A DIFFERENT VIEW OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

THE BENEFITS OF ASSET AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT by American Land Planning & Management

In 2012, American Land Planning Management, represented by Philippe Beau was hired by BRIGHT COMMUNITY TRUST as a consultant and as their Asset and Development Manager. BRIGHT COMMUNITY TRUST is a large and unique non-profit company in Florida specialized in Affordable Housing both for rent and for sale. It is also a Land Trust. 

From 2012 to 2014, Philippe Beau managed the existing properties at CREEK PARK in Dunedin, FL on behalf of BCT. In 2014, he also prepared a concept and a development plan for the rest of the property which was approved, and then submitted for financing. He obtained a $2.600.000 loan from First Florida Integrity Bank on behalf of BCT. After interviewing and selecting a contractor, Voeller Construction, Philippe Beau continued with architecturals, permits, and construction  management. 

Currently in 2015, the project is well into its construction phase, and Philippe Beau recruited agent Nick Demitrakis from REMAX to start leasing phase 2 at Creek Park, starting in April for residents to move in on June 1st, 2015. 

Assistant Asset Manager, Missy Wolf, says that it has been a great experience to see a project rented to people at 120% of AMI, where residents are more  enthusiastic, financially responsible, mindful of the property maintenance, and community participants than the previous tenants at market price. It is a complete new view on managing affordable housing when you see residents who act like homeowners. "It's a smart approach for the residents" Philippe Beau adds, "because in the long run, the tenants who stay long enough, not only will have benefited from a house rented at 20% below market, but can elect to purchase the home -also at a sizable discount. All this was possible because we legally structured this community as a P.U.D. instead of a condo or an apartment project which allows the easy sale, one unit a time, with a fee simple deed, but also because it is in a Land Trust, where buyers don't have to pay for the land portion." It's a new era for affordable housing and for the middle class which both have been one of the cornerstones of the American Dream". In addition, it is perfectly in line with BRIGHT COMMUNITY TRUST's mission.  

This project is an example of a complete mission that American Land Planning Management  can provide for its clients: Concepts, land planning, platting (with its partnering civil engineers) bids and supervision of horizontal construction, drafting, architecture (with its partnering architects), selection and supervision of a commercial builder/contractor and construction all the way to the marketing phase for rentals, sales or real estate management through partnering company Klein and Heuchan. 

Two new appointments for Philippe Beau: Service to the Community in the Tampa Bay area

Bruce Bussey of the Pinellas County Development Department recently announced that Philippe Beau had been appointed by Robert Lasala, Pinellas County Administrator, to the AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOAN REVIEW COMMITTEE to provide guidance to their community development team. The purpose of this committee is to review new projects and practice sound lending practices in order to help reach the County's affordable housing and neighborhood improvement goals. The committee members were selected based on their experience in real estate development, construction and lending with the intent to make a careful evaluation of each affordable housing project proposed in the one of the most populous counties in Florida. Philippe Beau will join as the real estate development specialist of the team.

Philippe Beau was also intoduced by Darlene Kole, President/CEO of the CLEARWATER BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and voted in as its newest Board Member representing the UNIVERSITY OF BORDEAUX. In his functions, he will also chair the new EDUCATION AND MARKET RESEARCH COMMITTEE. The main objective of this committee will be to enhance the success of the chamber members involved in the tourism market in Clearwater Beach through the medium of education. Strategically, the first assignment will be to further develop the internship program with the University of Bordeaux started by Philippe Beau and Darlene Kole two years ago, and to find other similar bilateral agreements with other universities or business schools. One of the first tasks will be to work on the feasibility of a new 3-months program, with part time theoretical courses, and part time internships which will be entirely focused on tourism. The program will entail the elaboration of a very comprehensive market survey of the Tampa Bay area's tourism economy by a group of students, and to disseminate the results to all interested members of the chamber. As a result, it will offer specialized conferences for members in 2013. The committee will also act as a Think-Tank on tourism for the benefit of the chamber. As the chairman, Philippe Beau is looking forward to developing this committee by inviting the best professionals in Clearwater beach as its members.

25 affordable Senior Housing Units Planned in Chiefland (FL)

Philippe Beau and American Land Planning Management have just been offered the opportunity to design a new Senior Housing Community close to downtown Chiefland (FL) by the Chiefland Housing Authority. It involves the redevelopment of 5 contiguous lots that are an average of 100' x 180'. The project will have 5 attached homes per lot with a concept at 600SF with one bedroom one bath designs, ADA compliant, side patios opening on the living-rooms, and carports that are detached and located behind the homes and are accessible by a "green driveway" and surrounded by landscaping. The combined land planning and architectural goals are to design a community of  homes that can be seen from the street, but without a direct view of cars or carports, and even for guest parking . Safe pedestrians pathways will link carports and homes. Said Bob Williams, Chiefland Housing Authority's director: "the demand for small units, at affordable rents for our seniors in Chiefland is not satisfied, and most other projects are at full capacity, so this project will bring welcome relief". Roger Allen Curtis, general contractor associated with American land Planning who also resides in Chiefland said: "the design that Philippe will introduce is new to Chiefland in many ways, and will incorporate green construction with elements of co-housing, and other succesful urban designs to a more rural setting where large natural areas are anchored by density land planning, in order to offer seniors both the closeness and the companionship, and walkable, green and peaceful common areas". Philippe Beau credits this opportunity to his participation into the CRED program during the summer of 2010, his connections to other alumni, the reputation of the certificate in the affordable housing industry (mostly non-profit), and Bob Williams' vision for Chiefland. The first drafts should be ready in March for presentation to the board.