The conference began with a public forum, to which local residents, community leaders, and housing developers were invited. Participants discussed common issues surround affordable housing, while giving developers an opportunity to engage with the local community. The remainder of the conference was comprised of closed-door collaboration meetings between an eight-person design team and seven pre-selected housing developers. The team included experts in all aspects of housing development: environmental, financials, structural and aesthetic design. Many of them also specialized in best practices for effectively utilizing urban spaces. The developers were from non-profits. They brought information regarding their low-income housing projects, all of which were still in the design phase and faced unique challenges.

Included on the panel of experts was architect David Rubin, sustainable communities developer Chris Velasco, Deidre Schmidt of the Affordable Housing Institute in Boston, and urban planner Daniel Hernandez. The team of developers was chosen based on specific criteria. Each had to have a development either in mind, or already in the planning stages. The project had to be realistic and actionable. They also had to have a proven track record of not only design excellence, but also a commitment to “green building strategies.” Their development portfolios had to be diverse, and they had to have a history of successfully completing projects that benefited not just project residents, but the community at large.

MetroPlains co-president Randy Schold believed the conference encouraged and challenged developers to design with the end user in mind, believing that a good design positively impacts housing residents, who – in turn – positively impact their communities. The Design Institute was held at the McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota and received additional support from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Kendeda Fund and Federal Home Loan Banks. It was moderated by Katie Swenson and coordinated by Mary Hale. Though the inaugural Design Institute is done, Enterprise Community Partners intends to make it an annual event. The Institute is a great example of the ways members of the low-income housing development community can support each other, and push one another towards ever-improving design and development standards.

Every state has departments that are responsible for the planning and funding of affordable housing projects. Alabama’s is called the Alabama Housing Finance Authority or AHFA. In statements released late last year, the AHFA announced that its Board of Directors has approved both its HOME Action Plan and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit State Qualified Action Plan. These are two of the primary tools used by the AHFA to promote low-income housing development.

The HOME Action Plan defines several AHFA housing priorities for 2011, which will be used to determine how HOME funds are distributed. Those priorities include: adding to existing low-income housing stock, funding projects that could not otherwise include affordable units without HOME funds, and ensuring that HOME funds are evenly distributed throughout the state. Over $16.5 million has been allocated for HOME funds for the 2011 fiscal year. Of that, about $2.5 million is designated for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), which are the primary drivers for low-income housing creation.

Alabama’s LIHTC Plan lists the same priorities as its HOME Action Plan, focusing on increased affordable housing stock and an even distribution of tax credits across the state. The LIHTC Action Plan includes credit ceilings, requirements for the application process, and required progress once tax credits have been reserved. Though the AHFA Board of Directors has approved both plans, they are not finalized. The HOME Action Plan still has to be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The LIHTC plan requires approval by Alabama’s Governor. As a result, both plans are still subject to change. Current versions of both the HOME and the LIHTC plans are available online. They are great examples of the tools states use to ensure that proper attention and funding is given to affordable housing projects.