February 17, 2015
ABOUT
Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) has a primary mission to preserve and steward affordable rental housing to provide stability, hope and economic security to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Between 1965 and 1990, $60 billion in federal funding was invested in privately-owned, affordable rental homes for families, the disabled and the elderly. These homes were built in big cities, small towns and rural areas across the country. They were multi-story high-rises and single family bungalows. But all were built according to the same premise: that the government would provide funds to underwrite construction and operating costs, and in return, owners would promise that rents would be affordable to low income families and seniors on fixed incomes for the duration of the fixed financing period. Now more than four decades have passed, and the financial notes which built this housing are reaching “paid in full” status. With the expiration of each financing agreement, the leverage for keeping rents affordable is lost.
POAH seeks to intervene and forestall such losses, preserving this valuable and fragile asset for future generations. POAH also uses its preservation transactions to demonstrate how creative thinking and innovative financing can combine for the best outcomes. To the professionals at POAH, a deal is not just a deal. Navigating the complicated and highly regulated world of affordable housing finance is POAH’s proven route toward the goal of preserving and protecting these valuable and vulnerable homes for the future for those in need.
CONTACT
Preservation of Affordable Housing
777 N. Capitol Street NE, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20002
Maia Shanklin Roberts
LEARN MORE
www.poah.org