Since its founding in 2001, POAH has been unique among preservation owners not only for its business model – which attends closely to the bottom line of every transaction – but also for its commitment to policy and regulatory reform around a range of housing affordability issues.

In the highly regulated field of affordable housing, deals don't just happen. The POAH team has found ways to bring flexibility and innovation while balancing the interests of owner, lenders, investors, and government agencies. The expertise of POAH’s staff and their understanding of the constantly evolving rules and opportunities in state and federal housing finance have allowed POAH to complete successful transactions where others may see insurmountable obstacles.

POAH preserves the use of affordable housing through refinancing transactions with strictures that keep rents affordable for the long-term (20+ years). These transactions can maintain or add rental subsidies, refinance existing debts, and/or introduce or modify income eligibility restrictions to meet preservation goals.

In strong markets, where there are better schools and access to jobs and services, and where market forces conspire to push rents beyond any affordable threshold, POAH focuses its efforts on preserving well-maintained properties which might otherwise ‘opt out’ of any affordability restrictions.

Where the market is not strong and there are few financial incentives for an owner to repair, maintain or upgrade an affordable rental property, the rents may remain low, but the deteriorated conditions can be physically harmful to the residents and destructive to long-term community health and vitality.  In this situation, POAH seeks ownership to restore the property to habitability as well as long-term affordability.

One key preservation requirement across either type of  transaction is the continued provision of long-term, property-based rental subsidies.

Read about housing 'at risk'.