Affordable Housing Services
GLE’s Affordable Housing team provides a full range of building assessment and construction related services to help underwriters, lenders, developers, syndicators, investors, public housing agencies, and ownership entities ensure that their affordable housing projects are completed in accordance with all program requirements and guidelines. Over the past 34 years, we’ve proven our capabilities with a track record that includes consulting services for more than 400 affordable housing projects throughout the Southeastern United States.
Our team of architects, engineers, construction professionals and environmental consultants understands the unique requirements, specific criteria, and processes necessary to complete affordable housing program construction. We walk with our clients through every stage from capital needs assessments to commissioning.
Our teams understand the obligations of affordable housing projects to meet all program provider requirements including all features and amenities, energy efficiency, handicap accessibility, and all local and federal housing guidelines. We also maintain LEED AP certified staff, and a multidisciplinary team including engineers, architects, and construction professionals that constantly update current construction market data on labor and materials costs.
GLE has provided construction consulting related to a wide variety of funding programs, including LIHTC, HOME, Fannie Mae, RAD, CDBG, NHTF, USDA Rural Housing Services, Freddie Mac and Energy Retrofit programs, as well as numerous state housing initiatives and local affordable housing agencies. Our Affordable Housing Program Construction Consulting services include a wide variety of Capital/Physical Needs Assessments, Plan and Cost Reviews, and Construction Inspections.
Capital / Physical Needs Assessments
Renovation projects often begin with a Capital or Physical Needs Assessment (C/PNA) to identify immediate and long-term capital needs to be incorporated into the construction, based on the physical condition of the property. Having worked with affordable housing industry partners throughout our 34-year history, we have extensive experience navigating agency-specific platforms including HUD’s GPNA and RAD Physical Needs Assessments, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac PNA’s and USDA Rural Housing Services PNA program. In addition to these C/PNA programs, GLE has developed our own proprietary technology to provide a uniquely time- and cost-efficient process for assessing capital needs, which can be customized to focus on each project’s specific required commitments. The key to a successful C/PNA is not only capturing all of the properties needs, but realistically prioritizing when each item needs to be addressed, and then accurately assigning costs to correct the deficiencies. GLE has a proven track record of achieving all of these goals for each C/PNA undertaken.
Plan and Cost Reviews
GLE’s expert team reviews construction plans and documentation, line-by-line, for completeness, accuracy, regulatory compliance, and constructability. We also review to ensure that all the features and amenities that the developer committed to are incorporated into the design. Finally, we examine every line of the construction contract for accuracy and appropriateness of cost and timeline.
We utilize our team’s real-time knowledge to ensure projected construction costs are in line with current market values for time and materials. We also review the contract to ensure it adequately protects the developer with appropriate levels of contractor’s insurance, liquidated damages, time to pay, and off-site storage clauses.
Construction Inspections
GLE’s construction inspections ensure that work is completed in a timely and workmanlike manner on an ongoing basis throughout the construction phase and at commissioning. Our engineers and construction professionals walk the job site at regular intervals to confirm that the project is progressing per the construction schedule, and that the work is completed in conformance with construction documents as well as applicable codes and regulations. As part of each inspection, GLE confirms that the committed features and amenities are incorporated into the project, and that accessibility components are built as indicated on the drawings. We also review any change order requests to ensure they are appropriate and reasonable. You can read more about our construction inspection services here.
Our multidisciplinary staff includes building inspectors, cost estimators, registered architects, professional engineers, licensed general contractors, professional geologists, licensed asbestos consultants, licensed lead consultants and risk assessors, and certified industrial hygienists. Every project is headed up by senior staff with at least 20 years experience.
Contact our team today to discuss our affordable housing program construction monitoring services for your next project.
