R2B. How to Work with Your Tax Credit Allocation Agency

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the primary federal resource for attracting private investment into the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. LIHTC is jointly administered by the IRS and State Tax Credit Allocation Agencies (Allocating Agencies), of which there are 53. The relationship between Housing Justice Network members and the local Allocating Agencies varies significantly by state. The ability of HJN members to make progress on LIHTC matters, without litigation, is frequently dependent on the relationship that they have, or don’t have, with their State Allocating Agencies. The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) is the “trade group” for the Allocating Agencies. It frequently publishes reports concerning LIHTC, lobbies in DC concerning LIHTC, communicates with the IRS concerning the need for direction, conducts training for its members, and adopts LIHTC best practices, which it encourages Allocating Agencies to follow. In the past year, Stockton Williams has become the new chief staff person for NCSHA. This presents the Housing Justice Network and its members with a new opportunity to build a more productive relationship with NCSHA and its member Allocating Agencies.