so associates are tasked with managing deals from start to finish early in their careers. That allowed me to start building key relationships with our underwriter, developer, and lender clients. I’ve gained their trust and respect over the last 6 years, and I attribute that to the latitude I was given to be so hands-on and independent during my early days at Tiber.
HAND:How did your previous role prepare you for this new position?
LM: Although my title is new, my day-to-day hasn’t changed. At Tiber Hudson, we close about 250 deals a year. In light of that volume, all of the attorneys take a very hands-on approach to our transactions. Whether it’s document drafting and negotiation, cash flow preparation, or obtaining a rating from a rating agency, we oversee it all. As I’ve progressed at the firm, I’ve taken on more client relationships and business-building opportunities. My prior position as a senior associate certainly helped me hone my skills in these areas. Now, as a partner, I have even more confidence in my abilities as a public finance attorney.
HAND:The announcement mentions that you have been a featured speaker at industry conferences. Could you share some insights or key takeaways from one of these speaking engagements? LM: Answering this question makes me smile because I used to HATE public speaking! As I alluded to earlier, my partners have always been intentional about including me in every aspect of our business. With practice, I’ve become more confident in my abilities as a public speaker and subject matter expert. One of my main takeaways is that accepting theseopportunities is an excellent way to promote your firm and your “brand” as an attorney/expert within the industry. I am always pleasantly surprised at the positive feedback I receive from industry folks when they’ve listened to one of my presentations. Public speaking has given me a greater appreciation of how speaking engagements drive business and distinguish Tiber Hudson from others in the industry.
HAND: Tiber Hudson is described as a leader in the affordable housing industry. What do you think sets the firm apart from others in the industry, and how do you see yourself contributing to its ongoing success?
LM: Tiber Hudson prides itself on being proactive—as opposed to reactive—when it comes to changing trends in the industry. Inside and outside of the firm, I feel so fortunate to work with an amazing group of thought leaders and innovators in this space. I never want to be the smartest person in the “room,” and I believe that good people and good energy attract the same. Having a mastery of bond finance is certainly important, but ultimately, I believe that being a good person goes a long way in attracting and maintaining client relationships. My work at Tiber Hudson has connected me with many talented individuals, many of whom have become great friends. The cultivation of genuine friendships in the industry is one way I hope to continue to add to the success of the firm.
HAND: Since it is this month is Women’s History Month, can you discuss any contributions or advancements made by s in the field of affordable housing that have inspired or influenced your work? LM: I’m so happy that this question gives me a chance to shout out two amazing African American women in this industry: Alethia Nancoo, Partner in the Public & Infrastructure Finance practice group at Squire Patton Boggs and Anitra Androh, Partner in the Real Estate and Affordable Housing practice group at Polsinelli PC. Alethia and Anitra have been mentoring me since the spring of 2018. Back then, I was doubtful about securing a job at a major law firm because I didn’t graduate at the top of my law school class. Both women have been so selfless in their mentorship, including reviewing my resume, connecting me with members of their network and even conducting mock job interviews! They’ve both created such big names for themselves in DC and around the country, despite facing adversity and unique challenges in their careers. I’ve certainly been a beneficiary of their dedication to supporting younger Black women in the fieldand as I progress in the industry, I hope to pay it forward and do the same.
HAND: What is your “why”? What keeps you motivated to continue your work in this space? LM: My early days practicing at the DC Housing Authority laid an amazing foundation for my work in affordable housing. As a Legal Fellow and later Associate Attorney in the General Counsel’s office, I was often given the opportunity to work one-on-one with public housing residents. Public housing residents are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our city because for generations, many have been victims of economic disenfranchisement and gentrification that fails to incorporate their voices and values into the fabric of their revitalized communities. Working at DCHA really solidified my goal of building more equitable neighborhoods. It is the end-user of the housing product that I help to create that serves as my “why” each day.
HAND:What might you be doing if you weren’t working in this industry?
LM: If I wasn’t working in the industry, I would be living and working on an animal sanctuary. I LOVE animals, big and small. My husband and I foster dogs through the local Humane Rescue Alliance, and it brings me so much joy. With more free time and a larger space, I would foster and rehabilitate animals full–time. The idea of an innocent animal suffering breaks my heart, so I’ll take as many animals as possible!
The HAND network is hard at work to address the growing housing affordability challenge across the Capital Region. Five Minutes With is a series highlighting these members and other stakeholders. This informal conversation delves into their recent projects, the affordable housing industry, and more. In this edition, we had the pleasure of chatting with David Nisivoccia, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Volunteers of America National Services. Take a look at our dialogue below.
HAND: Congratulations on your new role with Volunteers of America (VOA)! Tell us more about your background and your organization’s work. David: I’m happy to be returning to the DMV, having grown up in Northern Virginia. I’ve spent most of my career working on behalf of public housing authorities, including Fairfax, San Antonio, and most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Denver Housing Authority. I’m just wrapping up my first 100 days in this position at VOA, and I’m already amazed at the breadth and depth of housing, healthcare and human services provided by the team. I’ve had the opportunity to travel across the country, visiting our programs and housing sites, and a key commonality across these communities is the consistent undersupply of affordable housing.
Founded in 1896, Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit organization that serves more than 1.5 million people in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. VOA National Services is a wholly owned affiliate and one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of quality affordable housing, with a portfolio of 13,000 units across 38 states and Puerto Rico, as well as senior healthcare facilities and other related community health programs.
HAND: Having worked all over the country, you certainly have seen the housing landscape in different markets. What are some of the trends you have noticed? David: More than 20 million American renters today are burdened with housing costs. As a result, the average family is extremely sensitive to economic volatility and is even susceptible to homelessness should their household face acute financial challenges. This is especially true here in the District and the surrounding region. With significantly more of the average household’s income going toward housing, that means less money is available for transportation, groceries, healthcare, childcare, and especially savings that could protect folks in times of crisis. Affordable housing is one of the most significant societal challenges of our time – and we aren’t going to build our way out of it fast enough using traditional methods or doing business as usual.
HAND: What are some of the biggest challenges when it comes to building more affordable housing for those priced out of the current market? David: The National Multifamily Housing Council estimates that 4.3 million new rental homes are needed by 2035 to meet the demand. The challenges are stark: rising interest rates and construction costs, tumultuous equity markets, strong opposition to densifying neighborhoods, limited soft funding and oversubscribed bond cap, an overwhelmed and under-resourced workforce. We must use every single tool in the toolbox, and invent new ones that address the challenge from both the supply and demand sides. We need both carrots and sticks … accelerated entitlements and expedited permitting; efficiently-designed housing; modular and manufactured housing solutions, and new capital stacks that can work well together. And we need new partnerships, and opportunities for mixed-use projects that leverage capital markets and affordable housing programs.
HAND: There certainly is no shortage of challenges facing our sector. What is Volunteers of America doing here in the Capital Region to increase the supply of supportive affordable housing? David: In partnership with Hoffman & Associates, D.C. United, and the D.C. Government, Volunteers of America is thrilled to relocate our national headquarters into the emerging Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest D.C., where we will bring together more than 100 full-time employees, co-located with 110 units of deeply-affordable senior housing operated by Volunteers of America National Services. Of these units, 69 out of 110 units will be set aside for seniors earning 30 percent AMI or less, which we believe is the most critical tier of residents to house.
We are currently exploring strategies to implement best-in-class technology supports to help address social determinants of health. The building is designed to achieve LEED for Multifamily certification, and every single unit will be accessible, allowing residents to age in place and take advantage of built-in infrastructure as their mobility and health needs change. The project also will include market rate multifamily and retail. We are excited to expand our reach in the District of Columbia and bring our national expertise to support local initiatives in the city.
HAND: Why is it important for Volunteers of America to move from your current headquarters in Northern Virginia into the District of Columbia, at Buzzard Point? David: In a time of significant office vacancy and hybrid work, Volunteers of America will bring a commercial office presence to DC, as one of our greatest strengths as an organization is being “in-community,” leveraging relationships, trust and connections in the communities we serve. We recognize the value of human connection, as that is what we do every day with the people we serve. Co-locating our staff teams with affordable housing and services in the District is a reflection of our commitment to ensuring we are “in-community,” connected on a daily basis to the communities we live in, work in and have the pleasure to serve. We plan to continue our work as a public policy partner and thought leader in advocacy efforts around affordable housing, making our voices heard and ensuring policies work well for industry practitioners like yourselves.
I look forward to growing our presence in the DMV, and working with all of you to answer the call for meeting the region’s affordable housing needs.
Payments: Orders placed on the event registration page are not confirmed until payment is received. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address listed in your registration. If you paid by credit card, a receipt will be sent to the email address listed in your registration. If you mail a check, all payments must be received within seven days of completing your registration form. Checks should be remitted to: HAND, PO Box 48386, Washington, DC 20002
Guest List & Dietary Preference: If your registration includes a luncheon table or multiple guests, please submit guest names and menu choices by May 1, 2020. Submit guest names here.
Omni Shoreham Hotel Room Block: For attendees looking to secure overnight accommodations on May 25th, HAND has secured a rate starting at $189 for conference attendees. There are a limited amount of rooms available, so visit this link todayto reserve your room. May 10th is the last day to secure a room at the discounted rate.
Cancellations & Changes: If you wish to cancel or change your registration for the Annual Meeting & Housing Expo, please send a request in writing to annualmeeting@handhousing.org. All cancellation requests made prior to April 27th will receive a 50% refund. For cancellation requests made after April 27th, no refund will be provided.
Door Prizes: Are you interested in donating a door prize to this year’s Annual Meeting? Email annualmeeting@handhousing.org to coordinate with our team.
HAND is excited to welcome our members and partners back to the Kennedy Center this year for the 33rd Annual HAND Honors– an evening of inspiration, connection and celebration. HAND Honors not only provides the place and space for our members to network and build the relationships that are essential to accomplishing our shared mission of creating a more equitable region, but also serves as our largest annual fundraiser. Through your support of HAND Honors, we are able to continue designing and executing 70 plus annual training and capacity building events, activating our members through important policy initiatives like the Housing Indicator Tool, and convening our members at cultivation events like this one.
The theme of HAND Honors isIn This Together. We know that the obstacles our communities face cannot be solved alone, and there is no single solution to the housing affordability crisis. Together, we can build equitable homes that are affordable to our neighbors. Together, we can lead with housing first and collaborate on thoughtful, engaging resident services. Together, we can commit to racial equity and hold one another accountable. Together, we can make sure we have a lasting impact on the communities we serve, creating spaces where residents not only live, but thrive.
During the 33rd Annual HAND Honors, we will come together to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Housing Achievement Awardees, and we’ll honor the winners of the GenerationHAND Scholarship and the Children’s Essay Contest – all of which always inspire us to keep doing this work and give us hope for the future. We’re in this together, and we can’t wait to be back together at The Kennedy Center!
The Housing Achievement Awards recognize housing developments, leaders, and solutions across the Capital Region. We are excited to celebrate your outstanding achievements over the last year! During the program, we will also honor the GenerationHAND Scholarship winner(s) and the winner of the Children’s Essay Contest.
Thank you to our Housing Achievement Award Judges!
HAND is proud to host the GenerationHAND Scholarship for the second year! The scholarship is awarded to college-bound high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, drive,
and a commitment to using their talents to serve our communities. HAND is able to support these students through generous contributions from members like YOU! We encourage you to donate below to lift up our future leaders – every bit helps!
Thank you to our GenerationHAND Scholarship Judges!
Claudia Wilson Randall, Executive Director, Community Development Network of Maryland. Claudia has a long history in community development in Maryland. She was the Director of Housing Counseling & Operations for Southeast Community Development Corporation, and worked for Maryland DHCD in the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. Claudia was the Deputy Director of the Maryland Center for Community Development, the precursor to CDN today. Claudia has a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and lives in Baltimore City.
Michael Scheurer was most recently the Executive Vice President of the Cornerstones Housing Corporation/Cornerstones Inc. located in Reston, Virginia and serving Northern Virginia. He also served as the Virginia Housing Development Authority’s Northern Virginia Community Outreach Officer. Prior to this position he served as the Senior Deputy Director for the Fannie Mae Washington Metropolitan Community Business Center. Michael also served as the Director of Multifamily Finance for the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, DC and was the Director of Development and Real Estate Finance for the Department of Housing and Community Development in Fairfax County, Virginia for over 13 years. During his tenure, the local housing finance and community development agency financed, developed, and preserved over 4000 units of affordable housing and other community facilities utilizing a variety of private and public financing sources.
Michael is the former Manager of Real Estate Finance for the American Bankers Association in Washington, DC and was the Director of the Community Development/Housing Authority in Anderson, Indiana. He has also been active on a number of non-profit boards and public policy task forces working on a variety of affordable housing issues in the Capital Region. He is a former president and board member of the Washington Housing Association of Non-Profit Developers (HAND)
Michael holds a BS and Masters Degree from Ball State University in Urban and Regional Planning.
Nancy Rase Consulting Services began in 2015 as a service to help nonprofit organizations and governments entities provide decent affordable housing to households of low and moderate income. The organization served many government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout the country. Consulting work was discontinued at the end of 2023. Nancy Rase is a co-founder, Director Emeritus, and the former President and CEO of Homes for America, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt housing development corporation located in Annapolis, Maryland. During her tenure from September 1994 through October 2015 the organization developed or preserved 75 rental communities with nearly 7,000 apartment homes in the mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware.
Previously Ms. Rase was the Deputy Director and Director of Housing Development of the Maryland housing finance agency, the Community Development Administration for 15 years. During her 15 years at CDA Ms. Rase also managed CDA’s rehabilitation loan programs. Prior to joining CDA Ms. Rase was an assistant manager at the Housing Authority of the City of Hagerstown for 7 years.
She has a BS in Finance from the University of Baltimore.
Ms. Rase is retired and shares her experience and knowledge by serving on a variety of nonprofit Boards of national, regional and local organizations, and is on Development and Investment Committees of multiple nonprofit organizations. She currently serves on the boards and/or committees of Volunteers of America National Services, Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, Arundel Community Development Services, Community Homes Housing, Inc, and Chesapeake Neighbors, an affiliate of the ARC of the Chesapeake.
William Ferrell serves as Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager for Bank of America’s Tax Credit Syndication and Investment team, where he is responsible for the origination of Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity through syndication partners, the direct delivery of Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and the secondary execution of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), that spur the development and preservation of affordable housing, historic properties, and various commercial and community facilities nationwide. Will also serves as a Community Volunteer Champion and as a member of the Commercial Real Estate Banking (CREB) division’s Diversity & Inclusion Council.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Ferrell served as Senior Relationship Manager for the Bank’s Mid-Atlantic Community Development Banking team, where he delivered construction and permanent debt, tax credit equity, and other financing solutions for affordable multi-family housing, mixed-use/mixed-income developments, and charter school facilities across the country. Throughout his 20+ year career, Will has held numerous other roles with real estate finance and banking institutions, including PNC Real Estate, Fannie Mae, and Comerica Bank.
Will’s community and industry engagement includes serving as Board Member of Housing Up, member of the Jackie Robinson Foundation’s Scholar Advisory Committee, HAND’s Braintrust Committee, and AHIC’s Underwriting Committee.
Will earned his BBA in Finance at Texas Tech University, MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and Master of Real Estate from Georgetown University.
Robert Margolis has 40 years of real estate development and property management experience. He holds an MBA in finance from American University and a BSBA in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver.
Bob is the owner and CEO of TM ASSOCIATES, which has developed over 100 HUD, USDA, and conventional tax credit properties. Bob and TM currently owns and/or operates over 18,400 apartments in over 429 affordable rental communities located in 15 states plus the District of Columbia. Bob is the largest owner of the USDA Section 515 program.
Quinn Geisler serves as director of development for The Community Builders Mid-Atlantic region, a position she has held since 2023. Quinn directs real estate development activities and manages project management staff in Washington D.C., Maryland and Philadelphia.
Quinn joined TCB in 2021 as a senior project manager, leading neighborhood-scale revitalization projects, including the noteworthy Park Morton in Washington, D.C. Before that, she served as project manager and later as vice president at Telesis Corporation, where she managed a portfolio with a $230 million development cost and more than 1,200 affordable housing units. Quinn also served as development manager and financial analyst at Dantes Partners where she oversaw seven projects with a $200 million development cost and more than 575 affordable housing units. Quinn began her career as a program officer at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), where she supported lending activities, vetted tenant purchase projects, and managed grantmaking for community development.
Quinn holds a master’s degree in public policy and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from American University in Washington, D.C. She is co-chair of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development’s rental housing working group.
