In 2000, Abilities of Florida received $1.17 million of HUD Section 811 funding to purchase and renovate 18 condominium units in the Crestview Condominium complex in Cocoa. Thirteen years later, Abilities received $873,000 million in Section 811 funding to acquire and renovate an additional seven units. JPH Associates is pleased to announce that a total of 25 units or 20 percent of all units in the complex are now accessible for persons who are disabled and whose household incomes are defined as very low income. The newly renovated units are but a handful of units within the State of Florida that have received the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Certification designation. This designation allowed for the inclusion of features such as high SEER air conditioning/heating, energy star appliances, low flow plumbing fixtures, impact resistance/low e windows, low emission paints, and the incorporation of recycled materials throughout. The end result is a more efficient and intelligent design, plus significant reductions in future operating costs, which will directly benefit those tenants who are physically disabled.
Archive for the ‘JPH News 2013’ Category
Abilities @ Crestview II
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013HUD Section 811 PRA Demo Award Announcement
Thursday, February 14th, 2013In May of 2012, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Multifamily Housing Programs has published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (PRA Demo). This program was intended to fund State housing agencies or other appropriate housing agencies to provide long term project-based rental assistance contracts for approximately 3,500 affordable housing units set aside for extremely low-income persons with disabilities. Authorized by the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010, the 811 PRA Demo will award rental assistance funds to state housing agencies (or other appropriate entities) that have formed partnerships with state Medicaid and health and human services agencies that have developed methods for identifying, referring, and conducting outreach to a target population of extremely low-income persons with disabilities requiring long term services and supports. These operating funds will be used to set aside supportive units for this target population in affordable housing complexes whose capital costs are funded through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds, or other sources.
The awards were announced on February 13, 2013 and thirteen (13) state housing agencies received awards. Unfortunately, Florida was not one of the awardees. It is difficult to determine at this point why Florida was not successful, but it is likely due to the absence of partnerships with other Medicaid and Health and Human Service Departments. We are hopeful that Florida will self-evaluate their failure on this grant application and seek to put into place the necessary framework in order to improve their competitive position for future funding applications.
The Section 811 PRA Demo awards have been granted. The press release and list of awards is posted on the HUD.GOV website. HUD Press Release HUDNo.13-024
In summary, approximately $98 million was awarded to 13 state housing agencies, which will ultimately create 3530 more units of housing for persons with disabilities. This innovative demonstration brings together housing and healthcare services through a unique partnership with HHS (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
Documenting the Need for Affordable Housing for the Elderly
Saturday, January 26th, 2013
Waiting for the lottery for first 75. DGN receives over 678 applications for 75 units opening in mid April 2013!
JPH & Associates is the consultant overseeing DGN Towers III, a 75-unit HUD Section 202 being developed in Pembroke Pines, Florida by Miami Jewish health Systems (MJHS).
On January 24th, 2013, at 3pm, MJHS staff began a lottery drawing for the upcoming 75 new apartment units. Advertised in late December 2012, staff handed out over 1,000 applications of which 678 had been returned by the 2pm cutoff of January 25th.
First Applicant Drawn from Lottery
Staff reported hundreds in attendance for the drawing. Staff utilized the services of a security company to help direct traffic, which was parked curbside all the way to Douglas Road!
Cars, cars everywhere!
This is a major statement regarding the need for low income senior housing. Owner preferences were for persons 62 and older who are paying more than 50% of their income for rent, displaced by government action or government declared disaster. Staff notes that although this is the fifth project for MJHS, they are still astonished by the need. In Florida, for every 15 seniors needing housing, there is one unit in stock. With aging in place, many never make it to affordable housing. Following are some selected pictures of the marketing and lottery activities.
DGN Towers III Senior Housing Team
My personal congratulations to the Senior Housing Staff and the “teamwork” that went into this event. Everyone was orderly, though we were crowded. Overflow went into the lounge adjacent to the community room with standing room only. Before the drawing, we encouraged all those present to voice their opinion to Congress individually regarding the need for more low income senor housing. Those sponsored and managed by non-profit, faith based institutions such as ours, are efficient and cost effective use of the taxpayers dollars. After all, these are the persons who helped build our great country. This Phase III building is the last of the capital advance projects built until Congress takes notice of the housing crisis facing our seniors.
DGN Towers III Senior Housing Team Before Drawing
Manager Donald C Wills checks ticket number for intake.
Community draws tickets for Jennifer Salgado.
Hernandez and Marta Chavarria enjoy a quick bite.
Pope John XXIII Villas
Wednesday, January 9th, 2013
Pope John XXIII Villas
JPH & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of Pope John XXIII Villas, an affordable elderly housing project completed by the Diocese of Venice. JPH & Associates, Inc coordinated all aspects of the project from the grant application process up through initial occupancy. This 68 unit, $9.7 million dollar project was financed by the US Department of HUD, in addition to Lee County which provided supplementary funding of $600,000. Lee County funding was used to complete a variety of off-site improvements which included a road, extension of utilities, and flood prevention improvements. The project is located adjacent to Blessed Pope John XXIII Catholic Church. Unique design and construction elements include a back-up generator which will power all common areas and one elevator in the event of a power interruption, use of tile throughout, electric elevators, and fully accessible units. The project is one of the first HUD 202 properties which has received the Florida Green Building Coalition Platinum energy rating. The contractor reported per unit electric costs of only $12 during the month of October.
Pope John XXIII Villas Community Room
Pope John XXIII Villas Hallway
Pope John XXIII Villas Kitchen
Pope John XXIII Villas
Pope John XXIII Villas Entrance
Pope John XXIII Aerial View
Pope John XXIII Aerial View