Amy Albery and Bill Hinga Represent Wallick Communities at Annual Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition Meeting

At the end of January, Amy Albery, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, and Senior Vice President Bill Hinga represented Wallick Communities at the annual Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) meeting.

 

The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition is a trade organization made up of developers, investors, lenders, and for-profit and nonprofit attorneys and accountants, who use legislative outreach and education to advocate for affordable rental housing, financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). The Housing Credit is a public-private partnership that addresses the nation’s affordable housing needs. Since 1986, the Housing Credit program has financed nearly 3 million low-income units nationwide for families, seniors, veterans, and those with special needs. Over 128,000 of those units are located in Ohio.

 

On the meeting’s first day, Amy served as a panel member for the session “Promoting the Housing Credit in the New Congress and Administration”. During the discussion, she described the strategy behind Wallick’s grand re-openings of tax credit communities and the efforts used to attract Congressional members to participate in these events. The photo above, shows Amy Albery along with a presentation depicting U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan, of Ohio’s 4th District, at Fostoria Townhomes.

 

“During grand re-opening events, the inclusion of all business partners, who worked together to make these communities a reality, is the most successful way of fully explaining the importance of affordable housing to federal representatives. It’s about creating a story, that ends with a resident settling into their new home.”

 — Amy Albery, SVP of Asset Management

 

The AHTCC annual meeting covered several other relevant topics as well, such as the latest issues impacting tax credit investors, how the outcome of the election could affect the Housing Credit program, and how to handle challenging questions from members of Congress, media and other sources.

If you would like to learn more about the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, please visit www.taxcreditcoalition.org.

Thank you Amy Albery and Bill Hinga for representing Wallick Communities at the AHTCC annual meeting. All of your efforts and dedication toward advocacy are greatly appreciated.

Mothers of Roll Hill Community Come Together to Tackle Infant Mortality in Hamilton County

On February 13, the Villages at Roll Hill opened the doors of their community room to nonprofit organization, Cradle Cincinnati, to assist with the creation of billboards promoting safe sleeping habits for infants. Cradle Cincinnati nurses, staff from children’s hospital and mothers from Roll Hill all came together to develop these billboards, which will be placed in 52 neighborhoods across Hamilton County.

Cradle Cincinnati is a nonprofit organization funded by the Hamilton County Health Department. The program began 3 years ago, when Hamilton County was rated as one of the United States’ 231 counties with the highest infant mortality rate. On average, for every 1,000 live births in Hamilton County, around 9 infants do not survive to see their first birthday. To achieve their goal of decreasing the infant mortality rate in Hamilton County, Cradle Cincinnati focuses on promoting safe sleeping arrangements for babies, reducing tobacco use and other substance abuse during pregnancy and encouraging the expansion of time between each woman’s pregnancy to prevent prematurity. The Villages at Roll Hill were one of the very first communities to welcome Cradle Cincinnati, when the program first started. Roll Hill will continue to work with Cradle Cincinnati by hosting educational monthly workshops at their community.

Cradle Cincinnati also works to provide pack n’ plays, so mothers and fathers-to-be can setup a safe sleeping space for their baby. The organization operates a diaper bank as well, which distributes diapers to community centers across Hamilton County and even delivers diapers straight to the homes of parents.

If you would like to learn more about Cradle Cincinnati, please visit www.cradlecincinnati.org. Thank you to everyone who participated in the creation of the billboards. Your efforts to promote the wellness and safety of infants are greatly appreciated.

Also, if you are in the Cincinnati area, don’t forget to look out for the Safe Sleep Billboards that will be located in the following areas from March 6 to April 2.

  • Central Parkway & Western Hills Viaduct
  • Hopple & Beekman Street
  • Ashtree Drive & Hamilton Avenue
  • Este & Center Hill Avenue
  • Mehring Way & Freeman Avenue
  • Colerain Avenue & Elmore Street
  • Hamilton & Roosevelt Avenue
  • Montgomery & Smith Road
  • Colerain & Compton Road
  • Crookshank Road & Glenway Avenue

Grand Re-Opening and Renovations of Taylor Ridge Apartments

Independence KY – Federal, state and local officials and development partners gathered on Thursday to cut the ceremonial ribbon at Taylor Ridge, an affordable apartment community in Independence, Kentucky.

Attendees included: Shane Noem on behalf of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell; Chris Moriconi, Independence City Administrator; Howard Wallick, Co-Owner of Wallick Communities; Jeremy Ratliff, Managing Director of Multifamily Program at Kentucky Housing Corp.; Stephanie Brown, Vice President of City Real Estate Advisors; Jeffery Banker, Vice President, Lancaster Pollard; and Kevin Donovan, Vice President, Fifth-Third Bank.

The $14 million rehabilitation includes energy efficiency improvements throughout; new kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances; new bathroom vanities, cabinets and flooring; new patios, sidewalks and landscaping; new ENERGY STAR® windows and roof system; new bus shelter and playground equipment; new picnic patio area and new community room with kitchen and computer center.

“The Taylor Ridge renovation represents a reinvestment in the community and a commitment that the residents of Taylor Ridge, and families in the Independence area, continue to have decent, safe, affordable housing,” said Wallick.

Taylor Ridge consist of 99 units of project-based Section 8 Housing. The property was originally built in 1982. The project was financed through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation.

The Housing Credit is the primary source of financing in the country for creating affordable housing opportunities. The program provides tax incentives for private companies to develop, preserve and invest in affordable rental housing. In exchange for the credits, the property must remain affordable and available to households at or below 60% of the area median income.

Grand Re-Opening and Renovations of Falcon Woods

Holland, MI – U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga and other federal, state and local officials gathered today to commemorate the renovation of Falcon Woods, an affordable apartment community in Holland, Michigan.

Along with Representative Huizenga, attendees included: representatives for Senator Gary Peters and Senator Debbie Stabenow; Kevin Elsenheimer, Executive Director of Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA); Al Vanderberg, Ottawa County Administrator; Vince Bush, Holland Charter Township Treasurer; Michael Murray, Senior Vice President of City Real Estate Advisors; and Howard Wallick, Co-Owner of Wallick Communities.

“MSHDA is proud to provide financing toward this renovation and expect these changes will contribute greatly to a better quality of life for the individuals and families who call Falcon Woods home,” Elsenheimer said. The $5.5 million rehabilitation included new siding, roofing, windows and doors; new bathroom and kitchen fixtures and appliances, new playground, landscaping and parking lot, and energy-efficient improvements throughout.

The project was financed through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds, MSHDA Preservation Fund and MSHDA permanent debt financing.

“The Falcon Woods renovation represents a reinvestment in the community and a commitment that the residents of Falcon Woods, and families in the Holland area, continue to have decent, safe, affordable housing,” said Wallick.

Falcon Woods consists of 144 units in 18 buildings. The property was originally developed using Housing Credits in 1995. Wallick Communities acquired the property in 2011, and was awarded Housing Credits to renovate the property in 2014. Partners in the project include: Wallick Communities, MSHDA, City Real Estate Advisors and Hooker De Jong.

‘Mama Lisa’ builds community in a Cincinnati ‘village’

Wallick Receives Housing Credits for 3 Kentucky Communities

This spring, Wallick Communities received $1.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Kentucky Housing Corporation to rehabilitate three of our apartment communities in Kentucky. This is the first time Wallick has been awarded three deals from Kentucky in the same round.

The communities that will be rehabbed include:
Bedford Village – 40 apartments in Bedford, KY
Locust Ridge – 72 apartments in Dry Ridge, KY
Highpoint – 44 apartments for seniors in Ludlow, KY

These awards exemplify Wallick’s commitment to reinvesting in our communities and improving living standards for our residents.

Great job to Bonnie Harbage, Matt Shoemacher, Alexis Dunfee and others who committed time and effort into structuring these deals and putting these applications together.

Wallick Adds 10 Columbus MHA Properties to Management Portfolio

Earlier this month, Wallick Communities began providing property management services for ten Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) communities.

Wallick was one of seven companies competing for the contract, acquiring 2/3 of the total business available. We are very excited to be partnering with CMHA and look forward to a long and successful relationship. The CMHA properties add 969 units to our management portfolio, and we are pleased to welcome 24 new employees. The new communities include:

  • Eastmoor Square, 53 units
  • Glenview Estates, 50 units
  • Indian Meadows, 72 units
  • Kenmore Square, 56 units
  • Ohio Townhouses, 80 units
  • Post Oak Station, 148 units
  • Rosewind, 230 units (pictured above)
  • The Meadows, 95 units
  • Thornwood Commons, 86 units
  • Worley Terrace, 100 units

Words of Inspiration: CEO Tom Feusse Addresses Ohio Housing Conference Attendees

This week, a record number of nearly 1,700 industry professionals attended the Ohio Housing Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. At the opening session on Tuesday, Wallick Communities CEO Tom Feusse kicked off the day with a few inspirational words about the future of our industry, encouraged attendees to continue to make a difference, and revealed that Wallick Communities will celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2016. “In 1966, Jack Wallick formed our company, along with his business partner Sandy Goldston. He did so because he decided to take on the liabilities of a defunct, out-of-state contractor, even though he was not obligated to. He did so because he felt it was the right thing to do,” said Tom. “Today, 50 years later, we still work to do the right thing. It doesn’t just speak to the values of Wallick, but it speaks to the values of our industry.”

Wallick Communities was well represented at the conference. Senior Vice President of Asset Management Amy Albery participated in a panel discussion, A Comprehensive Analysis of Housing Credit Portfolio Trends; Vice President of Development Nicole Boyer moderated a PP&D Funding Programs panel; and Resident Resources Executive Director Shon Burch (formerly Bunkley) shared her story of triumph on a panel, 9:9 Stories.

Heart of Service: Holiday Help

Earlier this week, Wallick Communities volunteers provided dinner to nearly 100 residents, provided families with Kroger gift cards, and handed out gift bags filled with hats, gloves and scarves to all children in attendance. Several items were also raffled off to families, including a vacuum cleaner, microwave, crockpot, pots and pans, dishes, and Tupperware. Santa greeted all children and fun was had by all.

Also last week, volunteers participated in the Holiday Clearing House 2015 for People in Need, Inc. of Delaware County, which is a private, not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) agency dedicated to providing emergency assistance to Delaware County residents. Volunteers of the event sorted and organized food, clothing and toys for later distribution to families in need and senior and disabled homebound residents.

Wallick Communities is committed to serving all our residents. Through the act of volunteering, our communities are strengthened, our neighbors uplifted, and our associates embrace an attitude and a heart of service.

Local Nonprofits Benefit from Ramada Purchase

Imagine purchasing a hotel that is to be repurposed and having to figure out what to do with the contents of its 150 fully furnished rooms, lobby and restaurant.

Wallick contemplated hiring a company to take everything away but then devised a more creative solution: donate these items to area nonprofits.

This week and next, Wallick will distribute hundreds of items—beds, linens, towels, furniture, appliances and more—to four local charities.

Wallick’s Heart of Service Committee coordinated the effort. Heart of Service is an associate-led group tasked with engaging the company’s associates in giving through service.

Wallick Communities — Finalist for Business First Best Places to Work Award

Two of Wallick Communities’ most important, ongoing business goals are to be a great place to live for our residents and a great place to work for our associates.

We are proud to be named a finalist for Business First newspaper’s “Best Places to Work” in the mid-size business category for the third year in a row. This recognizes the top companies in Central Ohio based on confidential employee satisfaction surveys.

New Team Drives Development Activity Well Above Expectations

Wallick Raises Equity via Opportunity Zone Fund

Wallick Acquires Affordable Housing Portfolio

Wallick Works to Shape Industry Through Advocacy and Education

Wallick Leverages Internal Social Media to Drive Affordable Housing Occupancy

Wallick Completes New, Innovative Memory Care Community

Wallick Continues to Rehabilitate Affordable Communities Across Kentucky