Introduction
Rebecca Simon works with developers, owners, public housing authorities, management agents, and other clients across the country to navigate complex regulatory and transactional matters involving multifamily affordable housing ownership, development, financing, enforcement, rehabilitation, and preservation.
My focus
I represent clients on affordable housing matters and applications before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Rural Development, as well as many state and local agencies. I also assist clients facing federal enforcement actions related to ownership and management of affordable housing properties.
My previous experience as a litigation and enforcement attorney in HUD’s Office of General Counsel allows me to provide guidance and insight into federal programs relevant to multifamily affordable housing program participants and how to navigate the complex regulatory landscape for affordable housing developments.
I am passionate about affordable housing and finding the best solutions for our clients and the residents living in their properties. My strong relationships with HUD, RD, and state agency officials allow me to effectively and efficiently ensure smooth processing and closings for complex transactions.
Looking ahead
As the availability of traditional sources of funding continues to tighten, efforts to rehabilitate and preserve affordable housing will require more creative and complex solutions to be successful. The demand for affordable housing will continue to grow as unpredictability in the market expands. Government programs, especially in regions with strong commitments to affordable housing, will be at the forefront of new construction and preservation transactions.
/Insights
Presentations
- “Understanding Tax Implications of a Transfer,” 2023 Rural Rental Housing Preservation Academy, July 26, 2023
- “Washington DC Report,” “Navigating Maturing Mortgages with RD,” and “The Changing World of Physical Inspection,” CARH 2023 Annual Meeting & Legislative Conference, June 26-28, 2023
- “HUD-Assisted Housing Forum, Part 1, and HUD-Assisted Housing Forum, Part 2,” 2023 NCSHA Housing Credit Connect, Seattle, WA, June 15, 2023
- “Washington, DC Report,” and “Year 15: Dealing with Expiring Housing Credits when Rural Development Restrictions Remain,” CARH 2023 Midyear Meeting, Mastering the Challenges: Opportunities for the Future, January 24, 2023
- “Cross-cutting Federal Requirements for Affordable Housing Transactions,” Nixon Peabody Webinar, December 6, 2022
- “Washington, DC Report,” CARH Annual Meeting and Legislative Conference, June 27, 2022
Publications
- “RD Hires New Physical Inspection Contractor, HUD Rolls Out NSPIRE Protocol,” CARH News Nov/Dec 2023
- “NCSHA Releases Updated Recommended Practices in Housing Credit Administration,” CARH News Nov/Dec 2023
- “Rural housing service implements new multifamily physical inspection pilot program,” CARH News Jan/Feb 2023
- “Monitoring Enforcement in Affordable Housing,” 14 The Legal Guide to Affordable Housing Development 3, February 2022
- “Rural Affordable Housing Preservation Issues and Strategies,” Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development, Volume 30, Number 1, July 22, 2021 (co-author)
In the news
- Affordable Housing Finance
People on the move
March 12, 2025This roundup article of recent personnel moves across the industry highlights the partner promotions of Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Rebecca Simon and Boston Community Development Finance partner Justin Fitzgerald.
- Law360
Federal freeze sows uncertainty in real estate sector
Jan 29, 2025This article covers the role that federal funding plays in housing programs and the impact of a federal funding freeze. Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Rebecca Simon is quoted in the coverage, noting that owners and developers of affordable housing are expected to meet their obligations to residents, lenders, and other partners, and that not being able to rely on the federal government creates a lot of uncertainty for these deals.
- Real Estate Finance Journal
Department of Housing and Urban Development offers guidance on budget-based rent adjustments for mark-to-market portfolio
July 12, 2024Affordable Housing & Real Estate deputy practice leader and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen of Los Angeles, partners Nate Cushman of Washington, DC and Kathie Soroka of New York City, senior counsel Steve Wallace of Washington, DC, and counsel Rebecca Simon of Washington, DC and Anthony Ruvolo of San Francisco contributed this article, which covers HUD guidance on budget-based rent adjustments for mark-to-market portfolios.
- Affordable Housing Finance
Pilot program to preserve rental assistance at rural properties
March 27, 2024Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Rebecca Simon is quoted in this article, which covers the pilot program to decouple Section 515 mortgages from Section 521 rental assistance to preserve affordability of rural housing properties. Rebecca discuses why the pilot program is a good first step and what the broader impact could be. The article also references a recent related alert Rebecca co-authored with Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Chaundi Randolph and associate David Hornstein.
- Affordable Housing Finance
HUD releases guidance on budget-based rent adjustments for Mark-to-Market portfolio
March 6, 2024Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior counsel Steve Wallace and counsel Anthony Ruvolo contributed this article highlighting the latest guidance issued by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on budget-based rent adjustment opportunities for Mark-to-Market portfolios as authorized in the 2023 Appropriations Act. The article is based on a client alert co-authored by Steve and Anthony as well as Strategic Policy Advisor and AHRE deputy practice leader Deborah VanAmerongen, New York City partner Kathie Soroka, and Washington, DC partner Nate Cushman and counsel Rebecca Simon, all of the AHRE practice.
- Journal of Affordable Housing
Preservation issues and strategies for USDA's Rural Housing Service multifamily direct loan portfolio
Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and Housing Regulatory team leader Richard Price and associate Rebecca Simon contributed this article discussing recent developments in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rental Housing Service programs, funding issues that have created challenges to preservation, and preservation strategies that have been used to overcome, in part, the funding challenges.July 26, 2021
Admitted to practice
District of Columbia
Illinois
Florida
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
Marquette University, B.A.
Professional activities
- DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, Junior Board
- Women’s Bar Association of DC, Board member
Recognition
- Outstanding Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, Nixon Peabody, January 2023
- Volunteer of the Year Award, Custody and Divorce Division, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, 2022
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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