Quechan Housing Authority to rehabilitate 26 single-family homes

Winterhaven, CA (Dec. 29, 2021) - The Quechan Housing Authority (QHA) closed with equity investor RBC Community Investments to begin construction on its $11.1 million development, QHA Homes #3. The development will rehabilitate 26 single-family homes on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation in Winterhaven, California.

"The Quechan Housing Authority is pleased to be awarded our third Low Income Housing Tax Credit development," said Andreana Jackson, executive director of the Quechan Housing Authority. "The LIHTC program has given QHA the opportunity to provide full home rehabilitations with energy efficient options. Our tenants have benefited greatly from these significant renovations. We would not have been able to progress forward without our partnerships with RBC Community Investments and Travois. We look forward in continuing our partnerships and building for our Quechan community."

Quechan Homes #3 received a 2021 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award from the California Tax Credit Allocation Commission (CTCAC) that generated over $8 million in investor equity from RBC Community Investments for the development.

"RBC Community Investments is proud to be a partner in QHA's third LIHTC development" said John Galfione, a director at RBC. "We are excited to see construction progress and welcome families in need of high quality, affordable housing to their new homes."

The new development is a continuation of QHA Homes #2, a rehabilitation of 38 homes, and will rehabilitate the remaining 26 homes in the subdivision. The 26 homes are intended for large families. Nine homes, which have three bedrooms and one bathroom, will be rehabilitated and receive a second bathroom. Ten homes, with two bedrooms and one bathroom, will receive an additional bedroom and bathroom. And seven homes with four bedrooms and two bathrooms will be fully renovated.

Travois Design, the project architect, incorporated several green building techniques in the rehabilitation scope to help lower energy use and costs. Each home will receive solar panels, increased wall and attic insulation, solar powered roof vents, high-efficiency HVAC systems and energy-efficient water heaters. Construction will begin in early 2022.

QHA partnered with Travois for consulting and architectural services. Travois is a Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting affordable housing and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

"We congratulate QHA as it begins construction on the second phase of rehabilitation," said Trent Rogers, senior project manager at Travois. "The development will provide families with safe, affordable housing. We are proud to partner with the Quechan Housing Authority on this important project."

About the Low Income Housing Tax Credit

The housing credit provides the private sector with an incentive to invest in affordable rental housing for low-income families. Since President Reagan signed it into law in 1986, the housing credit has financed the construction and preservation of more than 3 million affordable homes nation-wide, at a rate of nearly 100,000 per year. Today it produces virtually all new affordable housing and is the nation's primary tool for preserving existing affordable housing. The housing credit supports low-income families, veterans, people with disabilities and seniors in rural, suburban, urban and tribal communities. For more information, visit rentalhousingaction.org/about-lihtc.

About Quechan Housing Authority

The Quechan Housing Authority was established in 1963 and provides safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for the Quechan Indian people by creating new housing opportunities and sustaining existing housing stock. For more information, visit quechantribe.com/departments-housing.html.

About RBC Capital Investments

RBC Community Investments is a leading syndicator of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Renewable Energy Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, State Tax Credits, and Workforce/Impact Housing. By creating well-structured investments, our team of experienced professionals helps create the development of affordable multifamily communities and renewable energy solutions throughout the country. For more information, visit http://www.rbccm.com/communityinvestments.

About Travois

Travois is a Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting housing and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Since 1995, Travois has brought investor equity to more than 230 developments through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, making an impact of more than $1.5 billion across Indian Country. These private investor funds have helped build or rehabilitate more than 5,700 homes and have helped finance critical economic developments, including infrastructure, health care, community centers, education facilities and job incubators. The Travois family of companies also offers architectural design, construction monitoring services, consulting on green energy improvements, asset management and compliance services, impact investment models, and comprehensive training to clients in 22 states. For more information, please visit travois.com.