Affordable Housing Professionals

This full-day course provides a basic understanding of the required steps necessary for determining “eligibility” to buy or rent an affordable housing unit. It reviews common components including determining household size, calculating income and assets, verifying information, comparing to posted limits, etc. The course also reviews key differences between programs or regulatory bodies including ramifications for errors made. It provides students with “tricks of the trade” and best practices. A final exam is administered in open-book format.

This half-day session focuses on the nature of the public trust and the “rules” for ethical behavior that are relevant for affordable housing professionals. New Jersey law and HUD regulations are examined and applied to ethical issues using a case study approach. A final exam is administered in open-book format.

This half-day session centers on discrimination in housing, including state and federal legislation. It discusses who can be penalized, how disabilities are defined, what are reasonable accommodations, and what policies and procedures should be established and followed. The Fair Housing complaint process is also reviewed, and a multitude of resources (written, audio, visual, etc.) are shared. A final exam is administered in open-book format.

This two-day course defines affordable housing programs. Topics covered include the history of housing policy, the laws, regulations and court cases relative to affordable housing at both the federal and the state level, and their impact on housing availability. Students are familiarized with various programs, funding sources, regulatory entities, rules and regulations all related to the evolution of affordable housing. A final exam is administered in open-book format.

This course will provide students with an understanding as to how affordable units are decided and placed in the community. Topics include how sites are determined; guidelines currently in effect to determine affordable housing obligations; roles of the planning board and governing body; working with developers; working with affordable housing commissions; and knowing how to read a site plan to find the affordable housing components. A final exam is administered in open-book format.

Nontraditional development opportunities for housing authorities and redevelopment agencies are explored in this one-day course, including housing provided under the state’s Mount Laurel requirements. Strategies for developing housing within a wide range of are discussed, and the household income levels established by various federal and state programs are described. Specific attention is given to “how-to” tips for establishing and working with nonprofit corporations. 

This full-day course teaches Administrative Agents what to know when qualifying applicants for affordable housing. From what to look for when starting a new project to requirements for qualification in the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls to hands on experience and thoughtful advice from seasoned Administrative Agents, this class will give an overview of the regulations and the step-by-step procedures for the qualification process. A final exam is administered in open-book format.

Note: This course is highly recommended as an elective for Administrative Agents.

This half-day course examines the requirements for the use, retention and release of records kept by municipalities and their outsourced agencies providing affordable housing services in the course of the administration of affordable units. The course also reviews the Open Public Records Act requirements and compliance.