SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
 1.1    Introduction/Background Information. The New Bern Housing Authority (NBHA) is interested in the review and selection of firms interested in serving as Co-Developer Partners to NBHA and requests the submission of qualifications for consideration. The NBHA is a public housing authority (PHA) created pursuant to North Carolina Statutes.

The following represents NBHA's current housing portfolio:

On September 14, 2018. Hurricane Florence made landfall in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Nearly 100 miles from New Bern, NC. Due to the slow motion of the storm, heavy rain fell throughout the Carolinas for several days. Flooding downtown New Bern as well as the Trent Court complex. It deemed; 12 buildings, 108 units uninhabitable in the Trent Court Complex.

NBHA desires to develop a mixed income community with additional housing opportunities that include low and moderate-income residents in New Bern, Craven County located in Eastern North Carolina. It will leverage access to land and FEMA funding as well as proximity to healthcare, jobs and other services and amenities in the New Bern area of Craven County in a public/private partnership with qualified Co- Developers.

NBHA will consider utilizing multiple debt and equity instruments including tax exempt bonds, HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI), low-income housing tax credits, conventional mortgage financing, limited partnerships, FEMA Funds, HOME funds, CDBG disaster recovery funds, and public/private collaborations as its principal forms of financing to develop additional affordable housing and potentially address other income ranges up to 80% of the Area Median Income. A major role of the selected Co-Developers will be to identify adequate development funds from available sources and to provide guarantees during the development period.

NBHA wishes to encourage high quality architectural design for all work which will revitalize the area. The developments will provide amenities commensurate with market rate properties in accordance with state and local ordinances and any requirements of applicable funding applications. These amenities may include a clubhouse with leasing office, "well-care" center, business center, etc.

NBHA seeks to incorporate Green Building techniques, increase community safety through environmental design, with ample green space and parking in the design.

NBHA has previous development experience, well established relationships with local governments, and a good relationship with local officials.

1.2    Method of Solicitation:

NBHA is soliciting qualification statements from firms with a documented track record of developing low and moderate-income housing, including senior communities in partnership with housing authorities and HUD; experience developing and financing affordable housing in the State of North Carolina will also be an evaluation criterion. The submission shall demonstrate the respondent's capacity and readiness to perform the necessary tasks expeditiously. The NBHA is also interested in acquiring and developing additional properties within the New Bern City limits. Finally, the submission shall include evidence of the respondent's previous experience and qualifications relative to the provision of necessary services to include working with Choice Neighborhoods Initiative implementation strategies.