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Home as a hobby

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3 min read

Some of us have bizarre hobbies.

In our office, in addition to publishing Tax Credit Advisor, we manage organizations that address the needs of aging Americans. This has inspired me to be a collector of stories about creative aging solutions, including many in housing. Some of my favorites—including MetaHousing’s Arts Colonies, senior housing that contains art studios, music studios and theaters, and the Actors Fund residences where people get to spend later life with others with whom they shared an occupation—have been covered previously in these pages.

One outstanding project we have not yet covered (and one of my absolute favorites) is Hogeway outside Amsterdam, a residence for people with dementia. Since doctors have determined that those with severe cognitive issues are not comfortable adjusting to changes in society, each of the seven buildings at Hogeway is devoted to a different decade. The décor is of the period, the staff dresses in period fashion, the music is golden oldies and residents get to continue living in the era in which they were young and comfortable.

There appears to be a widening interest within the industry on developing living that is both affordable and assisted. Our affiliated organization, the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association, recently featured a panel on the topic at its Summer Institute in Quebec City. And it is a vital solution to numerous aging issues that is now way up near the top of my personal collection list. At first glance, combining the costs of both managing a low-income facility and providing assisted living services may appear unaffordable. But companies are finding workable approaches combining Low Income Housing Tax Credits with Medicaid Waivers, two successful programs that may be imperiled by careless approaches to tax reform. Saving money can cost us lives. Saving lives can cost us money. Our priorities are being tested.

In this issue, we provide an introduction to the concept of Affordable Assisted Living and the role Medicaid Waivers play in their funding. (Layers of Subsidies). And staff writer Mark Olshaker presents a case study on the innovative approach the Wallick Communities has taken in developing the Ashford, an affordable assisted living property just outside Columbus, OH. (Affordable & Assisted with a Wow Factor)

If you follow us monthly, I hope you have been enjoying the writing of Scott Beyer, who visits a different city each month for his Housing USA column. This month’s stop is Salt Lake City where Scott explored the Mormon involvement in affordable housing. He has also provided a feature in this issue on the innovative Healthy Neighborhoods Investment Fund in Massachusetts. (What is a Healthy Neighborhood?). Scott recently launched his new media company, The Market Urbanism Report, dedicated to bringing free-market policy ideas into cities. Market Urbanists believe that if cities are liberalized from government aggression, they’d have cheaper housing, faster transport, improved public services and better quality of life. His sensible and uniquely bipartisan viewpoint inspires innovative ideas for tackling urban crises. I think you’d enjoy visiting marketurbanismreport.com.

Also in this issue, in order to help you through the maze of state housing finance agency decision making on LIHTC, NH&RA presents a state-by-state survey on cost containment criteria that impact the awarding of tax credits. (Cost Containment Survey). After all, cost containment may well be the hobby of some of you.

Marty Bell
Editor