Deborah VanAmerongen is a Strategic Policy Advisor in Nixon Peabody’s Affordable Housing practice group. She works with attorneys in the firm and clients, including developers, owners, managers and funders to craft creative solutions to issues relative to affordable housing development and preservation.
I focus my practice on complex affordable housing transactions, including those that entail interaction with several governmental agencies and numerous funding sources. I also introduce clients to new opportunities and markets and build partnerships between clients and community groups where that partnership will facilitate the success of a transaction.
I recently helped a client to acquire a site formerly used as a U.S. Army base, which is being developed into 60 housing units for homeless veterans. The site had been transferred under the defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) process. The complicated deal involved at least six different funding sources: 9% LIHTC; funding for mental health services; a loan from the county; grant funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank; an equity investment; a construction loan; a loan from the state agency that funds homeless services; and two forms of rental assistance, including Shelter Plus Care units and project-based Section 8 vouchers.
I regularly help clients structure complex affordable housing transactions. Recently, I worked with a client who successfully competed under an RFP offered by a large city housing authority for redevelopment of 325 units of affordable housing in a mixed-finance structure. I assisted the client in forming their team, including their architect, managing agent, general contractor, historic consultant and local nonprofit partner. This winning team worked with the housing authority, HUD and the local housing finance agency to close on the acquisition and rehabilitation of the first phase of this transaction, which is being funded with tax-exempt bonds, 4% LIHTC, historic tax credits and city and HUD subsidies.
I envision a continued and enhanced emphasis on combining supportive services with affordable housing development, resulting in increasingly complex deal structures. I also see HUD continuing its emphasis on the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program to revitalize public housing developments.
City & State New York | March 27, 2018
New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen has been named one of the New York’s most remarkable women for her work on housing policy.
Affordable Housing Finance | March 27, 2018
New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen provides thought leadership on New York City and state funding for public housing.
Affordable Housing Finance | January 04, 2017
In this open letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary nominee Dr. Ben Carson, New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen shares her insights on working with HUD and advice for the future.
Affordable Housing Finance | January 04, 2017
This story focuses on the 2017 affordable housing industry outlook. New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen is quoted discussing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Affordable Housing Finance | November 21, 2016
New York City Affordable Housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen is quoted in this article about impacts the election may have on the New York City affordable housing industry. In the article, Deborah emphasizes that President-elect Trump knows real estate finance, is from New York, and likely understands the importance of affordable housing programs.
Crain's New York Business | June 07, 2016
New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen is quoted in this article regarding recent zoning changes designed to make mixed-use developments more feasible in the state.
State University of New York, Rockefeller College, M.P.A.
Syracuse University, Utica College, B.S.
Deborah is a member of the board of editors for Affordable Housing Finance magazine, and served as the co-chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Task Force. She serves on the boards of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing and the Supportive Housing Network of New York. She is also a participant in the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition.
