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SCAG Honors LINC Housing Corp. President, CEO MAY 04, 2007 -- Los Angeles -- The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), a metropolitan planning organization, has recognized Hunter L. Johnson, president and CEO of non-profit organization LINC Housing Corp., as a regional champion at SCAG’s 2007 Annual General Assembly. Johnson was one of three local leaders who were honored Thursday for their significant contributions in regional planning and collaboration. The event was held at The Milennium Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles, Holly Ferris, spokesperson for SCAG, tells MHN. During his 30-year career in development, affordable housing and structuring public/private partnerships, Johnson has had a hand in developing more than 15,000 housing units throughout California. He has also led LINC in its growth from 1,045 to more than 6,000 affordable units across the state. Currently, LINC, in a partnership with Long Beach, Calif.-based Simpson Housing Solutions LLC (SHS), is building North Avenue Apartments, an affordable housing community in the Del Paseo Heights neighborhood of Sacramento, Calif. Michael Costa, president of SHS, tells MHN that the project, which consists of apartments and two-story townhouses on a once-vacant five-acre lot, broke ground in January 2006 and is slated for completion within the month. Located at 999 North Ave., the $17-million complex will offer 80 two- and three-bedroom units. Apartments will range from $313 to $865 per month. All units will be set aside for households earning from 30 to 60 percent of the area median income for Sacramento County, as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Financing includes an allocation of $10.2 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), $525,000 from the Sacramento Housing Redevelopment agency, and a $10.9-million construction loan from Wells Fargo Bank. The complex has been designed by Maple Dell + McClelland. The community features a “classic California” contemporary style, with tile roofs, stucco exteriors and wood trim and accents. Its units will feature central heating and air conditioning, cable TV hook-ups, patios or balconies, carpeting and vinyl floors. “Affordable housing is a critical issue in this region, and the challenge is becoming larger, not smaller.” says Mark Pisano, executive director of SCAG and a member of LINC’s board of directors. “Affordability is at an all-time low with only 13 percent of people in this region who can afford their homes. It’s important for nonprofit developers to step up and take a larger role than ever in helping to ensure that more affordable homes are built.” “Hunter understands this need and is helping to guide the LINC organization to become a leader of change in the industry, finding new ways to make more affordable housing possible.” Copyright 2007 Multi-Housing News |
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