Seifel Consulting has helped clients plan and build thousands of housing units.
We advise on the development, rehabilitation, financing and preservation of market
rate and affordable housing. Libby Seifel continues to advise clients and colleagues
about the best techniques to develop housing, as the editor of the California
Redevelopment Association’s Affordable Housing Handbook and as an instructor
at UC Berkeley Extension.
Housing Needs and Market Assessment
We evaluate the need for affordable housing and target
demand for market rate housing. We perform demographic
analyses to assess housing demand by type of dwelling
unit, special population group and income level.
Financial Feasibility and Affordability Gap
Analysis
We project rent revenues, absorption, operating expenses
and financing costs for various housing products to
evaluate financial feasibility. We determine the ability
of residents at different income levels to pay the
typical cost of owning and renting within a community
or market area. We also recommend appropriate levels
of public assistance to developers and homeowners.
Housing Strategies and Program Design
We help communities prepare comprehensive housing
strategies and develop affordable housing programs
and policies. We prepare legislatively mandated Implementation
Plans that address affordable housing production and
need requirements, project funding resources, and recommend
programs to meet agency objectives.
Funding Strategies and Applications
We recommend the best sources for construction and
permanent financing and subsidies, including private
sources and tax exempt debt. We help public agencies
and developers research and apply for federal and state
funding, including HOPE VI grants and Low Income Housing
Tax Credits.
Inclusionary Housing Programs
We work with cities to design and evaluate inclusionary
housing ordinances and policies. In addition, we work
with developers to devise financially feasible means
of developing mixed-income housing, either through
building affordable housing or through contributions
to a housing fund.
Rent Stabilization and Mediation
We evaluate the potential impact of changes in rent
control regulations and calculate allowable "Annual
General Adjustments" in rents. We perform economic
and policy analyses of rent stabilization programs
and advise on the preservation of affordability in
mobile home parks.
