Affordable housing is a complex field – development involves multiple layers of financing, public sector partners, and complicated tax incentives. Once a building is complete, the leasing phase and ongoing community management includes policy and program compliance and specialized resident services. Property maintenance and management often requires re-capitalization and more layers of finance and government relations. The Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing Development provides knowledge and skills for real estate professionals in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors to be able to enter and advance within this specialized field.
The program is designed to meet the needs of a variety of students, including:
- Mix of afternoon and evening, in-person and online to fit a variety of schedules
- All courses taught regularly, completion in 9-12 months part-time (1-2 courses per term)
- Access to opportunities to work with students in complementary degree programs (Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Real Estate Development) and a wide range of additional elective courses
- No prior experience in real estate is required; any bachelor’s degree is accepted
- Simple, straightforward application process
Students completing the Affordable Housing Development (AHD) Certificate will leave with:
- Competence in pro forma and development planning for affordable housing
- Experience navigating the development process for affordable housing, including government relations and public-private partnerships
- Knowledge of the financing and delivery mechanisms specific to affordable housing, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
- Understanding of the history and current issues with equitable access to housing and the tools and programs to reduce barriers to housing through development, particularly for protected status groups
- Connections with local experts and professionals in affordable housing development, finance, and regulation