The ROAD Forward

The ROAD Forward initiative aims to increase the supply of needed family rental housing near jobs.

Informational Webinar | Tuesday, August 31st at 4:00CST 
Join Ben Peyton, LISC Greater Kansas City, Jennifer Tidwell, City of Kansas City, Missouri, Edwin Lowndes, Housing Authority of Kansas City Missouri, Erik Berg, Lee Summit Housing Authority and Marlene Nagel, Mid American Regional Council on August 31st as they discuss all things The Road Forward. 
Topics:
What is the ROAD Forward and how does it work
Details on the application process and selection criteria
What’s in it for developers
What’s in it for communities
Q&A

Did you miss this Webinar? Download the PowerPoint here and watch the Webinar below. (Due to technical issues, we missed recording the first few minutes.) 

What is The ROAD Forward, and who does it benefit?

Recognizing that much of our workforce and their families cannot afford to live near their jobs and that a family’s zip code is the greatest predictor of a child’s future health and earnings, the Regional Opportunity Area Development Finance Initiative (ROAD Forward) was developed as a regional collaboration to encourage affordable housing development near jobs and educational opportunities in the Kansas City, Missouri region.    

The ROAD Forward partners have pooled and dedicated project-based rental assistance subsidies and other resources to increase the supply of housing options for families with children near good jobs, schools, transportation, and other amenities. The ROAD Forward aims to increase the supply of such options by supporting needed construction, redevelopment and preservation activities.

The ROAD Forward initiative will award up to 20-year rental assistance contracts that are renewable for a total of 40 years to eligible affordable housing projects. This would offer the following to housing developers and providers:

• Increased and stabilized occupancy and income
• Reduced marketing and turnover expenses
• Greater appeal to underwriters and lenders

Tenant applicants for these subsidies will be referred to the developer from the existing waitlists of ROAD Forward’s Public Housing Authority partners.  Selected eligible residents will be able to pay an affordable rent (30% of household income).

The initial pilot will service all eligible jurisdictions served by housing authorities of Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, including the following cities in Missouri: Birmingham, Blue Springs, Blue Summit, Claycomo, Gladstone, Glenaire, Grandview, Kansas City, Lake Lotawana, Lake Tapawingo, Lake Waukomis, Lake Weatherby, Lee’s Summit, Kansas City, North Kansas City, Parkville, Platte Woods, Pleasant Valley, Randolph, Raytown, Riverside and Sugar Creek.

How many apartments can The ROAD Forward support?

During the pilot phase, the ROAD Forward is prepared to commit subsidies for up to 100 multifamily and scattered site rental opportunities. In most cases, the ROAD Forward will provide subsidies to no less than five units, and no more than 25% of the total rentals, in any one property.

Who are The ROAD Forward partners, and what are their various roles?

Launched by the Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) of Kansas City and Lee’s Summit -- together with the City of Kansas City, MO, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), LISC Greater Kansas City, United Way of Greater Kansas City and in consultation with the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC).

How to Apply to the ROAD Forward Program

The ROAD Forward has a competitive, rolling application process through September 10.  At this time, property owners and developers may submit applications at any time, but those also seeking LIHTC must make an appointment to meet with LISC staff before September 10. You can access the ROAD Forward RFP Here and the ROAD Forward application Here.

Application steps are as follows:

1. Download and review the appropriate application.

2. To secure a soft commitment letter for the MHDC LIHTC application please:
   
   a) Make an appointment and meet individually with LISC and MARC staff, who are representing The ROAD Forward partners, BEFORE September 10, to discuss the housing proposal, the ROAD Forward priorities and the ROAD Forward supplemental submittal. 
   
   b) Submit latest draft of MHDC and ROAD Forward application materials and/or most recent and relevant information to LISC and MARC staff in advance of that appointment.
   
   c) Address any follow-up questions or requests for information in a timely fashion.

3. If the above discussion results in the decision for The ROAD Forward to issue a soft commitment letter, the subsequent process is as follows:
   
   a) ROAD Forward Staff will issue a letter both to the applicant and to MHDC staff.
   
   b) Applicants must submit to LISC and MARC staff their final ROAD Forward application and supporting documentation along with copies of their MHDC LIHTC application (which should include The ROAD Forward soft commitment letter) on the same day that MHDC applications are due to MHDC.
   
   c) The ROAD Forward selection panel will meet to review applications on the same timetable as MHDC, providing final recommendations to MHDC in time to inform the final MHDC scoring.
   
   d) If approved by the panel and the local housing authority, at the appropriate point it time, the owner will enter into a contract with the housing authority that outlines the financial and procedural obligations of both parties. Subsidy layering and environmental reviews will also be required.

Contact

Ben Peyton, Program Officer

Email