Connect with us: 855-NAHC 123
When it comes to affordable housing in North Carolina, there are a number of laws, programs, rules, and regulations surrounding them that you must know about to remain in the good graces of local, state, and federal officials so you don't unnecessarily encounter compliance issues which can expose yourself to legal or financial liability (or both). Doing so could affect your ability to receive low-income housing tax credits necessary to generate income from affordable rentals.
Having affordable housing certifications, like a LIHTC certification, can ensure you have a strong foundational knowledge of certain federal laws, the Internal Revenue Code, and other regulations you must abide by, and that is why our NAH Consultants team has taken the time to secure them.
Some of the many affordable housing certifications our Greensboro, NC team members at NAH Consultants have include:
COS (Certified Occupancy Specialist)
Often considered the most desired certification within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) space, individuals who secure the COS (Certified Occupancy Specialist) designation are often viewed as having a thorough mastery of Office of Multifamily Housing Programs regulations and guidelines, such as the Fair Housing Act, tenant eligibility and screening, calculating affordable rent, and initial verification and recertification. Ideal candidates for the COS classification include individuals employed by HUD housing authorities, including the city housing, county housing, and North Carolina state housing authority, and engaged in renting affordable homes to low-income families receiving government subsidies through the housing choice voucher program.
HCCP (Housing Credit Certified Professional)
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) administers the HCCP (Housing Credit Certified Professional) training, which equips leaders employed in the low-income housing sector, such as asset, community development, as well as property managers, landlords, and real estate developers, with a comprehensive understanding of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) home program. Consultants that have secured an HCCP (Housing Credit Certified Professional) designation have successfully demonstrated knowledge of LIHTC and what it takes to remain in compliance with these affordable rental housing regulatory requirements.
CPO (Certified Professional of Occupancy)
The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) created the CPO (Certified Professional of Occupancy) specialization with the goal of equipping staff members at affordable housing program property management companies with a comprehensive knowledge of HUD Handbook 4350.3 and all subsequent revisions. Those who complete the CPO, as our affordable housing consultants have, have successfully demonstrated an understanding of renter screening and selection requirements, including avoiding discrimination and determining adjusted median income and any allowance afforded to renters, as well as initial certification of attendants and the need for annual recertification of them.
FHC (Fair Housing Certified)
Also offered by the NAHMA, like the CPO certification, the FHC (Fair Housing Certified) designation serves as an indicator of an affordable housing manager's mastery of fair housing laws. Property managers who have been awarded the FHC (Fair Housing Certified) credential have the skillset necessary to determine whether making units accessible by converting their single-family dwelling or multi-family housing developments for very low-income to moderate-income families is administratively and financially feasible for their housing development corporation in North Carolina. They also have demonstrated competency in building out their company's housing policy and procedure manual and in reviewing tenant applications and accepting or rejecting them accordingly.
TCS (Tax Credit Specialist)
The TCS (Tax Credit Specialist) designation was created by the National Center for Housing Management and was created for LIHTC property managers. Individuals who have a thorough understanding of the HUD handbook and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8823, formally known as the Low-Income Housing Credit Agencies Report of Noncompliance or Building Disposition, and how to best complete that tax document, end up qualifying for the TCS program certification. Individuals with this TCS designation, like members of our affordable housing consultancy has, have also demonstrated competency in calculating income and assets to determine LIHTC eligibility and federal tax credit program compliance monitoring.
How NAH Consultants' Affordable Housing Certifications Can Help You
Our NAH Consultants team holds all of the affordable housing certifications outlined above and regularly consults with a housing developer looking to give lower-income individuals who receive rent assistance a place to live, managers who operate income homes and administer rental assistance programs, and property owners involved in renting low-income housing to tenants. We can offer our knowledge and practical experience in serving as a consultant to you on your affordable housing project.
Our NAH Consultants team is only a quick email or call away if you have any questions about getting started in offering housing for low-income individuals or if you're already a property manager with concerns about compliance issues. Connect with our certified affordable housing specialists in Greensboro, NC, today.