Management Innovation: Internal Operations

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation:
Mission Control

Over the last year, the scale of relief funding we administered required either a different way of doing things or lowering expectations. We opted for change. Static datasets and single platform systems are out. They gave way to an interplay of distinct systems connected in real time through a series of adapters that helped us substantially level-up our our service delivery for Alaskans.

California Housing Finance Agency:
Streamlining Multifamily

CalHFA developed and is implementing a customized Multifamily Reporting System to give both our Multifamily Lending and Asset Management divisions access to a single repository of information for all CalHFA Multifamily portfolio projects while saving more than $125,000 annually.

Illinois Housing Development Authority:
Inclusionary QAP

In 2021, Illinois Housing Development Authority established an internal QAP Task Force across multiple departments to conduct research and propose changes for the 2022-2023 QAP. The Task Force focused on three key policy priorities in its work: sustainability, racial equity, and special populations. Staff that actively work in the LIHTC program from our Multifamily, Asset Management, Strategic Planning, and Legal departments worked through each section of the QAP to update stagnant language and innovatively revitalize key scoring categories.

MaineHousing:
Moving To A Hybrid Workspace

COVID may have forced people to adapt to a work-from-home environment, but will this change be a permanent one? For MaineHousing the answer is yes. We have adopted a hybrid style work environment, fully incorporating it into our employee handbook. This entry details why we made this decision, how it has worked for us, and the changes we've made to ensure it remains a successful option for years to come.

Nebraska Investment Finance Authority:
The Trouble with Tradition, Making a Cultural Change

Nebraska Investment Finance Authority recently experienced a change in leadership that allowed us to review our agency’s mission and culture. Using an established management book, a communications consultant and training, along with staff participation we were able to craft a new mission, vision statements and determine our agency core values. Staff also worked hard to learn and implement new strategies proving that it takes collaboration and a shared vision to build a stronger agency.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency:
Helpdesk Evolution: Above and Beyond the Call

Prior to 2019, the Office of Multifamily Housing: Compliance Division managed two separate helpdesks for external partners. To streamline the process and improve customer experience, the helpdesks were merged and later expanded to include an Inspection and Resident Complaint sections. The evolution to an all-inclusive platform has allowed OHFA to quickly respond to internal and external partners and support them more effectively than ever before. Continue reading to be inspired to create an all-inclusive helpdesk solution for your HFA!

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency:
Strategic Sourcing: Building Partner Power and Reducing Cost

Public sector procurement is often viewed as bureaucratic and painful and the procurement role can be a basic operational function. PHFA made the innovative decision to invest in a strategic role that would do more than just "buy stuff". The creation of a focused role, development of simplified templates and implementation of consistent processes has already yielded benefits such as improved legal compliance, reduced risk, better supplier partnerships, improved opportunities for diverse suppliers, more effective use of resources and substantial cost savings/avoidances.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority:
New Building Construction and Move

In Fall 2020, WHEDA broke ground on its new headquarters located at 908 East Main Street in Madison, Wisconsin. The building was designed by Potter Lawson, Inc. who worked closely with WHEDA’s Design Team to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Some of the building’s sustainable features include state-of-the-art heating and cooling, energy efficient lighting, bird-safety glass, and a rooftop garden. WHEDA officially moved into the new building in February 2022.