The pandemic was a wakeup call, affecting families and businesses and putting pressure on all levels of government to quickly provide financial assistance. One key lesson: without the right technology tools, it’s impossible to effectively assist those struggling to keep households and businesses afloat. What is your organization’s strategy to assist those affected when the next crisis hits? If relief funds are again available from federal, state, or local sources, are you confident that your agency will be able to expediently reach affected households, efficiently qualify them and securely disburse funds? Here are four factors to consider if you’re developing an implementation strategy for a direct-to-beneficiary economic relief program: 1. Outreach is Key Financial assistance programs are extremely targeted in nature. You need to reach households in qualified crisis quickly and outreach to the affected community is the best strategy. To be successful, you need mobile-friendly software that staff can easily get into the hands of applicants. Relying solely on paper applications and fielding office visits will not be sufficient. Consider the Connecticut Department of Housing’s successful outreach efforts in marketing its $420 million emergency rental assistance program, Unite CT. The Unite CT bus is an outstanding example of using mobile technology to make it fast and easy for potential beneficiaries to learn about available funds and submit digital applications. 2. Offer Live Support Agencies that make it easy to apply for help are the most effective in assisting their communities. Live telephone support staff are critical in helping families and business owners navigate the application process and ensure they submit necessary information and documentation. Equally important is having trained caseworkers available to quickly and accurately review submitted assistance applications and approve the distribution of assistance. A strong technology platform will make the jobs...

Two updates issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development bring bad news to homeowners. Denied Mortgage Insurance Rate Cut Costs Homeowners $500/year The new administration indefinitely suspended a proposed rate cut for FHA-backed mortgage insurance. Instead of dropping rates to .60 percent, they will remain at .85 percent. The decision—made within the hour that the new administration assumed office– will cost homeowners a savings averaging $500 a year. Savings would vary by state. In California, the savings would have averaged $860 per year. LA Times reports that the administration denied the proposed cut, citing risk prevention as the cause. Borrowers can have down payments of as little as 3.5 percent and credit scores as low as 580. The average credit score for borrowers, however, was a fair 679 in late 2016. Non-bank lenders often manage higher risk FHA-backed loans. These lenders may not have the same reserve requirements as banks. The California Association of Realtors president Geoff McIntosh issued the following statement on the decision: “FHA’s single-family home portfolio is financially sound as it has ever been, and we hope that once the new administration has thoroughly reviewed the merits of the premium reduction the suspension will immediately be lifted.” Secretary of Housing and Urban Development  Ben Carson says he intends to reexamine the decision. He plans to collaborate with FHA administrator and other financial experts to “really examine that policy.” American Indian Households Face Increasing Challenges Affordable Housing Finance shared the latest developments in an independent American Indian Housing Report initiated by HUD.  While tribes have responsibly used existing resources for improvements, dire housing conditions and a lack of resources continue to hinder progress. Researchers with the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. examined the housing needs of American Indians, Alaska...

There has been a series of encouraging reports emerging from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) this quarter. The nation enters fall with a positive outlook regarding housing and services for veterans facing homelessness. A recent report reveals a 47 percent decline in veteran homelessness since 2010, with a 17 percent decrease between January 2015 and January 2016. Communities throughout America contribute data to the Point-in-Time (PIT) report, hosted by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This separate analysis of veteran well-being estimates a 56 percent decrease in veterans without shelter since 2010. These notable successes are a direct result of greater federal and community commitment to end homelessness amongst former service members: One of the first targeted initiatives came from the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program in 2008. Through the program, veterans receive rental assistance along with the support of medical and professional services. Early this summer, HUD-VASH issued $38 million towards housing for 5,200 veterans who struggled with stable housing. The funds were directed to communities’ housing and case management organizations. Two months later, HUD-VASH provided the funding needed to secure permanent housing for an additional 108 homeless veterans in seven states. To date, more than 114,000 veterans have received assistance through the program. In 2010, HUD, VA, and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness finalized Opening Doors. This one-of-a-kind federal program strategically plans to end chronic homelessness by 2017. The program includes efforts to identify former service members who are at risk of homelessness and take steps to prevent the loss of shelter. For veterans experiencing homelessness, professionals provide barrier-free entry to temporary shelter. They simultaneously work to secure long-term housing and the necessary assistance to maintain those accommodations. Following in 2014, First Lady Michelle Obama...

In positive news for the public housing realm, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has received $49.3 billion in gross discretionary funding. It’s a $4 billion increase over FY 2014. The resources will be allocated to rental assistance vouchers, assistance for homeless and at-risk families, community improvement, and additional training for the Public Housing Authority staff. A notable portion of the funds will be used to compensate for 67,000 Housing Choice Vouchers lost during the sequestration in 2013 and a $25.6 billion deficit between FY 2014 and FY 2015. There are few new initiatives. $35 million will be divided between new affordable housing for seniors and 700 new households with supportive services for persons with disabilities. The bulk of funding is focused on the continuation and enhancement of existing programs for vulnerable populations. $332 million will support the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program. First nation tribes will receive $748 million towards housing and community development. $2.5 billion will be channeled to the Homeless Assistance Grants, which reduce homelessness among families and veterans. Additional housing assistance comes in the form of adjustments for FHA mortgage insurance premiums. The new parameters will permit access to credit for 250,000 new homebuyers. $4.7 million low-income families will receive rental housing assistance. A grant of $50 million will transform 25,000 public housing units into project-based rental assistance contracts that can further spark capital investment. Communities will receive an additional boost of community improvement through Choice Neighborhoods. The organization receives $250 million to reconstruct impoverished neighborhoods as mixed-income communities with employment and enrichment opportunities for residents. Overall, the budget is a $4 billion increase over the budget for last year, but is it enough? HUD Secretary Julián Castro believes that it is a great start. “By...

Yardi client The Presidio Trust has been honored with an award from the National Trust/Advisory Council for Historic Preservation. The Presidio Landmark Apartments, a 154-unit complex, were developed by converting a former hospital on the historic San Francisco military base into multifamily living. The process involved a public-private partnership that not only preserved the historic character of the existing property but created a new sustainable community to help address San Francisco’s dire need for housing. The $71 million, 220,000 square foot renovation project was completed in 2010, according to a report in Multi-Family News. The Presidio Trust worked with Forest City Enterprises and Perkins+Will architects to design and execute the work. According to the Presidio Landmark website, “Nowhere else in San Francisco will you find an historic building that’s been thoughtfully and sustainably renovated, with modern comforts, conveniences and pampering services — all within a National Park.” Preserved features from the original hospital property include sun porches, marble hallways, doors and windows, and the brick exterior. Construction work was completed to LEED Gold certification. Perched along the edge of the Pacific at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay, the Presidio was once home to thousands of military personnel. Other reuses of buildings on the property include conversion of an officer’s quarters to create a boutique hotel. The Presidio Trust uses Yardi Voyager to manage its commercial and residential leases. There are 3,000 residents and 200 leaseholders within the Presidio, which became financially self-sufficient under its unique management set-up in 2013. The U.S. Army turned the property over to the National Park Service in 1994, and the Trust was established to achieve revenue growth and financial stability in 1996. “We pride ourselves on the careful management of the park’s finances. Implementing Voyager to capture...

New York City’s Central Park is a place where millions of memories have been made. The iconic mid-city oasis has captured the hearts and imaginations of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. Whether rowing a boat across The Lake, observing Gus the polar bear at the Zoo, or enjoying a burger at the Ballplayers’ House, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation creates a visitor experience that is one of a kind. For the most visited park in the United States, just one part of the recreational portfolio of the NYC Parks Department, the property management and accounting side of its daily operations are of utmost importance. Continuing an 18-year business relationship with Yardi, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is now using Yardi Voyager for Government as its technology solution for these important records. “We concluded that Voyager is the platform with the versatility to manage the incredible number and variety of assets under our jurisdiction,” said David Cerron, chief accountant of Parks & Recreation’s revenue division. That variety is overwhelming and impressive. Here’s a look at the scope and size of the NYC Department of Parks and Rec and its offerings for visitors. -The department is responsible for 29,000 acres of land within its jurisdiction, which is 14 percent of the total acreage of New York City. That includes 14 miles of beaches. -Those acres are subdivided into 5,000 properties that include parks, recreation centers, community gardens, dog parks, swimming pools and more. -There are 800 athletic fields, 1,000 playgrounds, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 48 rec centers, 17 nature centers, and 13 golf courses under the department’s oversight. There are also myriad fitness paths, boat launches, dog runs and skate parks. -The city’s history is...