Grand Re-Opening of Rehabilitated Parkview Place

L-R: Representative of City Manager Matt Benoit; Lorie Little, Senior Vice President, National Affordable Housing Trust; Lisa Vecchietti, Vice President, Lancaster Pollard; Eleanor Peyton Representing HUD Region VI; Matthew Rule, Vice President, Affordable Housing Development, National Church Residences; JoEllen Smith, Executive President, Diana McIver & Associates; Jamie Anderson, Site Manager; and Building Contractor Representative

On October 1, 2014, an on-site celebration for Parkview Place in Huntsville, TX, was held by the sponsor and owner, National Church Residences (NCR). Attendees and speakers were the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Huntsville City Manager, National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), Diana McIver & Associates (DMA), Lancaster Pollard and Parkview Place residents.

NCR, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), along with the National Housing Affordable Trust (NHAT) and Lancaster Pollard, invested in the renovation. Funding included a Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME funds provided by TDHCA, a tax credit purchased by NAHT, a NCR contribution and monies from existing replacement reserves. There was also an assumption of an existing loan with Lancaster Pollard.

Parkview Place was originally built in 1986 under HUD's Section 202 program. The walk-up development consists of forty-one (eleven efficiency and thirty one-bedroom) units that were in desperate need of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation included the latest in energy and resource efficiency. Each newly renovated apartment is equipped with an energy efficient HVAC system, upgraded insulation and water saver ENERGY STAR appliances.

The architectural design offers 41 updated living spaces whereas all units, including the efficiencies, have the feel of a one-bedroom unit, designed for elderly and disabled persons. Though there are new residents, some have lived at Parkview 14 plus years. The residents let it be known by shouting its thanks to HUD for their Service Coordinator, "We love our Service Coordinator…she is the best."

Residents attended the re-opening in grand numbers. All will have a much better quality of life because of the improvements made by NCR. Some of the residents stated that the finished product turned out to be more wonderful than they could have ever hoped for or expected. Each resident's unit entrance is individualized to show their personality as well as their talent with plants and art. Added amenities include an outdoor eating/picnic area where residents gather to talk, entertain and work a vegetable and flower garden. The property owner installed a rainwater harvesting system for the residents to water the garden area.

Eleanor Peyton, Acting Director of Multifamily Housing, Houston HUD Program Center, thanked NCR for the partnership and the collaboration in bringing the rehabilitation process to fruition to continue HUD's mission of providing and sustaining decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing free from discrimination for seniors and the disabled.

Matthew Rule, host and Vice President, Affordable Housing Development, National Church Residences, stated that "We are very proud of the positive changes that our renovation efforts bring and the new investments which are made specifically by HUD for the Section 202 program funds awarded in 1985, the refinance in 2006 and this rehabilitation endeavor that shines a bright light to the future of the neighborhood as well as a better place to live for the residents. We appreciate the cooperation we have received from the city of Huntsville, our investment partners and community and business leaders which have been so important in making these renovations possible."

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