Top 10 Application/Development Success Tips

1. Register (or confirm contact information) in the AHFA Multifamily Mailing List and AHFA’s Authority Online DMS. Development team members can complete the registration process at any time in DMS (make sure to obtain and retain the Organization Code for each team member). Once your team is registered, you can affiliate your team members (using the Organization Codes) with your project application when the Application Cycle opens.
2. READ the Plans, the Addenda, the Definitions, the Application Forms and Application Instructions. Submit questions and communicate problems.  
3. Check Your Email and AHFA’s Website for Updates. AHFA will send Multifamily Notices with critical information about the application process.
4. Secure Proposed Property with A Renewable Option to Purchase. Renewable Options allow you the flexibility needed because of the varying lengths of the approval process.  
5. Engage Your Environmental Professional Early. Provide your environmental professional with a copy of AHFA’s Environmental Policy Requirements.
6. Check the Property Zoning for the Proposed Property. Make sure the property is zoned for the proposed use. Review the applicable zoning ordinance(s) and provide the zoning requirements for the proposed project.
7. Check for Property Deed Restrictions. These may include Easements or Restrictive Covenants. Obtain approvals from the entity(ies) holding any restriction(s) on the proposed property prior to submitting your application.
8. Keep Ownership Entities Manageable.  A large ownership structure creates additional opportunity for errors and may add additional costs to the application.
9. Review the Application for Missing Information or Inconsistencies. Missing or incorrect information may result in additional fees or penalties.
10. Quality Control Review. Perform a quality control review of the threshold requirements listed in the Plans to ensure your application is eligible for an allocation of funds.  

EXTRA TIP: Ensure Prior-Funded Multifamily Properties Stay in Compliance. Penalty points for noncompliance may be assessed to your application.  

Updated Tips for Working with Your Environmental Professional

The following is an updated list of tips for working with your Environmental Professional (EP) in preparing the environmental assessment to be submitted with applications for AHFA-related projects. 

NEW:

AHFA’s current Environmental Policy Requirements (Addendum B) state that all Phase I Environmental Site Assessments must comply with “the current version of the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process’ as of the date the Phase I ESA is completed.” AHFA is aware that ASTM replaced ASTM E1527-13 with ASTM E1527-21 on November 1, 2021. However, as of the date of this notice, neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) nor HUD have adopted the new ASTM standard. Until such time as EPA or HUD adopt the new ASTM standard or AHFA withdraws this notice, AHFA will accept Phase I ESAs that comply with the ASTM E1527-13 standard and all other requirements of AHFA’s Environmental Policy Requirements. 1/6/22

• Cost: Understand that environmental assessments for AHFA-funded projects require significantly more work than a standard Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and are more costly than a standard Phase I ESA.
• Timing: Start discussions with your EP as early as possible (as soon as possible after a site is selected) to ensure they have sufficient time to prepare a complete environmental assessment before the application deadline. 
• Scope of Assessment: Carefully review the scope of work with the EP to ensure it fully complies with all of AHFA’s Environmental Policy Requirements.
• Site Boundaries: Provide accurate site boundaries to EP for the property seeking AHFA funding. 
• Site History: Provide, as soon as possible to the EP, any relevant information regarding the Applicant’s knowledge of the site and its history.

Alabama Housing Finance Authority | www.AHFA.com