Clinton Carter appointed as State Finance Director

In late September, Clinton Carter was appointed to finance director for the State of Alabama. Carter previously served as the deputy finance director from 2011-2014.

The Huntsville native has an extensive knowledge of investment management, debt management and strategic consulting. Most recently, Carter served as the Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer for the University of North Alabama. 

Carter replaces Bill Newton, who served as acting finance director since June 2013. In addition to his other duties as finance director, Carter will serve as an ex officio member of AHFA's Board of Directors. Please join the AHFA board and staff in welcoming Carter.
Former Alabama Lieutenant Governor and AHFA Board Member Lucy Baxley Dies in October

Lucy Baxley, who served as Alabama's first female lieutenant governor, died on October 14 at the age of 78. 

Baxley won three consecutive statewide races after leaving a successful real estate career to enter politics in the early 1990s. She served as lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2007. During her 1995-2003 term as state treasurer, Baxley also served as an ex officio member of AHFA's Board of Directors.

Please join the AHFA board and staff in remembering Lucy Baxley, and appreciating her contributions to AHFA and service to our state.
Public Hearing Held Regarding Multifamily Developments

AHFA recently held a Public Hearing regarding the proposed 2017 HOME Investment Partnerships Program Action Plan and the Housing Credit Qualified Allocation Plan. 

Multifamily Administrator David Young welcomed attendees to the hearing and shared a brief synopsis of the proposed changes for both plans. After receiving comments, the meeting was closed.
 
Written comments about the Plans are still being accepted until 5 p.m. CT on November 10. Those who wish to submit written comments about the Plans must use the required 2017 Plan Comment form.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1QxwcqE

October A Busy Month for Development Grand Openings

Grand openings were held across the state for five multifamily housing developments in October. All of the developments received allocations of HOME Investment Partnerships program funds and/or Housing Credits from AHFA. 

The dates, the project information and funding amounts: 
  • October 7: The Reserve at Spring Creek in Guntersville, 35 units, $1.3 million in 2014 HOME funds and $391,949 in 2014 Housing Credits
     
  • October 19: Cypress Trace in Bay Minette, 40 units, $1.5 million in 2014 HOME funds and $481,325 in 2014 Housing Credits
     
  • October 21: Stratford Manor in Livingston, 47 units, $416,743 in 2013 Housing Credits
     
  • October 26: Hummingbird Landing in Andalusia, 56 units, $1.6 million in 2014 HOME funds and $660,304 in 2014 Housing Credits
     
  • October 26: Alexander Village in St. Florian, 48 units, $1.6 million in 2014 HOME funds and $548,635 in 2014 Housing Credits

Habitat Home Provides Cancer Survivor with Peace of Mind

Most of us are fortunate that we don't have to go to bed at night and pray our home doesn't burn down. But that was reality for Jennifer Chambers and her two children. They lived in an old mobile home that constantly had them worried about their safety.

After hearing about Habitat for Humanity (HFH) of Morgan County from a friend, Chambers applied knowing that she needed a safe and secure place for her family. A short time later, Chambers was approved for a home, and she and her family were soon working on their required "sweat equity" hours completing monthly budget classes, homeowner education courses and 300 volunteer hours at a build site.

Chambers says the HFH of Morgan County family was awesome to work with, from Mindy Thwing, the HFH of Morgan County Executive Director. She also said the construction workers were very nice and would take them to lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays when they were working. When asked what it was like putting in all of those sweat equity hours, Chambers said, "It went by fairly quickly for me, and I enjoyed the fact that I was helping someone else get a home too. I guess it's all about how badly you need and want your home."

And the Chambers needed and wanted a home badly. Their wish came true when they moved into their home in Somerville in November 2013. But their hard times weren't over just yet. Just two weeks after moving in, Chamber's colon ruptured. She stayed in the hospital for five weeks and returned home just a few days before Christmas. After the holidays were over, she soon learned her fight was just beginning when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

After successful surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation, Chambers has been in remission for a little over a year and a half. She says, "The treatment was long and hard. There were days I didn't think I would make it! My children and my home gave me the reassurance I could get through it." Chambers says she believes her recovery was somewhat easier because she no longer had the stress of worrying about her and her family's safety in their old mobile home.

When she shares her favorite things about her home, they include the peace of mind that comes with feeling safe and secure. She also enjoys her yard and loves to plant a variety of flowers in the front and back. She says that purchasing a Habitat for Humanity home has affected her "in the most positive way ever. It is one of the greatest and biggest milestones that has happened in my life. It has meant everything for me and my children."
Training for Non-Profit Housing Developers Scheduled for November

AHFA will host a free CHDO training on Monday, November 7. This training event is specifically designed for non-profit organizations interested in the development of low-income housing in their service area. 

The requirements and application process for the Community Housing Development Organization designation will be discussed.

For more information: http://conta.cc/2e3GOxg.

Development Spotlight
Canterbury Apartments | Greensboro, AL
 
Development Info:
47 units, built in 1989 and renovated in 2008
Serves: Elderly households, age 62 and over, the disabled, and the handicapped
AHFA funding sources: Housing Credits: $82,958 (2008) & $78,000 (1989) | Tax Credit Exchange funds: $3.39 million (2009)
 
Amenities/Tenant Services:
Canterbury Apartments offers services to help residents remain in an independent living environment. These services include social programs that contribute to the long-term health and welfare of the residents by keeping them engaged and active, thus allowing them to live longer, happier and healthier lives.
 
Developer David Morrow of Morrow Realty said, "We believe this serves as a very cost efficient long-term solution to providing housing and enhanced quality of life for an aging population which will only increase in the future."
 
Canterbury plans many resident functions, including a popular game night on Wednesdays, potluck dinners throughout the quarter, and ongoing holiday festivities. There is a large community garden, computer center, and exercise room on site, all of which are well utilized. A nutrition center is located at the property where affordable meals are served daily Monday through Friday. The nutrition center also coordinates resident services, such as home health for blood pressure and diabetes screening along with nutrition monitoring. Homebound meals are provided to those persons that are mobility impaired. Public transportation is available for the residents to make trips to the grocery stores, doctors, and other important places.
 
Item of Interest:
Property manager LaWanda Miller oversees Canterbury along with Griffin-Mandela, a 30-unit family development also in Greensboro, and was selected as AHFA's 2016 Manager of the Year. Her nomination was based on property curb appeal, compliance with AHFA programs, and tenant satisfaction.
 
"The site manager is the primary reason for the successful operation of a development such as Canterbury," said Morrow. "LaWanda builds strong relationships with everyone and maintains excellent tenant relations by assuring all the resident services are available and utilized. We are very proud of her contributing and making a difference in the lives of people in and around the community."
 
Miller said, "I am one very proud site manager to be named as AHFA's Manager of the Year.  As a site manager, I love assisting the residents in any way that I can assist them, and I really enjoy having functions for them so they can socialize with each other. It feels good to know that my residents feel safe living here, and they know that I try hard to have a good safe community for all of us to live."
AHFA Offices to Close for November Holidays

AHFA, ServiSolutions and Hardest Hit Alabama will be closed Friday, November 11 in observance of the Veterans' Day holiday and Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please make a note of these dates.
Alabama Housing Finance Authority | 334.244.9200 | Email | Website
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