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Introduction
Monica Hilton Sussman is a former deputy general counsel for HUD. She brings more than 40 years of experience in affordable housing, Section 8, and FHA multifamily programs. Monica represents developers in all types of affordable housing transactions and continues her strong relationship with HUD headquarters and regionally.
My focus
Section 8
Much of my work involves helping clients preserve their properties to bring more value to the owners and the tenants. Owners and purchasers of older HUD-assisted or insured properties turn to me for advice on transactional and regulatory matters.
Legislative and policy
I’m in close contact with HUD officials as we work together to develop new policies to get deals done. These issues take me to Capitol Hill, state agencies and industry trade groups as well.
Industry leadership
Speaking and networking at industry events and educating developers, investors, lenders and other industry participants is also a priority for me. I enjoy connecting with others who are passionate about this work and meeting new entrants to the market.
Looking ahead
We are hopeful that Congress will provide much needed additional funding for affordable housing. The HUD-assisted portfolio is aging and preserving these assets as well as adding new assets is part of the future.
Representative experience
Presentations
- “Capitol Hill and HUD Update” IRHP NYC Affordable Housing Preservation Symposium 2023, New York, NY, March 1, 2023
- “Owner/Manager Best Practices Roundtable,” NLHA 2023 Midyear Meeting: Assisted Housing Challenges & Opportunities, January 27, 2023
- “Breaking News from Our Nation’s Capital,” CARH 2023 Midyear Meeting, Mastering the Challenges: Opportunities for the Future, January 24, 2023
- “Multifamily Housing Update,” NLHA 50th Annual Membership Meeting, June 23, 2022
- “Owner/Manager Best Practices Roundtable,” Assisted Housing’s New Frontier: 2022 Mid-Year NLHA Membership Meeting, January 28, 2022
- “Hot Topic: A New Era at HUD,”AHF Live Conference, November 16, 2021
- “The View from HUD” and “Capitol Hill Update,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, Virtual Seminar, September 21, 2021
- “The Latest on HUD Development & Asset Management,” Texas Housing Conference, July 19, 2021
- “Newcomers, Women and Allies Networking Session,” Novogradac 2021 Affordable Housing Virtual Conference, April 30, 2021
- “Understanding Rent Comparability vs. Rent Reasonableness,“ NLHA Virtual Mid-Year Meeting, February 3-5, 2021
- “State of the States – Washington, DC Report,” 2021 CARH Virtual Midyear Meeting, Webinar, January 25, 2021
- “IRHP 2020 Federal Election Update,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, Webinar, November 19, 2020
- “Section 8 Renewal Refresher,” NLHA's Mature Section 8 Project, Virtual Seminar, October 29, 2020
- “HUD Workshop,” Texas Housing Conference Fall Virtual Segment, October 5, 2020
- “HUD Hot Topics: Section 8, RAD, FHA Financing,” Novogradac 2020 Credit and Bond Financing for Affordable Housing Virtual Conference, October 2, 2020
- “Washington DC Update,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation: Affordable Housing Preservation, Webinar, June 26, 2020
- “Section 8 Rental Subsidy,” CARH 2020 Midyear Meeting, New Orleans, LA, January 27, 2020
- “Washington DC Update,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation: Affordable Housing Preservation Symposium, New York, NY, January 22, 2020
- “What’s Next at HUD,” AHF LIVE! The Affordable Housing Developers Summit, Chicago, IL, November 18, 2019
- “PHA Success; HUD Rent and Income Limits,” Novogradac 2019 Affordable Housing Conference: Using RAD and the LIHTC To Improve Communities, January 11, 2019
- “Year 15 Dispositions,” Novogradac Credit and Bond Financing for Affordable Housing Conference, October 4, 2018
- “Federal Housing Administration Multi-Family Housing Transactions,” Lawline CLE webinar, June 13, 2014
Admitted to practice
District of Columbia
Virginia
Education
Hofstra University School of Law, J.D.
Syracuse University, B.A., cum laude
Professional activities
Monica chaired the Committee on Opinions and Administrative Procedures of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association and co‑chaired the ABA’s Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 1997 annual meeting. She served as president of the National Housing Conference from 1997 to 2000. Previously, she has served as vice president and annual meeting chairperson of the National Housing Conference. She has also been actively involved in the National Leased Housing Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and The Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation. She has lectured frequently at business and industry meetings.
Recognition
Monica was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 in the field of Real Estate Law. Monica has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2018.
In the News
- National Housing & Rehabilitation Association/HousingOnline.com
Nixon Peabody advises joint venture on California's first RAD for PRAC
The following article highlights NP’s work on a complex financing transaction and status conversion that will provide St. Stephens Retirement Center in San Diego with decades of financial certainty as well as funding to rehabilitate the property. This is the first deal ever in California to utilize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) “RAD for PRAC” program, which can help owners of eligible seniors housing properties convert existing rental assistance contracts to enable access to private capital for conducting repairs and improvements, as well as maintaining ownership in affordable housing properties. Washington, DC senior counsel Monica Sussman and New York counsel Kathie Soroka led the deal team, which also included Washington, DC associate Brendan Cardella-Koll, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.June 22, 2021 - McKnight’s Senior Living
Actions and Transactions
The following article highlights NP’s work on a complex financing transaction and status conversion that will provide St. Stephens Retirement Center in San Diego with decades of financial certainty as well as funding to rehabilitate the property. This is the first deal ever in California to utilize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) “RAD for PRAC” program, which can help owners of eligible seniors housing properties convert existing rental assistance contracts to enable access to private capital for conducting repairs and improvements, as well as maintaining ownership in affordable housing properties. Washington, DC senior counsel Monica Sussman and New York counsel Kathie Soroka led the deal team, which also included Washington, DC associate Brendan Cardella-Koll, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.June 21, 2021 - Bisnow (DC)
Affordable Housing Deals Are Getting More Plentiful, But More Complex
This feature story recaps the Affordable Housing Forum which focused on creating and improving affordable housing communities. Washington, DC, office managing partner Jeff Lesk, Affordable Housing partner Monica Sussman and Tax Credit Finance & Syndication partner David Schon are featured.March 28, 2016
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllDeborah VanAmerongen
Strategic Policy Advisor / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Affordable Housing & Real Estate- New York
- Office:212.940.3054
- dvanamerongen@nixonpeabody.com
-
