Community Development
Training Archives
HUD Asset Management Trainings
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has funded NPF with several partners to provide asset management training and technical assistance in Oregon. Trainings are provided on a variety of basic, intermediate, and advanced topics. To access training materials, please click on the title of the training or material titles at the end of the training description.
June 19, 2008
Restructuring & Refinancing Affordable Housing Projects
Robin Boyce, Housing Development Center
Leon Laptook, Community Development Law Center
While we're reluctant to admit it, sometimes projects don't perform as planned. This workshop explored what can be done to assist existing underperforming properties. It addressed planning and managing restructures and refinances of property, including planning and financing anticipated or unanticipated capital improvement projects.
The training included:
- Assessment of properties operations, including occupancy and financial performance, performing a review of existing debt terms and market constraints, and strategies to assess capital improvement needs and reserves.
- Developing a restructuring plan- including asset/property management changes, rehabilitation needs and refinancing options.
- Developing disposition policies and strategies.
The training was targeted towards more experienced housing development and asset management staff who have already have basic knowledge in reviewing financial information and loan documents on projects.
April 2, 2008
Asset and Financial Management Peer Support Network Training
Robin Boyce, Housing Development Center
Kay Sohl, Technical Assistance for Community Services (TACS)
The IRS 8823 Audit Guide: In January 2007, the IRS made some significant changes to the IRS audit guide, outlining the criteria for 8823s, such as changing the available unit rule, eligible basis, transfers, etc. OHCS presented Oregon's interpretation of these new rules.
IRS 8823 Audit Guide
IRS 8823 Audit Guide Analysis
IRS 8823 State Audit Guide
IRS 8823 State Audit Guide Changes
OHCS On-Line Reporting: Oregon Housing and Community Services' new online reporting system for budget forecasts and income and expense statements was rolled out in 2007. OHCS's John Skelton discussed filling out the report and the venefits of such a system.
OHCS Online Reporting Materials
Asset and Financial Management Training: HDC and TACS presented information focusing on defining the roles of Asset Managers and Financial Managers in ensuring the health of the nonprofit affordable housing organization and the information each needs from the other. TACS presented the core requirements for financial reporting within the requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and HDC presented the financial information required for sound asset management practices, including ongoing analysis of the financial performance of affordable housing properties. Presented were challenges inherent in maintaining grant compliant financial records on the accrual basis of accounting while also maintaing the capacity to utilize cash basis accounting to meet the reporting requirements of lenders focused on cash flows.
Presentation Powerpoint
June 6 & June 20, 2007
Managing Capital Improvements & Replacement Reserve Analyses
Craig Kelley, Molly Rogers and Eli Spevak, Housing Development Center
This training was designed to assist Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) with strategically positioning themselves to be able to maintain the physical condition of their housing portfolios over the long term. A recent survey of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Projects in Oregon found that most owners do not know the capital needs of their projects, and are not sure if they have sufficient reserves.
Structured as hands on work sessions, the training reviewed capital needs assessment formats and approaches, and taught CHDOs how to complete a replacement reserve analysis. The course was targeted towards housing development, facility managers and asset management staff.
The training included:
- Approaches to capital needs assessments: internal versus external evaluations, when they are needed, sample scope of work and report formats.
- Outlining a capital budget to reflect rehabilitation needs and recapitalizing options.
- Developing strategies to oversee the property manager’s maintenance work and performance indicators for maintenance.
- Preparing annual capital improvement budgets, including how to approach this task and what funders allow.Preparing a replacement reserve analysis to evaluate annual deposit needs, or future recapitalization needs.
Handouts Part 1
Handouts Part 2
Power Point
March 13-14, 2007
Exit Strategies for LIHTC Projects
Joel Rubenzahl
This course taught participants to evaluate how their low-income housing tax credit project is performing compared to initial expectations. They learned whether changes to their strategies were needed to optimize the nonprofit owner’s position, especially with regard to purchase of the project at the end of the 15-year compliance period. This course dealt specifically with fair market, exit taxes and alternatives to continuing partnerships for the full 15 years. Participants were asked to bring project documents with them so that discussions and examples focused on the real-life situations many nonprofit organizations are facing with LIHTC projects.
January 18 and April 19, 2007
Board & Staff Roles in Financial Management
Kay Sohl (TACS) and Leon Laptook (CDLC)
Nonprofit affordable housing and community economic development is a tough business. Successful organizations must develop Board and management capacity to evaluate financial choices and understand the financial consequences of activity in housing development, asset and property management, resident services, economic development projects, and fund raising activity. This new full day workshop was designed for Board Members, Executive Directors, and Financial Managers of community development corporations. In the course participants learned about State of Oregon and IRS requirements and expectations for Board oversight and the information and skills Board members need to have to provide effective leadership for their CDC. Also examined were key staff functions and the ways CDCs assign responsibility for monitoring financial performance and achieving financial outcomes, and financial decision-making as it applies to executive directors, fiscal managers, housing developers, asset managers, fundraisers, and program managers.
December 14, 2006
Affordable Housing Finance
Leon Laptook (CDLC)
This workshop was targeted for more experienced CHDO staff and presented negotiating land acquisition, predevelopment loans, construction loans, permanent financing and partnership agreements. The focus of the workshop was on understanding contracts and loan documents, key deal points, how affordable housing loans and grants impact agreements, and strategies for negotiation. Techniques and strategies for evaluating the financial structuring of projects, including LIHTC Year 15 and HUD/RD preservation projects were also presented.
November 9, 2006
Board & Staff Roles in Financial Management
Kay Sohl (TACS) and Leon Laptook (CDLC)
Nonprofit affordable housing and community economic development is a tough business. Successful organizations must develop Board and management capacity to evaluate financial choices and understand the financial consequences of activity in housing development, asset and property management, resident services, economic development projects, and fund raising activity. This new full day workshop was designed for Board Members, Executive Directors, and Financial Managers of community development corporations. In the course participants learned about State of Oregon and IRS requirements and expectations for Board oversight and the information and skills Board members need to have to provide effective leadership for their CDC. Also examined were key staff functions and the ways CDCs assign responsibility for monitoring financial performance and achieving financial outcomes, and financial decision-making as it applies to executive directors, fiscal managers, housing developers, asset managers, fundraisers, and program managers.
September 28, 2006
Construction Management
Charlie Harris, Leon Laptook, Rob Prasch
Oversight of construction is critical to the success of affordable housing projects and the long-term health of an organization. With scores of professionals and tradesmen involved, who will oversee the hundreds of construction documents, the materials and equipment, and the thousands, if not millions of dollars needed for the success of a project? This training covered the basic skills and processes needed for effective project oversight. It presented the phases of construction, the roles of the various participants, and techniques to ensure that projects are developed, on time, within budget and as planned. Topics included: construction planning, procurement, construction contracts and related documents, inspections, coordination, change orders, resolving disputes, etc. In addition a panel consisting of an architect, general contractor and construction manager will present a case study of a project that they successfully completed.
June 8 , 2006
Creating an Asset Management Plan
Robin Boyce, Leon Laptook, and Tanya Wolfersperger
Developing affordable housing is the first step in meeting a communities' housing needs. Operating the housing effectively over the long term is what ultimately makes a difference in the lives of low-income residents. This training assisted CHDO and community development organization staff in the development of asset management plans for their affordable housing projects. The training covered oversight of property management, oversight of financial performance, oversight of the physical condition of properties, resident service plans, community relations, and record keeping, reporting and monitoring. Participants had hands-on experience working individually and in small groups developing components of asset management plans for their properties using CDLC’s model asset management planning tool.
February 9 , 2006
Asset and Property Management: The Basics
Charlie Harris and Leon Laptook
This workshop was targeted towards new CDC staff, existing staff with new asset management responsibilities and organizations that are relatively inexperienced with owning multifamily housing.
Topics will included:
- asset management roles and responsibilities
- oversight of project operations focusing on reviewing financial statements and reports
- selection and oversight of property management
- compliance with funder requirements
- developing asset management policies and procedures
- staffing, and developing an asset management plan
January 19, 2006
Financial Management Practices for Affordable Housing Organizations
Kay Sohl
This full day workshop presented strategies for budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting for non-profit affordable housing organizations. Workshop participants received a comprehensive guide to financial management for affordable housing non-profits. Both the workshop and the guide addressed financial management issues that arise in housing development, asset and property management, tenant services, and overall operation of non-profits providing affordable housing.
Workshop topics included:
- Budgeting, accounting and reporting for multiple programs and projects
- Differing viewpoints -- GAAP accounting and the housing industry focus on cash flow
- Dealing with restricted funds
- Multiple entities – accounting for related Single Asset Entities and Tax Credit Partnerships
- Accounting and reporting that supports effective asset and property management
- Budget, accounting, and reporting issues in home ownership programs
- Software choices
- Communicating financial information effectively to boards and managers
October 27, 2005
Housing Development and Finance
Charlie Harris and Leon Laptook
This workshop presented a broad overview of the housing development process and affordable housing finance tools. It was targeted towards new CHDO staff, existing staff with housing development responsibilities and organizations that are relatively inexperienced with developing affordable housing.
Topics will included:
- Developing a project concept
- Understanding the market
- Forming a development team
- Board roles in the development process
- Acquiring land
- Local approval processes
- Dealing with community opposition
- Developing project proformas
- Sources of affordable housing finance
- Understanding and negotiating project financing agreements
- Understanding and negotiating project contracts (development services agreements, architect contracts; construction contracts, etc.)
- Construction management oversight
- Obtaining property management services
- Asset management functions
Human Resource Trainings
January 30-31, 2007
Coaching Skills for Managers
Mikaela Seligman
Managers are asked to provide mentoring and feedback in order to increase productivity and efficiency. Increasingly, staff and colleagues are asking for coaching as well. This course provided participants with some basic skills and concepts to use to bring out the best in staff and colleagues. In this course participants learned the differences between coaching, mentoring and feedback, as well as the basic coaching skills that help them to be a more effective manager and leader. Participants learned about and had the opportunity to practice the following skills:
• Making powerful requests
• Understanding the difference between a health promise and a criminal promise
• Moving someone from resentment and resignation to acceptance and ambition
• Providing non-verbal coaching
• Creating a work culture of learning
• Bringing a mood of lightness
November 15, 2006
Keys to Staff Development
Jim Morris & Alisyn Peters, MBL Group
A critical, yet sometimes forgotten component for growing organizations is the professional development of employees. In this one-day training, you will learn the importance of staff development. You will also learn techniques in developing current leaders and how to identify and develop the future leaders of your organization. You will gain the tools necessary for successfully designing and implementing employee development plans that are linked to succession plan programs and your organizations overall strategic plan.
Presentation
Appendix
Succession Planning Form
Trainer's Guide
October 5, 2006
Planning & Managing Growth
Jim Morris & Alisyn Peters, MBL Group
Growing organizations bring with them their own set of unique challenges. Sometimes it is difficult for leaders to take the time to assess and plan when they are driving a high growth organization. Unfortunately, that is when planning is needed more than ever. This one-day training taught valuable strategies for planning for the future. Techniques for identifying and addressing the current and future needs of your organization were presented. Participants also learned how to identify which stage of growth an organization is in and how to best plan for the next stage. Participants gained the tools needed for managing an organization into the future.
Presentation
Participant Guide
NeighborWorks America
During 2005, NPF solidified a working partnership with the NeighborWorks America Training Division to bring their cutting edge community development trainings to Oregon. By partnering with NeighborWorks America, we were able to provide outstanding trainings of a national caliber to CDCs throughout Oregon and SW Washington. This saves participants the travel and hotel expenses associated with attending NeighborWorks America trainings in other parts of the country.
NPF conducted a series of focus groups to explore core areas in which practitioners wanted more in-depth training, and worked with NeighborWorks staff and training faculty to tailor trainings to Oregon CDC needs. Washington Mutual was the key sponsor of these trainings, indicating that they remain committed to growing CDCs capable of solving the many challenges they face in housing and supporting low-income people throughout our state.
Trainings offered in 2005 were:
- Financial Tools for Asset Managers – Laurie Gould – Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2004
- Proving the Results of Your Community Development Work – Fernando Menendez, The Thinking Tools Group, Jan. 12-13, 2005
- Critical Thinking – Fernando Menendez, The Thinking Tools Group, June 8-9, 2004
- Leadership for Organizational Transformation, Rob Sheehan, Sept. 19-20, 2005
Community Development
Lecture Series
November 13, 2006
On Getting Out~and Staying Out~of Poverty: The Complex Causes of and Responses to Poverty in the Northwest
David Harrison, Senior Lecturer at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs
Presentation materials:
On Getting Out-and Staying Out-of Poverty (PDF)
September 11, 2006
Saving Homes, Saving Money: Preserving Our Stock of Affordable Housing
Michael Bodaken, President of the National Housing Trust
Presentation materials:
Preservation Work Session (Power Point)
Safeguarding Oregon's Affordable Homes (Power Point)
Oregon Preservation (PDF)
Subsidized Housing Data (PDF)