Ricardo Gilmore, senior partner, Rhonda Stringer, partner, and Jozette Chack-On, partner, at Saxon Gilmore, were guest moderators and/or speakers at the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (FAHRO) convention held August 12 – 15, 2008 at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in Aventura, Florida. The convention provides an opportunity for Public Housing Authority and other professionals, who provide public and assisted housing in Florida, to network and further their education in this area.
Mr. Gilmore serves as special counsel to housing authorities in Florida and other states relative to affordable housing development matters, which involve a multiplicity of legal issues unique to housing authorities as well as applicable to governmental agencies and/or corporate entities. Mr. Gilmore moderated the panel discussions on the differences between Public Housing Authority management and governance, as well as who is best positioned and responsible for these very different functions.
Ms. Stringer concentrates her practice in the area of affordable and public housing, which includes operations, management, policy and regulatory matters involving public housing authorities and other affordable housing entities; Section 8 housing assistance programs; housing programs for the elderly; and HOPE VI and mixed finance housing development programs. Ms. Stringer’s presentation addressed Public Housing Authority obligations pertaining to Fair Housing regulations.
Ms. Chack-On’s extensive experience in mixed finance affordable housing revitalization and construction projects, including project financing (such as HOPE VI, low income housing tax credits, tax exempt bonds, SHIP, SAIL, HOME), acquisition and redevelopment of real estate project management, and public/private partnerships made her a highly qualified candidate to speak at the convention. Ms. Chack-On’s presentation addressed the keys steps in the predevelopment stage of affordable housing development.