Resources

SAHF and its members are committed to building safe and sustainable communities where people can thrive. Our commitment includes connecting the affordable housing field and new partners with resources and information about creating, preserving, and operating resident-centered affordable homes.   

We work collaboratively and independently to produce research and reports, informative profiles, or tools and trainings that support the development and preservation of affordable rental homes throughout the United States.

  • 2023

    Research / Report, Tools / Training

    Analysis of 2022 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs)

    An Analysis of 2022 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) that looks at how states are prioritizing resident services, looking at thresholds, set asides and incentives for supportive services, resident services, and special needs housing. (Available in Excel and PDF).

    Topic Financing, Service Enriched Housing

  • 2023

    Tools / Training

    SAHF Multifamily Portfolio Carbon Emissions Calculator

    The SAHF Multifamily Portfolio Carbon Emissions Calculator ("the Calculator") allows multifamily portfolio owners to calculate their annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in CO2 equivalent ("carbon emissions"). The Calculator was created to allow multifamily portfolio owners understand their carbon emissions baseline based on actual and estimated data, providing them with the first step of the journey to measurable carbon reductions.

    Topic Decarbonization, Environmental Sustainability

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2022

    Profiles

    North Commons at Village Hill Resident Interviews

    The Community Builders (TCB) recently completed a development, the North Commons at Village Hill, that was built to the Passive House Standard, and SAHF interviewed several residents to hear their experience. Through interviews, residents shared their stories and the positive impact that North Commons at Village Hill and the features of the Passive House Standard had on their lives.

    Topic Centering Residents, Environmental Sustainability, Service Enriched Housing

  • 2022

    Research / Report

    Strengthening Housing Stability: Lessons from a Flexible and Holistic Approach

    In the report on this work, read about how policy makers and philanthropic partners can further advance housing stability by supporting sustainable, resident-centered programs and the systems that support them; investing in mission-driven partners who can help deliver equitable, targeted solutions at moments of disruption; and utilizing existing networks to reach residents efficiently as well as share best practices and ideas with peers.

    Topic Centering Residents, Service Enriched Housing

    Download

  • 2022

    Research / Report

    2022 Abt Associates Research Matrix on Resident Services Impact

    This research/literature matrix was completed by Abt Associates as part of a broader research proposal for SAHF to compare outcomes between properties with and without resident services.

    Topic Centering Residents, Impact, Service Enriched Housing

    Source Abt Associates

    Download

  • 2022

    Profiles

    Resident Voices

    Residents share their experience with the energy retrofit process at two SAHF-member properties. Their stories exemplify why deep energy upgrades mean so much to affordable housing residents and contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities.

    Topic Centering Residents

    Source SAHF

  • 2022

    Research / Report

    The Big Reach Overview

    A two-page overview of the Big Reach Report.

    Topic Environmental Sustainability, Health & Housing

    Download

  • 2022

    Profiles, Research / Report

    Ownership and Asset Building in Housing Credit Properties

    This report offers a summary of models within the SAHF member portfolio that successfully introduced some form of resident ownership or control, or a structure for residents to build wealth, with a particular focus on Housing Credit properties in their extended compliance period.

    Topic Financing, Policy, Racial Equity

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2021

    Research / Report

    Framework and Guidelines for the System of Resident Services Coordination (2021 Update)

    This 2021 Update to the Framework for a System of Resident Services Coordination (Framework) builds off the original tool and highlights the commitments that many in the field are making to re-imagine some of the power structures and decision-making policies that have historically shaped affordable housing development and resident services initiatives.

    Topic Centering Residents, Service Enriched Housing

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2021

    Research / Report, Tools / Training

    SAHF Resident Benefits Fact Sheets

    SAHF's resident benefits fact sheets introduces residents to the five categories of building upgrades, the types of measures to expect, and some key resident benefits that result from the energy efficiency upgrades.

    Topic Centering Residents, Environmental Sustainability

    Download

  • 2021

    Research / Report

    The Big Reach Report

    The Big Reach was a collaborative initiative of SAHF, its 13 members, and partners to achieve a 20% reduction in energy and water consumption across the SAHF member portfolios by the year 2020. Download the Big Reach Report here.

    Topic Decarbonization, Environmental Sustainability

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2021

    Research / Report

    SAHF Outcomes Initiative Overview

    The Outcomes Initiative creates a common framework for members to demonstrate the impact on residents of stable affordable housing and other services in five areas: Financial Stability & Resilience, Health & Wellness, Housing Stability, Community Engagement & Safety, Youth & Education.

    Topic Centering Residents, Healthy Homes, Service Enriched Housing

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2021

    Research / Report

    Bridging the Digital Divide in Affordable Housing Communities: A Practitioner's Resource for Multifamily Operators

    This resource provides an overview of the current challenges, case studies of short and longer term solutions, and practical considerations for affordable housing operators and their partners seeking to connect residents to the wide range of online platforms that support their well-being. 

    Topic Centering Residents, Digital Inclusion, Policy, Racial Equity

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2021

    Research / Report

    The Impact of Home: Building to Opportunity, Health, & Equity

    SAHF's report highlights the results of five years of data collection.  From improved housing stability to increased income and access to health care - the findings point to the impact that service-enriched homes can have on resident lives. 

    Topic Centering Residents, Health & Housing, Impact, Service Enriched Housing

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2021

    Tools / Training

    Multifamily Energy and Water Management Toolkit

    This toolkit was developed to help improve energy and water management and reduce costs, spending and environmental impacts over the long‐term, while helping to preserve affordable properties.

    Topic Environmental Sustainability

  • 2020

    Research / Report

    10 Reasons to Carefully Consider How Insurance Carriers Use Crime Scores to Assess Risk in the Affordable Housing Industry

    This report examines on how insurance carriers use crime scores to assess risk in the affordable housing industry. This report raises concerns around the accuracy and effectiveness of using crime scores in insurance underwriting for affordable housing properties.

    Topic Policy

    Source SAHF, Scott Insurance, Virginia Community Capital, and the Center for Real Estate Excellence at Virginia Tech

    Download

  • 2020

    Research / Report

    Improving Income Qualification for Energy Efficiency Programs: Recommended Approaches for Subsidized Affordable Housing

    In collaboration with Energy Efficiency for All, Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future developed this fact sheet to offer guidance on how to design and administer income-eligibility criteria for low-income utility efficiency programs in ways that reduce barriers for the affordable housing owners and their residents who need these resources the most.

    Topic Decarbonization, Environmental Sustainability

    Source SAHF, EEFA

    Download

  • 2020

    Research / Report, Tools / Training

    Resident Voice and Agency Resources

    SAHF resident benefits resources to assist with incorporating resident benefits in the retrofit decision-making process.

    Topic Centering Residents, Environmental Sustainability, Service Enriched Housing

  • 2020

    Research / Report

    Investor Consents White Paper

    Based on lessons from the Energy Performance Contracting Demonstration, SAHF developed a white paper on considerations in requesting investor consents for stand alone retrofits.

    Topic Environmental Sustainability

    Download

  • 2020

    Research / Report

    Laundry Efficiency Study

    This report provides insight into the current laundry landscape in multifamily housing which reveals a significant opportunity for multifamily housing owners to realize substantial savings from reduced electricity, gas, and water use. It also looks at existing utility incentive programs that address laundry appliances and elucidates the greater need for programs to spur efficiency in multifamily common area laundry facilities.

    Topic Environmental Sustainability

    Download

  • 2019

    Profiles

    SAHF Mental and Behavioral Health Profiles

    SAHF has created a series of health profiles that highlight the practices and unique collaboration strategies of SAHF member resident service work in supporting the mental health needs of the residents they serve.

    Topic Centering Residents, Health & Housing, Service Enriched Housing

    Download

  • 2019

    Research / Report

    High Opportunity & Areas of Concentrated Poverty

    In this paper, Freddie Mac and the National Housing Trust explore the different definitions of opportunity and the methods used to promote opportunity housing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through the LIHTC program. 

    Topic Policy

    Source Freddie Mac Multifamily, National Housing Trust

    Download

  • 2019

    Tools / Training

    New and Improved Energy Efficiency Programs

    The resources below provide practical information on how to participate in utility- or state-funded efficiency programs that can support capital improvements and improve building performance at your property.

    Topic Decarbonization, Environmental Sustainability, Policy

  • 2019

    Research / Report, Tools / Training

    Driving toward the Greater Good: A framework and indicator tool for incorporating resident benefits in efficiency decisions

    Focusing in on benefits to residents, the Driving toward the Greater Good white paper documents the benefits that accrue from different types of building upgrades and puts forward a framework for incorporating those benefits into retrofit decision making.

    Topic Centering Residents, Development & Preservation, Environmental Sustainability

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2019

    Research / Report

    Financing the Preservation of Affordable Rental Homes

    These profiles show two transactions in which its members partnered with HPET in order to acquire apartment buildings and keep rents affordable.

    Topic Development & Preservation, Environmental Sustainability, Financing

    Source SAHF

  • 2019

    Research / Report

    An Affordable Housing Reboot Will Improve Community Health

    NHPF and CSH to call for fresh ways to use housing and health partnerships to bring about significant changes for those in need, including innovative funding approaches such as privatized housing vouchers.

    Topic Financing, Health & Housing, Healthy Homes

    Source The NHP Foundation, Corporation for Supportive Housing

    Download

  • 2018

    Profiles, Research / Report

    Building to Impact: A Data-Based Narrative Supporting Housing as a Platform

    With support from the Kresge Foundation, SAHF launched its Outcomes Initiative – a collaborative effort of the SAHF members to establish and utilize indicators related to resident outcomes. Building to Impact presents data from SAHF members as part of the first stage of the Outcomes Initiative.

    Topic Centering Residents, Health & Housing, Impact

    Source SAHF

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    HMA - SAHF Health and Wellness Outcomes Measurement Report

    The report provides an overview of the current health related services being provided by SAHF members, key healthcare measures and outcomes, and opportunities to align high-value services with those measures and outcomes.

    Topic Health & Housing, Healthy Homes

    Source SAHF, Health Management Associates

    Download

  • 2018

    Profiles

    SAHF Mental and Behavioral Health Profiles

    SAHF has created a series of health profiles that highlight the practices and unique collaboration strategies of SAHF member resident service work in supporting the mental health needs of the residents they serve.

    Topic Centering Residents, Health & Housing, Healthy Homes, Service Enriched Housing

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    Housing as a Platform for Improving Child and Youth Education Outcomes

    Building on SAHF’s on-going work in the housing and health care space, the Urban Institute is supporting the next step of the Outcomes Initiative to build the connection between housing and child and youth development, with a particular focus on education.

    Topic Centering Residents, Impact, Service Enriched Housing

    Source SAHF, Urban Institute

    Download

  • 2018

    Profiles

    Innovative Models in Health and Housing

    This report aims to bridge a knowledge gap between the affordable housing and healthcare fields that limits their ability to implement health and housing projects and partnerships.

    Topic Health & Housing, Healthy Homes

    Source Mercy Housing

    Download

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    Pay For Success & Affordable Housing

    This report explores the background of affordable housing in the United States, and the future of the affordable housing industry and aims to make the case for affordable housing as a fundamental right and pressing social issue by outlining its impact on health, education, and opportunity, among other aspects of every individual’s daily life.

    Topic Financing, Policy

    Source The NHP Foundation

    Download

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    Promoting Economic Mobility in Multifamily Housing: Initial Outcomes from Family Self Sufficiency Programs

    This paper from POAH describes the FSS program, the Compass FSS model, and the POAH-Compass partnership. The paper also includes early learning and results, which should encourage other private owners to consider implementing the FSS program - and in particular, the Compass model.

    Topic Centering Residents, Digital Inclusion, Policy, Service Enriched Housing

    Source POAH

  • 2018

    Profiles

    Where Will We Live?

    In 2017 NHT, in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners and People's Action, launched a special effort to elevate housing issues at the federal, state and local level using an grassroots campaign strategy called: "Where Will We Live."

    Topic Policy

    Source National Housing Trust

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    Efficiency Opportunities in Multifamily Common Area Laundry Facilities

    This new study examines how laundry is managed in multifamily housing and the types of machines commonly used. The study also analyzes the potential savings impact of switching to more efficient laundry machines and the extent to which current utility programs address the opportunity.

    Topic Environmental Sustainability

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    Energy and Water Savings in Multifamily Retrofits

    Results from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Green Retrofit Program and the Energy Savers Program in Illinois. This report will add to the available knowledge base by providing a detailed analysis of 236 multifamily properties that underwent energy and water retrofit projects from 2009 to 2012.

    Topic Environmental Sustainability, Policy

    Source SAHF, Bright Power

    Download

  • 2018

    Tools / Training

    EZ Retrofit

    SAHF developed the EZ Retrofit Tool with contractors ICF International and Bright Power, Inc. under a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Energy Innovation Fund. 

    Topic Environmental Sustainability

    Download

  • 2018

    Research / Report

    Housing as a Platform for Financial Capability

    Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) began working with SAHF to explore the field of work, income and assets, which included financial capability and financial health. This report was prepared for SAHF’s Outcomes Initiative by CFSI.

    Topic Financing

    Source SAHF, Center for Financial Services Innovation

    Download

  • 2018

    Tools / Training

    A Culture of Caring: A Compendium of Self-Care Tools and Workforce Support Principles for Front-Line Staff in Service-Enriched Housing

    This Culture of Caring: Compendium of Self-Care Tools and Workforce Support Principles for Front-Line Staff in Service-Enriched Housing provides active links to a variety of resources that focus on individual interventions as well as corporate level strategies.

    Topic Centering Residents, Health & Housing, Healthy Homes, Service Enriched Housing

    Source SAHF

    Download

  • 2017

    Research / Report, Tools / Training

    Resident Engagement ToolKit

    The Resident Engagement Toolkit contains a guide to conducting a tailored resident engagement program in multifamily affordable housing.

    Topic Centering Residents, Environmental Sustainability, Service Enriched Housing