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Keeping Busy at LDS
Greetings!
LDS Consulting Group, LLC completed more than a dozen market studies for the September Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) funding round! We are now turning our attention to new planning, permitting and financing work.
LDS welcomes new clients: Arlington Community Trabajando, Inc, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Free Style Ventures, Housing Assistance Corporation on Cape Code, Seasons Development,
Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services, the Sudbury Housing Authority and Westford Housing Authority.
Thank you housing consultants: Every year we are privileged to work with extraordinary housing consultants who are busy behind the scenes feeding us information, pulling together paperwork and adjusting numbers to ensure timely quality funding applications. We want to recognize some of the consultants we continue to partner with for their business, professionalism and above all, sense of humor - Sharon Loewenthal of Real Resources, Rick Lefferts of Commonweal Collaborative, Russ Tanner and Nina Schwartzchild, Rebecca Plat Mautner and Steve Joncas. |
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Team Wins Hingham Affordable Housing Trust Work
A team that includes LDS has been selected by the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust to consult on a project to develop 80 Beal Street. Led by Strekalovsky Architecture Inc., the team will examine site layout and building options for the property and apply for a comprehensive permit to develop four to eight homeownership units. LDS will work on a financial feasibility analysis and the comprehensive permit application. Other team members include Merrill Inc. as civil engineer and Coyle & Caren, LLC as landscape architect.
LDS is working with Arlington Community Trabajando, Inc. on a proposed four-unit affordable rental development in Lawrence along with Elton Hampton Architects. The work will include financial pro formas and an examination of funding options. |
LDS Customizes Studies for Fall DHCD Funding Round
Market studies and study updates kept LDS busy in August and September as its clients across the state applied for the fall DHCD funding round. LDS worked on projects in Acton, Boston, Cambridge, Carlisle, Lowell, Middleborough, Taunton, Webster, Westford, Sudbury and Worcester, among other communities.
In response to the increase in the number of funding rounds its clients have to apply to, LDS customized its market studies to ensure clients' needs were met within their budget. For example, LDS created a short form study letter for small developments as well as developments with project-based subsidies. This is just one way the consulting firm continues to find creative solutions to meet each client's needs and budget in the changing economy and housing market.
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Vote No on Ballot Question 2 in the November Election
LDS encourages you to support the Campaign to Protect the Affordable Housing Law and vote No on 2 on the November 2 ballot question
The state's Affordable Housing Law helps make homes affordable to seniors and working families across Massachusetts. It is the primary state law that promotes the development of affordable housing in all regions of the state, including urban, suburban and rural communities. It has been responsible for 80 percent of the affordable housing created in the state over the past decade, outside the major cities. More than 50 percent of the developments created under the law have been developed by nonprofit organizations.
This is a nonpartisan issue. All four gubernatorial candidates plan to vote no on Ballot Question 2. To learn more, volunteer or sign up for a lawn sign, please visit the website www.protectaffordablehousing.org.
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Trends and Observations
LDS's studies have found that the first-time homebuyer tax credit has resulted in rising home prices and sales in some less affluent communities. LDS also observed that there has been increases in absorption, stabilization and rental rates as well as fewer move-in incentives for market-rate rental units in certain communities.
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Other News: New Addition to LDS
LDS has hired a new research associate, Kaitlyn Traynor. Kaitlyn came on board in July 2010. Kate worked as a program assistant at the Juneau Economic Development Council before joining LDS. She graduated from Oberlin College with a bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies in 2009. At LDS, she has been busy traveling all over the state interviewing property managers.
Theodora Hadjimichael has left LDS to pursue a masters degree in urban planning at the University of North Carolina. We will miss her and wish her all the best.
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LDS is taking reservations for HUD 202 market studies for the 2010 NOFA funding round that is expected to be announced shortly. Enjoy the beautiful fall weather.
Sincerely,
Lynne D. Sweet
Managing Member
LDS Consulting Group, LLC 233 Needham Street, Newton, MA |
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