Affordable Housing Management Education and Training

Learn to manage affordable and low income housing
By Terri Deno Affordable housing is a concern for many, especially in larger cities where there are not many opportunities for lower income people to find cheap homes or quality apartments. Most income housing programs can help families find affordable housing in their area. For people who work in these programs, affordable housing is a complicated job that does require some background knowledge and training.

To begin affordable housing management education and training, it might be best to start with government organizations that regulate affordable housing. Overall there are many options even for busy individuals, such as:

1. Online information that explains different aspects of low income housing programs.

2. Half- or full-day seminars that walk you through tax information and other important topics.

3. Organizations that offer additional benefits to members, including educational materials and training opportunities.

Find information and educational materials for government housing online

There are many resources online that provide information on affordable housing management, from specific tax credit instructions to the broader picture of affordable housing availability throughout the country. You will also want to make sure you know and understand state and national regulations for training, as well as management issues.
Try:  The Government Innovators Network provides case studies and reviews on the topic of affordable housing management. The U.S. Department of Housing and Human Development (HUD) provides an online library that covers many topics in affordable housing.

Train in multiple areas of affordable housing program management

Besides knowing how to manage properties, there are many other components of affordable housing that can catch you off guard unless you have the right training. There are many specific topics offered as housing management training courses. While not all are required to manage affordable housing, the courses are helpful to most.
Try:  The National Center for Healthy Housing provides training courses on how to effectively build and maintain safe homes while following state and national safety standards. Neighbor Works provides both required and additional training courses for property management, that include testing and certification online.  HUD offers training in complying with its HOME affordable housing program.

Explore affordable housing resources offered by professional organizations

The best way to find additional educational resources for affordable housing management is to join associations and organizations dedicated to providing subsidized housing for individuals and families that meet their needs. These organizations can also offer perks for members, including reduced prices on training and educational materials.
Try:  National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) can put you in touch with other housing managers as well as provide resources for education and training in the field. Regional associations, such as the Michigan Affordable Housing Management Association (MAHMA), also provide many training sessions that can teach you a different aspect of managing affordable housing. There are many organizations that address the education needs of affordable housing managers. For a long list, check out HUD's website.

• There are many additional resources on housing for low income people available through local and state government programs that may be worthwhile to explore.