HOPE VI

TAG Associates, Inc. is one of the nation's foremost firms working on HOPE VI and other affordable housing programs. TAG Associates has participated in the implementation of numerous HOPE VI and public housing redevelopment and modernization projects and has unequaled experience in all aspects of the HOPE VI program. With an extremely broad base of experience to draw on, TAG is intimately familiar with the program's numerous goals and the obstacles that may arise in the course of reaching those goals.

The following is a list of the some of the work TAG team members have done in HOPE VI related programs:

National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing

• TAG Associates, Inc. was the lead consultant and coordinated commission activities and oversaw case studies and report writing for the assessment of distressed housing throughout the U.S. These case studies served as the basis for the subsequent creation of the HOPE VI program by the United States Congress.

District of Columbia

• TAG participated on the team which wrote a successful HOPE VI application for the Ellen Wilson development, as well as writing the HUD-approved demolition application and Revitalization Plan
• TAG serves as the Alternative Administrator for the Ellen Wilson HOPE VI.

  The Ellen Wilson HOPE VI is an innovative revitalization in an historical district on Capitol Hill. As the Alternative Administrator, TAG acts in lieu of the Authority in the operation of the HOPE VI program. The development is a mixed-income cooperative homeownership program that includes privately financed market rate units. Costs of ownership are based on a sliding scale and are designed to keep the units affordable for new buyers in future years. The use of funds is based on establishing operating reserves so that there will be no future requirements for HUD operating subsidies. The rights of the DCHA are preserved through a land lease, a local monitoring and oversight entity known as the "New Community Trust", reporting requirements, and options for intervention in the event of the development's return to any of the original indicators of distress.

 

Muncie Housing Authority (IN)

• TAG serves as the HOPE VI program manager for the Millenium Place HOPE VI redevelopment project
• TAG has successfuly assisted the MHA with closing the first three phases of the project
• TAG is currently closely working with the MHA and other stakeholders in designing the homeownership plan, the development budget, and the implementation scheule

Mobile Housing Board (AL)

• TAG serves as the program manager for the Albert Ownens/Jesse Thomas Homes HOPE VI revitalization project.
• TAG has successfully assisted the Mobile Housing Board in selecting a qualified developer to redevelop the distressed public housing stock
• TAG is assiting the Mobile Housing Board and the developer in obtaining the Low Income Housing Tax Credit needed to build the Phase I Homeownership units
• TAG is also assisting the Mobile Housing Boad with the evaluation of the potentially difficult environmental situation on the distressed parcels

Housing Authority of the City of Fresno

• TAG successfuly drafted a 2003 HOPE VI application for the distressed HACF housing stock
• TAG currently serves as the HOPE VI program manager for the revitailization project
• TAG is assisting the HACF with establishing a CSS Endowment Trust account for the benefit of the local low-income residents
• TAG is also actively working with the HACF on the development plan beyond the HOPE VI revitalization scope

Housing Authority of Kansas City (MO)

• TAG developed the Revitalization Plan for and assisted with the implementation of the 1993 Guinotte Manor grant. The project involved the construction of 219 new units, both flats and town homes, and one for one replacement of remaining units as part of the HAKC scattered site program, many of which are located in non-impacted neighborhoods. The project also provided substantial employment and job training opportunities for residents. Construction of the on-site units was completed in February 2000 and the site is fully occupied. The program also included public housing units in innovative mixed income multi-family rental settings. This project is the recipient of a New Face of America's Public Housing award from the Congress for the New Urbanism.
• TAG assisted in the preparation of the successful application for the Theron B. Watkins HOPE VI Grant, awarded in 1996. This project focused on the complete modernization of the units, abatement of lead and asbestos, the creation of community and defensible space and reduced site density. Two buildings were removed to open up the site with one for one replacement taking place off-site. More effective lighting, attractive perimeter fencing, landscaping, new sidewalks and the renovation of the Clymer Center (now hosting multiple community organizations) have all contributed to the success of this fully occupied development. All demolished public housing unitsare being replaced in mixed finance developments located in non-traditional and non-impacted neighborhoods.
• TAG assisted in the preparation of the successful 1997 and 1998 HOPE grants for Heritage House and in the implementation of the Revitalization Plan. The development, now named Cardinal Ridge, contains 160 rental units (90 seniors, 70 families) that are a combination of public housing, tax credit and market rate apartments, as well as 26 single family homes that are currently under construction. This application was the first HOPE VI award aimed at the replacement of elderly housing with a mixed elderly/family setting located in a suburban neighborhood. All public housing units are replaced under this program with income restricted rental, market rate rental, units adapted for the mobility impaired, as well as homeownership.

Decatur (IL) Housing Authority TAG is currently serving as the Technical Assistance Provider for the Longview Place HOPE VI Grant for the redevlopment of the Near North neighborhood. TAG, along with its team members, are providing assistance in the areas of financing, market analysis, developer selection and negotiations, master planning, tax credits, mixed finance evidentiaries, homeownership, housing management and re-occupancy and community and supportive services. The program encompasses the comprehensive revitalization of the Near North neighborhood, including market and income restricted housing and commercial/retail development.

Springfield (IL) Housing Authority

• TAG was the lead consultant in a joint venture performing full-service program management for the John Hay Homes HOPE VI. TAG managed the program from master planning through occupancy. As part of the effort to finance the project, TAG assisted in the creation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. The new community, known as Madison Park Place, is a model for the successful implementation of HOPE VI grants throughout the country and is located in the downtown of Springfield, the State of Illinois capital . The program also included homeownership and neighborhood wide scattered site housing developed in conjunction with a housing authority sponsored and created non-profit corporation.

Cincinnati Metroplitan Housing Authority TAG has served as a HOPE VI Financial Advisor for the CMHA's Laurel Homes development. Work on this project has included a review of all HOPE VI documents and provision of financial options or proposals to achieve project goals, provision of advice with respect to HUD regulations and the approval process and assistance in the area of commercial financing. Housing Authority of the City of Greenville (SC) TAG has served as the HOPE VI Financial Advisor for the Valley Creek Community revitalization project. Tasks for this project included the evaluation of financial structures to leverage additional resources, assistance in the preparation of a mixed fiance proposal for submission to HUD, negotiating development partner agreements and fees, structuring the ownership interests of the Authority and the review of financial, legal and management documents. Philadelphia Housing Authority TAG participated in the drafting of the successful 2001 Mill Creek application and has assisted in the program management of this project. Revitalization included the demolition of 496 units which were replaced by 120 on-site units and 507 off-site units. Deconcentration went from 35 to 9.5 units per acre. The project has leveraged $53 million in additional public and private funds. Resident self-sufficiency was an important component through job training, small business development, youth programs and substance abuse counseling.

Indianapolis Housing Agency

• TAG wrote the successful HOPE VI Planning and Implementation Grant applications for the Concord Village-Eagle Creek project, an innovative project that has sought to utilize opportunities to incorporate the distressed and abandoned housing between the developments into the HOPE VI plan as scattered site homeownership units.

Housing Authority of the City of Houston

• TAG wrote a successful HOPE VI implementation grant application for Allen Parkway, as well as a management plan and a designated housing plan.

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

• TAG wrote a successful HOPE VI implementation grant application for Aliquippa Terrace.

Tucson (AZ)

• TAG provided technical assistance for a successful HOPE VI application for the Connie Chambers site in Tucson.
• TAG participated in the development of an innovative HOPE VI plan which will replace all site housing with scattered site housing, and replace the housing on site through leveraged financing, with a partner who will develop a mixed income community. The final result is an increase in available low-income units.

Seattle (WA)

• TAG prepared a successful HOPE VI implementation grant application and Revitalization Plan for the Holly Park site.