Lt. Governor joins IHCDA and ESN for the launch of a new program and awards four properties for their excellence in affordable housing

INDIANAPOLIS – Today during the awards luncheon at the Indiana Housing Conference Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, along with members from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and Energy Systems Network (ESN) announced a new, innovative program aimed at providing energy-efficient affordable housing and transportation. The program, called Moving Forward, is designed to create housing that increases the quality of life while decreasing the cost of living for low to moderate-income individuals and families.

“It couldn’t be more fitting to announce the launch of the Moving Forward program while at the same time recognizing properties that have achieved excellence in affordable housing,” said Lt. Governor Ellspermann, who chairs the IHCDA Board. “The Moving Forward program allows us to strategically focus on finding synergies with affordable housing and transportation solutions and develop coordinated plans that will result in lower costs for Hoosier families.”

Along with the announcement of the Moving Forward program, IHCDA released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking two developers to participate in the program. Responses to the RFQ are due to IHCDA by 5:00 pm EST on September 18, 2015. Listed as the minimum developer qualifications in the RFQ include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Rental Housing Tax Credit (RHTC) program and successful completion of RHTC developments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of energy efficiency and sustainable design features.
• Demonstrated knowledge of transportation issues and concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage and manage multiple complex funding sources.

A key partner for IHCDA in this endeavor is ESN who not only helped to conceptualize the program but has assembled a remarkable team of subject matter experts from industry, academia, and local government agencies. These industry experts will work with the developers selected through the RFQ process to help them create innovative housing concepts that focus on transportation and sustainability.

“Typically affordable housing and transportation issues are addressed independently of one another. Through this program, we will focus on developing solutions collectively, taking a coordinated, systems approach,” said Paul Mitchell, president, and CEO of ESN. “By gathering the top experts in a collaborative environment with developers we will leverage some of the most advanced technologies and designs in a sustainable way that will allow families to experience real cost savings.”

The two concepts will be created during a series of workshops and meetings in which IHCDA, ESN, and the assembled subject matter experts will work with the selected development teams. Upon completion of the workshops and creation of development concepts, the two development teams will each be able to submit RHTC applications of up to $750,000 each under the General Set-aside* in July 2016.

Click here for more information about the Moving Forward program.

Also at the luncheon this afternoon, Lt. Governor Ellspermann recognized properties in four categories with Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing. These properties are:

Urban – Irvington Lofts (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Rural – Downtown Terrace (Petersburg, Indiana)

Senior – Historic Greensburg Square (Greensburg, Indiana)

Special Needs Housing – The Courtyard (Ft. Wayne, Indiana)

For more information about the Indiana Housing Conference visit: www.indianahousingconference.org.

*Per the 2016-17 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), IHCDA will reserve 10% of its RHTC for the IHCDA General Set-aside. Under this set-aside, IHCDA reserves credits for developments that further the Authority’s mission, goals, initiatives, and priorities irrespective of the ranking by evaluation factors. The QAP states that the Authority will exercise its sole discretion in the allocation of the IHCDA General Set-aside.