Governance
Leadership starts at the board level, and we regularly train board members on the fundamentals of sound governance. That includes crafting bylaws, policies, and other important documents that frame the means and methods of the board’s decision-making process. Equally important, we provide specific guidance on ethical considerations where conflicts of interest may arise, or where regulators have already started to examine a board member’s conduct. Additionally, we are often asked to counsel resident councils and affiliate boards created to support new development or fundraising activities. Giving board members the tools to run effective and efficient meetings translates into healthy debate and avoids strife that can sometimes exist among disharmonious boards and with the executive team. In those instances, we have been successful bridging conflict and restoring a since or unity even in the case of policy disagreements so that our agency-clients can continue their important work without unnecessary distractions.
Regulatory Compliance
Public housing is a highly-regulated industry subject to an ever-evolving set of rules that can be difficult to track, let alone understand. As the rules change, we provide important guidance to our clients so they can pivot or adapt to stay compliant and avoid scrutiny or criticism from regulators. Indeed, many rules impose stringent and time-consuming obligations on PHAs with limited resources and a strained workforce. Thus we find it incredibly important to be a value-added part of the PHAs consulting budget so that our work leads to less staff overhead and streamlines processes. Whether tackling BABBA compliance, preparing for NSPIRE, or applying the myriad laws impacting fair housing, we give our clients the tools and advice needed for clear sailing. Indeed, it is our ability to quickly digest, synthesize, and advise on new or amended laws and rules that give our clients assurance that they are acting with the best information.
Program Management and Development
Running a PHA means administering many diverse programs, each with their own eligibility criteria, standards, and rules. Traditional public housing, HCVP, home ownership, and other important programs require a diverse knowledge base, and present unique challenges and risks. Our team has successfully managed many of these programs to lead PHAs to high performing designations, and fought through battles in courtrooms and with state and federal agencies to disprove allegations of discrimination and other claims brought by tenants and HCVP participants. Ensuring that our clients understand the fundamental “I’s” to dot and “T’s” to cross means having a defensible and good-faith basis to overcome almost any external claim, and therefore save the PHA tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars.