During the month of April 2023, A. J. Johnson will be partnering with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for three training sessions intended for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The three sessions will be presented via live webinars. The following sessions will be presented:
April 11: Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans – Understanding the Requirements – The Fair Housing Act requires federal agencies to administer all programs and activities relating to housing and urban development in a manner that “affirmatively” furthers fair housing. This means that it is not enough to prevent segregation – the government must encourage “integration.” Each owner who participates in HUD or Rural Development multifamily housing programs must develop and provide a description of the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP) for the property to comply with the requirements of the Law. A cornerstone of an AFHMP is the requirement to market a property to those “least likely to apply.” This 1.5-hour course outlines the basic requirements of an AFHMP, including marketing strategies, the meaning of “least likely to apply,” and updating the Plan. Completion of the course will assist managers in a full understanding of how to comply with HUD rules regarding these important plans.
April 19: Compliance with Federal and State Fair Housing Requirements – This course will equip attendees with the knowledge and understanding needed to avoid fair housing violations.
The course curriculum is centered around the regulations in the two major fair housing laws, The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The course also includes a discussion of the additional state and local protected characteristics. In addition, relevant portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are covered.
The purpose of the Fair Housing Act is to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities. Professional fair housing training assists in this mission by ensuring that housing professionals understand both the rights of the public relative to fair housing and the duties and responsibilities of real estate professionals.
April 20: Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – Guidance for Non-HUD Properties Subject to the Law – The Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2013 expanded VAWA protections to many different affordable housing programs – including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program. While HUD has provided detailed requirements on VAWA implementation at HUD properties, there has been no uniform guidance for LIHTC owners and managers. A proposal before Congress would legislate that LIHTC Extended Use Agreements contain VAWA requirements. The IRS has not provided guidance and while many state agencies are requiring VAWA plans, they are not providing information on what the plans should look like. This two-hour training – when combined with the course materials- will review VAWA requirements and recommend best practices for developing VAWA plans at LIHTC and other non-HUD properties. The session will be presented by A. J. Johnson, a recognized expert in the affordable housing field and the author of “A Property Manager’s Guide to the Violence Against Women Act.”
These sessions are part of the year-long collaboration between A. J. Johnson and MidAtlantic AHMA that is designed to provide affordable housing professionals with the knowledge needed to effectively manage the complex requirements of the various agencies overseeing these programs.
Persons interested in any (or all) of these training sessions may register by visiting either www.ajjcs.net or https://www.mid-atlanticahma.org.