Introduction
Kelly Behr is counsel in the Affordable Housing practice group. She works with affordable housing clients across the country on regulatory matters involving multifamily affordable housing acquisition, construction, ownership, development, financing, rehabilitation, and preservation. In addition to her affordable housing practice, Kelly regularly provides pro bono representation to unaccompanied immigrant children seeking legal status.
My focus
I work with clients on all aspects of affordable housing transactions with a particular focus on obtaining regulatory approvals from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal and state/local agencies. This includes reviewing materials related to acquisition, rehabilitation, and organizational documents, analyzing title work, drafting legal and closing documents, and interacting with clients, lenders, investors, and governmental agencies to obtain the approvals necessary to facilitate these transactions.
Prior to law school, I worked at a real estate finance law firm in Washington, DC, where I assisted lenders in obtaining loan insurance for multifamily housing and health care facilities from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.
Looking ahead
In connection with the preservation of existing project-based Section 8 housing, HUD continues to increase its focus on developer’s rehabilitation and relocation plans, particularly in light of the logistical difficulties highlighted by the pandemic.
/Insights
Presentations
- “Interplay Between HUD and LIHTC Programs,” IPED’s Learn the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, March 14, 2025
- “Washington Update,” IPED’s Learn the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, Boston, MA, March 24, 2023
In the news
- Affordable Housing Finance
People on the move
Feb 26, 2024This roundup of moves across the affordable housing industry includes the promotions of Affordable Housing and Real Estate partners Ruben Ravago of New York City and Dana Stanton of Albany, and Community Development Finance partner Sumeet Sharma of Washington, DC. The article also includes the promotions of Affordable Housing and Real Estate counsel Kelly Behr of Washington, DC, Ninteretse Jean Pierre of Rochester, and Emily Schwebke of Chicago, and Community Development Finance counsel Nicole Hixon of Boston.
- Journal of Tax Credits
Post-rehabilitation rent requests under the Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance Program
Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior counsel Monica Sussman and associate Kelly Behr, both of the Washington, DC office, contributed this article on one method the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development uses to encourage the long-term preservation of affordable housing.Nov 1, 2021
Admitted to practice
Virginia
District of Columbia
Education
George Washington University Law School, J.D.
University of Michigan, B.A.
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2025 in the field of Real Estate Law; listed in Best Lawyers since 2021
Insights And Happenings
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Partner / Chief Innovation Officer- New York City
- Office:+1 212.940.3161
- ayowell@nixonpeabody.com
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