Retained by The Charleston Area Alliance (CAA) for the purpose of conducting a Downtown Residential Feasibility Study to determine the feasibility of residential development in the Downtown area of Charleston, West Virginia. Due to the Downtown serving as the regional center for commerce, employment and government, there was a large demand for additional downtown housing and ultimately, CAA’s goal was to use the report to attract housing developers to the downtown area. As part of the scope of work, we identified vacant land and buildings within the downtown area that may be candidates for new housing or adaptive reuse. The final analysis identified data on current housing types and trends in the Downtown area with consideration given to the housing demands and availability of the surrounding areas of the city. This included projections of future demographics and any changes in housing trends. We also provided data related to the conditions, challenges and opportunities in the Downtown housing market while also providing recommendations and strategies for meeting the housing needs of area residents.

Retained by Main Street Morgantown (MSM) for the purpose of conducting a downtown retail analysis that would ultimately aide MSM and interested stakeholders in determining future retail demands and strategies to facilitate that growth. Final recommendations included specific types of retail opportunities to meet the needs of those retail categories that are under served, including total square footage that could be supported, rents, parking and other amenities that would make new retail alternatives most marketable, recommendations concerning the strategies or approaches that might be taken to satisfy the identified retail needs, and identification of specific areas of the downtown that may be most amenable to new retail development in order to provide additional focus to local redevelopment and retail efforts.R

Retained by The City of Asheville Community and Economic Development Department for the purpose of conducting a regional Housing Needs Assessment.  The region included the counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania. Supplemental analysis was conducted exclusively on Asheville, the region’s largest city.  The report included separate chapters for each of the counties as well as the city of Asheville. Each chapter addressed current and future demographic and economic trends, area rental and for-sale housing supply, housing gap, special needs population data and interviews with area stakeholders.

Retained to assist the Planning & Community Development and other Joplin city officials, as well as developers and other interested stakeholders in assessing the current and future housing needs, formulating initiatives for affordable housing, and examining current land use and economic development trends, specifically as they related to the impact of a devastating tornado that occurred in May 2011.

We completed a two-part market analysis in response to an RFP released by the Housing Authority of the County of Hidalgo. The first part of this analysis demonstrated the extent of effective demand for farmworker and/or low-income rental units that operate under the USDA Rural Development 514/515 programs. The second part was an analysis that identified the areas and the number of families affected/displaced by Hurricane Dolly in Hidalgo County and the demand and type of housing needed by the affected population.

Commissioned by Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation to conduct four separate single-family for-sale analyses in the city of Richmond and Chesterfield County, Virginia. The purpose of these analyses was to focus on such items as unit mix, proposed pricing levels as compared to other for-sale pricing, competitive amenity package, market penetration, unit configuration and a competitive analysis. Our analysts did a personal inspection of each for-sale subdivision within the market areas and collected sales data from area real estate professionals and online assessment tools.

Commissioned by Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation (CAHEC) to complete an analysis that addressed the potential support for both office/retail space and apartment housing at the subject site. As part of this assessment, we completed an on-site evaluation of the subject site that included its visibility, access, surrounding land uses and proximity to community services. We surveyed both the commercial (office and retail) and rental housing markets to determine area vacancy rates, rental rates, lease terms, features and quality. This information was used to evaluate the proposed subject project’s market position and overall competitiveness. We also included an evaluation of area demographics (including consumer expenditures), economic data, identification of planned or proposed developments and completed a demand analysis to determine the depth of market support for both the commercial and residential space. We concluded our report by providing absorption projections and recommendations necessary for the project to improve its competitive position.

Commissioned by the Greene County Department of Economic Development to conduct an Employer Survey and Countywide Housing Needs Assessment. The purpose of this report was to provide the county with an overview of current housing conditions and availability within the county and to aide them in future land use planning as the county goes through an increased population and employment incline as a result of the Marcellus Shale gas shale. We surveyed and analyzed multiple types of housing including apartments, single-family rentals, condominiums, for-sale homes and senior living alternatives. We also conducted surveys with area oil and gas workers and oil and gas employers in an effort to provide us with an overall picture of what employees and employers are looking for when it comes to worker housing. The study concluded with a housing gap analysis of for-rent and for-sale housing needs for various income levels.

Commissioned by Lifestream Services, Inc. (the area office on aging) in 2010 to conduct a NORC study. The purpose was to identify areas within the city of Muncie, Indiana that had high concentrations of seniors and to evaluate the housing and supportive service needs of the community. Work elements included identification of impediments in housing, public transportation, neighborhood walkability, parking, proximity to community services and supportive service programs. Additional work elements included a rental housing survey of a variety of senior housing alternatives, detailed demographic evaluations, and door-to-door intercept surveys with over 100 seniors to obtain first-hand knowledge and opinions of the housing challenges seniors in the area faced. Lifestream is currently using the study as a planning tool and to secure government financing.