Hope Manor (Chicago)
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC, Housing Credit) is a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for affordable housing investments. It was created under the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and gives incentives for the utilization of private equity in the development of affordable housing aimed at low-income Americans. The program is administered at the state level by state housing finance agencies (i.e. IHDA) with each state getting a fixed allocation of credits based on its population. IHDA evaluates applications against our “Qualified Allocation Plan” (QAP).
LIHTC accounts for the majority (approximately 90%) of all affordable rental housing created in the United States today, and is the most successful affordable housing tool in Illinois. The tax credits are more attractive than tax deductions as the credits provide a dollar-for-dollar reduction in a taxpayer’s federal income tax, whereas a tax deduction only provides a reduction in taxable income. Almost all investors in LIHTC projects are corporations.
The maximum rent that can be charged is based upon the Area Median Income (“AMI”) and is capped at 80% of AMI. Rents must be kept affordable for a 15-year initial “compliance period” and a subsequent 15-year “extended use period”.
LIHTC is awarded under two different methodologies. Under either methodology, a project’s “eligible basis” is determined (for an in-depth explanation of what constitutes eligible basis, please see the QAP). Projects for new construction or rehabilitation of an existing building, if not funded by tax-exempt bonds, can receive a maximum annual tax credit allocation based on a rate which is generally 9% of the project’s eligible basis (“9% credits”). IHDA awards 9% credits based on a competitive process via two allocation rounds per year.
Projects with at least 50% of the financing coming from tax-exempt bonds can receive a maximum annual tax credit allocation based on a rate which is generally 4% of the project’s eligible basis (“4% credits”). IHDA accepts applications for tax-exempt bond projects seeking 4% credits at any time. These credits are not awarded via a competitive application round and therefore the project need only satisfy the mandatory requirements under the QAP.
A developer proposes a project to IHDA, wins an allocation of tax credits, completes the project, certifies its cost, and rents-up the project to low-income tenants. Simultaneously, an investor makes a “capital contribution” to the project’s owner in exchange for being “allocated” the entity’s LIHTCs over a ten-year period (syndication).The program’s structure as part of the tax code ensures that private investors bear the financial burden if properties are not successful. This pay-for-performance accountability has driven private sector discipline to the LIHTC program, resulting in a foreclosure rate of less than 0.1%, far less than that of comparable market-rate properties. As a permanent part of the tax code, the LIHTC program necessitates public-private partnerships, and has leveraged more than $100 billion in private equity investment for the creation of affordable rental housing nationally.
The annual Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) sets forth the criteria for evaluating all projects that apply for a tax credit allocation. The QAP takes effect upon the approval of the IHDA board and the governor.
2020-2021 Qualified Allocation Plan
For previous QAPs, please visit our Developer Resource Center.
IRS regulations for the federal tax credit program are found in Section 42 of the Code of 1986, as amended. Additionally, state rules governing the LIHTC program are found in the Illinois Administrative Code, Title 47, Chapter II, Part 350.
Recent PPA and LIHTC Full Round Results
2021 Round
2021 – Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
2021 – Approved Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
2021 – Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Applications Received
2020 Round
Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
Approved Preliminary Project Submissions
2020 – Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Applications Received
2020 – Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Approved Allocations – Final
2019 Round
Approved Preliminary Project Submissions
2019 – Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Applications Received
2019 – Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Approved Allocations – Final
2018 Round
2018 – 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Applications Received
2018 – 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Projects Approved – Final
2017 Round
2017 – Full Applications Received
2017 – LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2017 PPA Round II
Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
Approved Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
2017 PPA Round I
Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
Approved Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
2016 Round II
Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
Round II LIHTC Scoring Ranges
2016 Round I
Preliminary Project Assessment Submissions
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
Round I LIHTC Scoring Ranges
2015 Round II
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2015 Round I
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2014 Round II
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2014 Round I
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2013 Round II
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments (Updated 6/5/13)
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2013 Round I
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2012 Round II
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2012 Round I
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved – Final
2011
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved-Final
2010
Approved Preliminary Project Assessments
Full Applications Received
LIHTC Projects Approved, including Disaster Tax Credits-Final
2009 Round II
LIHTC Projects Approved, including Disaster Tax Credits – Final
2009 Round I
LIHTC Projects Approved-Final
Updated PPA and Application Timeline 2021 9% LIHTC
Preliminary Project Assessments (PPA’s) and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Applications are now accepted via the Multifamily Portal. In order to gain access to the Multifamily Portal, please submit a MF Portal Account Request Form from the IHDA website or you may find the form at https://ppa.ihda.org.
You may see the key dates below:
| Event | Date | |
| October | PPA Deadline for 2021 LIHTC Applications | 10/2/2020 |
| November | PPA Notification to Sponsors | 11/20/2020 |
| January | 2021 LIHTC Applications Due | 1/22/2021 |
| May | 2021 LIHTC Recommendations to Board | 5/21/2021 |
PPA and Application Timeline 2021 4% LIHTC
- IHDA will accept 4% LIHTC applications on a rolling basis through December 31, 2020. IHDA will endeavor to notify Sponsors within 45 days of the Authority’s receipt of the request for 4% PPA approval.
- Any 4% applications with an approved PPA may be submitted on a quarterly basis, beginning in 2021. Please see the Multifamily Transactions Timeframes for more information on application deadlines.
As is well known throughout the affordable housing industry, Congress recently created a new occupancy set-aside option known as “income averaging.” Instead of electing the 20/50 or 40/60 minimum set-aside, an owner may elect an income averaging set-aside. This allows a property to serve households up to 80% AMI, as long as at least 40% of the total units are rent and income restricted and the average income limit for all tax credit units in the project is at or below 60% AMI.
The Authority understands its stakeholders are excited to take advantage of this new option to better serve the needs of those seeking affordable housing. Given the nuances of this new set-aside option, the Authority is carefully reviewing applicable law and industry guidance with the goal of developing a policy around income averaging that will ensure the Authority can continue to administer the low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”) program in the most effective and efficient way possible.
As the Authority continues its analysis of this new set-aside option, the Authority wanted to provide some information about the parameters currently being considered. The information in this bulletin is not intended to be conclusive or exhaustive. The Authority’s final policy may or may not include the elements discussed below. In addition, if determined to be applicable, the Authority will take steps to amend the 2018-2019 Qualified Allocation Plan.
Please note, developments will be ineligible to select income averaging if: (i) the development received 9% LIHTC award from the Authority in 2018 (or earlier); or (ii) the development receives a 9% award from the Authority in 2019; or (iii) the development already has a recorded Extended Use Agreement (including resyndications); or (iv) the development already filed a Form 8609.
Developments seeking 4% LIHTC’s that desire to elect income averaging will be considered by the Authority on a case-by-case basis. Tax exempt bond developments will still need to meet all applicable bond-related compliance requirements.
Additionally, the Authority is in the process of updating the Affordable Rental Unit Survey (ARUS) to reflect all the allowable income levels under income averaging. Please click the link below for additional information.
https://www.ihda.org/developers/market-research/affordable-rental-unit-survey/
Anticipated mandatory requirements for any development requesting to elect income averaging:
Anticipated supplemental application items for any development requesting to elect income averaging:
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As PPAs for IHDA resources are now accepted on a rolling basis, the lists below provide the status of PPAs received and approved to date.
2018 Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) Status and Pending Projects
Preliminary Project Assessments Submitted
Preliminary Project Assessments Approved
2019 Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) Status and Pending Projects
Preliminary Project Applications (PPA) Submitted
IHDA Portfolio and Pending Projects Map
The status of all PPAs and applications for IHDA resources, as well as IHDA’s current portfolio, can be found via the fully searchable mapping tool below. Click on the map below to search the IHDA portfolio and pending projects.
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