Kathie Soroka

What do you focus on?

Regulatory advice

From the outside, government agencies can often feel like black boxes, where it’s unclear whom to talk to, what to do or how to even get your request heard. Because of my experience with HUD, I can help clients navigate the regulatory landscape. Together we can assess issues and think strategically about paths forward. I help resolve clients’ concerns, whether they involve interpreting and reconciling program requirements, negotiating a resolution to open investigations and enforcement actions or structuring the next opportunity.

Affordable housing transactions

I handle all types of affordable housing transactions. During my time at HUD, I helped develop the RAD program, harmonize LIHTC and FHA multifamily requirements, update the Section 232 health care documents and rewrite the 2530 regulations. In private practice, I have represented developers, housing authorities and public entities, syndicators and other players in LIHTC and other affordable housing transactions. I am able to advise clients on issues raised by HUD and to navigate the complex requirements of multi-layered transactions.

Advising the industry

I am passionate about affordable housing and community development and eager to keep our industry growing and moving forward. Speaking at industry events, networking and sharing knowledge and collaborating with stakeholders ensures that we keep each other current on emerging issues and new opportunities.

What do you see on the horizon?

Decreasing public funding and polarized political environments put affordable housing programs in jeopardy but there are continued and new opportunities for those who can stay creative and nimble.

Publications

• “Top 5 Ways to Use Opportunity Zone Funds in LIHTC Deals,” Affordable Housing Finance, February 7, 2019 (co-author)
• “Tips to Avoid Common RAD Pitfalls,” Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits, September 2018 (co-author)
• “Practitioner’s Guide to Secondary Financing in FHA Programs,” ABA Book Publishing, 2018 (co-author)
• “User Guide to HUD’s Previous Participation Review Process (aka “2530 approval”),” ABA Book Publishing, 2017 (co-author)
• “Playing Nice in the Sandbox: Collaboration between HUD and the Forum Improves Affordable Housing Policy,” 25 Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 2 (February 2017)
• “RAD-ical changes at HUD,” 23 Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 1 (2014)

Presentations

• “Repositioning Options: Navigating among RAD, Section 18, and Section 22,” NAHRO 2019 National Conference, October 2019
• “Practical Applications in Opportunity Zones,” IPED, March 2019
• “Opportunity Zones 101,” Eastern Lenders Conference, March 2019
• “New Affordable Housing Resources and Opportunities,” Illinois Governor's Conference, February 2019
• “Today's HUD Front-Burner issues,” HDLI General Counsel Forum, January 2019
• “Asset Management Roundtable,” NLHA January 2019
• “Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Update,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, September 2018
• “Understanding FHA Loan Programs,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, September 2018
• “Community Development Financing Toolbox,” NAHRO Summer Conference, July 2018
• “RAD Progress and Best Practices,” National Leased Housing Association Annual Membership Meeting, June 2018
• “RAD: Keys to a Successful Transaction,” ABA Forum on Affordable Housing annual meeting, May 2018
• “HUD’s Previous Participation Regulations (2530 Revised),” ABA Forum on Affordable Housing annual meeting, May 2017
• “Heard from HUD,” ABA Forum on Affordable Housing annual meeting, May 2016