Low Income Housing Tax Credit

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.

The first step in applying for LIHTCs is to submit a Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA). The PPA addresses project concept, design, location and proposed tenant population. PPAs are either approved or denied by IHDA. Approval of a PPA does not guarantee an allocation of tax credits or any other IHDA resources.

Recent PPA and LIHTC Full Round Results

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 2020 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.

IHDA is accepting PPA’s on a rolling basis and will close the portal for 2020 9% PPA’s on December 4, 2019.  IHDA intends to inform sponsors of PPA status no later than January 30, 2020.  2020 9% LIHTC Applications will be due April 13, 2020.

You may also see these key dates below:

	Event	Date
December	PPA Deadline for 2020 LIHTC Applications	12/4/2019
January	PPA Notification to Sponsors	1/30/2020
April	2020 LIHTC Applications Due	4/13/2020
July	2020 LIHTC Applications to Board	7/17/2020

PPA and Application Timeline 2020 4% LIHTC

• IHDA will accept 4% LIHTC applications on a rolling basis for the second and third quarters of 2020. Quarterly application deadlines will resume 10/01/2020.
• Effective immediately, sponsors with an approved Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) may submit a 4% LIHTC application at any time through 09/30/2020.
• Sponsors may continue to submit PPAs on a rolling basis. IHDA will review PPAs in 30-45 days. Sponsors may also submit updated PPAs for 9% LIHTC projects that are being restructured as 4% LIHTC. Once the updated PPA is approved, sponsors may submit a full 4% LIHTC application.

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: All units must be designated low income; the development may not contain unrestricted or market rate residential units. Designated income/rent levels may only be set at 10% increments beginning at 20% of AMI. Allowable income/rent designation levels are 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 80% of AMI.  The Authority reserves the right to limit the number of AMI designations per property. Anticipated supplemental application items for any development requesting to elect income averaging: Written acknowledgement from the LIHTC equity investor that income averaging is compatible with requirements of other public and private funding sources. Written acknowledgement from the property manager regarding the compliance implications and commitment to provide annual income averaging training to on-site property management. Payment of an additional application fee to re-underwrite the development, if applicable. Payment of an additional compliance fee to reflect increased monitoring requirements for developments that elect income averaging. Updated common application. Updated market study demonstrating sufficient market demand for each income bracket proposed.

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.