AHFA Accepting Comments on 2020 Allocation Plans
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AHFA conducted a public hearing on June 27 in Montgomery concerning proposed 2020 program plans: the HOME Investment Partnerships Program Action Plan, the Housing Credit Qualified Allocation Plan, and the National Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan.
AHFA continues to accept written comments until 5 p.m. on July 29. All written comments must be submitted using the AHFA 2020 Plan Comment form available at
http://bit.ly/2i82idW.
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Happy Homeownership Month from AHFA!
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AHFA joined the housing community in celebrating National Homeownership Month in June by promoting the American dream of owning a home. AHFA actively promotes increasing homeownership opportunities for Alabama’s citizens, and believes that homeownership offers many benefits, including strengthening families, building communities, and promoting personal responsibility and well-being.
AHFA’s homeownership programs help make buying a home more affordable and accessible. Through the 3rd quarter of FY19, our down payment assistance, affordable income subsidy grant, and mortgage credit certificate programs have helped 703 Alabama families purchase a home.
Throughout the month, AHFA shared “10 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers” on our social media channels. These tips help educate and prepare potential homebuyers as they begin their own homebuying journey:
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Success Story: Tony Petersen, 2019 Manager of the Year
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Tony Petersen, manager of Annie Lee Gardens in Arab, was recently honored as AHFA’s 2019 Manager of the Year (MOTY). Now in its 22nd year, the MOTY award recognizes outstanding management staff at AHFA-funded developments.
Petersen oversees the daily operations of the development’s 40 affordable housing units. His nomination package, compiled by Olympia Management, included letters from residents, coworkers, and service agencies praising Petersen’s character and reputation.
Olympia Division Manager Misha Lewis wrote, “Tony is a caring manager who maintains a positive relationship with his tenants. Tony regularly checks on his tenants to ask them if they have any needs that he can assist them with. Tony takes pride in keeping the curb appeal of his property looking great. He encourages the tenants to have flowers and hanging plants. He always has his property well landscaped, which encourages prospective tenants to want to live there.”
A decorated Vietnam War veteran and former law enforcement officer, Petersen took a job in property management after finding retirement somewhat boring. Petersen said, “I was told I couldn’t work anymore, and I put up with that for about a year. I heard that there was a maintenance job open. It didn’t pay much, but it did pay the rent.”
In 2014, he took over management of Annie Lee Gardens. Tenants and coworkers alike praise his honesty, dedication, and strong work ethic. He regularly plans activities for his tenants to enjoy each other's company with coffee time, crafting, bingo night, game/movie night, and potluck dinners. A monthly newsletter keeps everyone informed of events, birthdays, inspections, pest services, and even losses in the community.
Resident Sharon York wrote, “He is the best manager we have had since I have lived at the complex. Through his dedication to his residents, Mr. Petersen has shown himself as a dependable, personable, and caring manager. He offers a sense of family to the community by offering his friendship and ear when residents are undergoing personal problems.” Petersen talks of his work as less of a job and more of a calling that he takes great pride and honor in fulfilling. “Taking care of people is the most important thing to me,” he said.
Minutes after receiving his award during the Alabama Affordable Housing Association’s conference, Petersen said, “It’s fantastic. Just the recommendation was enough for me. The people I surround myself with make me who I am.”
Petersen and his wife, Debbie, live on-site at Annie Lee Gardens and have four children, five grandchildren, and one great grandson.
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Development Spotlight: Annie Lee Gardens, Arab
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Development Info:
Olympia Construction developed Annie Lee Gardens in Arab in 2009. For seniors aged 55 and up, Annie Lee Gardens offers comfortable one- and two-bedroom apartments with plenty of extras. Apartments are equipped with a range, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator with ice maker, washer/dryer connections, covered patios, front screen doors, and plenty of storage.
AHFA Funding Sources:
$1.13 million in HOME funds (2007) and $409,166 in Housing Credits (2007)
Amenities/Tenant Services:
The complex is attractively landscaped, with additional amenities that include a clubhouse, computer center, laundry facilities, fitness center, and an outdoor picnic area with gazebo. Plenty of shopping and dining options can be found about two miles east along U.S. 231.
"In my mind, what makes this property so special is the site manager and the tenants," said Debbie Smith of Olympia Management, Inc. "The tenants take so much pride in the property. You can talk with each tenant and they tell you how much they love living there."
Annie Lee Gardens site manager Tony Petersen (see success story above) was recently named AHFA's 2019 Manager of the year. Quality management is critical to the success of any affordable housing property, but is especially true of developments for the elderly like Annie Lee Gardens.
"The challenge presented by an elderly complex is you have tenants that get to where they cannot live alone and they have to move in a nursing home or with family, and you also have tenants to pass away," said Smith. "The challenge is for the site manager who is working with the families during such a difficult time."
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AHFA is pleased to welcome American Mortgage Company and Bank of England Mortgage as participating lenders in the Step Up program.
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Outreach & Education in June
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Lender visit with Bancorp South, Auburn
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Lender visit with Trustmark, Montgomery
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Lender visit with American Mortgage Services, Montgomery
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Lender visit with Certainty Home Loans, Montgomery
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Lender visit with InterLinc, Montgomery
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Lender visit with Guild Mortgage, Montgomery
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Lender visit with Fairway, Montgomery
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Lender visit with CMG Mortgage, Montgomery
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Homebuyer seminar hosted by Auburn Bank & Auburn Housing Authority
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Training for New Step Up Lenders in July
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AHFA will host a webinar on
Monday, July 15 at 9 a.m.
for new Step Up participating lenders.
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AHFA Offices to Close for July Holiday
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The AHFA, ServiSolutions, and Hardest Hit Alabama offices will be closed
Thursday, July 4
in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
We will reopen at
8 a.m. on Friday, July 5
.
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Alabama Housing Finance Authority | Montgomery, Alabama | 334.244.9200 |
Email
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Website
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