Allocation
The Housing Credit is administered by the Department of Treasury, which issues tax credits to state Housing Credit allocating agencies based on the state’s population. The allocating agencies develop Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) that include selection criteria, based on local priorities, to guide the type and location of affordable housing developed in each state. Developers submit applications to receive Housing Credits, and the credits are awarded to the most qualified developers through a highly competitive selection process. On average, state Housing Credit allocating agencies receive applications requesting more than three times their available authority.
Financing & Development
The Housing Credit is administered by the Department of Treasury, which issues tax credits to state Housing Credit allocating agencies based on the state’s population. The allocating agencies develop Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) that include selection criteria, based on local priorities, to guide the type and location of affordable housing developed in each state. Developers submit applications to receive Housing Credits, and the credits are awarded to the most qualified developers through a highly competitive selection process. On average, state Housing Credit allocating agencies receive applications requesting more than three times their available authority.
Developers then sell the tax credits to investors in exchange for equity capital through a process called “syndication.” With capital from investors, developers can limit the amount of money they need to borrow for construction, which reduces the developers’ debt so that they can keep rents affordable. Without an incentive like the Housing Credit, it is simply not financially feasible for the private sector to build affordable homes for the families that need them most.
Once a Housing Credit development is completed, meets all requirements, and is occupied by low-income tenants, the investors are able to begin claiming tax credits to reduce their federal tax liability. While the credits are awarded over a ten-year period, they can be recaptured by the IRS any time in the first fifteen years if the development falls out of compliance, and the development must remain affordable for a period of at least 30 years. This unique financing structure means that the private sector – not the government – bears the financial risk, which has led to a high degree of private sector oversight. State Housing Credit allocating agencies also monitor developments closely for compliance.
Investment in the Housing Credit is also a designated activity under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), meaning that certified crediting institutions, such as banks, can also meet CRA obligations by investing in the Housing Credit.
Affordable Housing Impact
Low-income families whose income are at or below 60 percent of the area median income (AMI) are able to rent Housing Credit properties, and rent payments are capped at 30 percent of the income limit for each apartment. The over 3.7 million apartments financed by the Housing Credit have provided affordable homes to more than 8 million low-income families since 1986, making it easier for them to afford other necessities like health care, transportation and nutritious food.
For more information, see the ACTION Campaign’s resources about the Housing Credit as well as in every state and congressional district.
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