The Differences Between Market-Rate and Affordable Housing
If you’ve been involved in the housing industry for any period of time, you’ve probably heard the terms “market-rate housing” and “affordable housing.” But what exactly is the difference between the two? Don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you.
Market-Rate Housing
Market-RateHousing is also known as conventional housing. This just means that the property does not have any type of subsidy, and the resident pays the full amount of the rent that is determined by the market.
Attributes of Market-Rate Housing:
The lease terms are customizable
No restrictions on additional services and fees you are able to provide to the tenant
You can non-renew a lease for any reason
The rent is not guaranteed (residents may or may not pay, might be late on rent)
Late payments/refusal to pay could lead to eviction
You can create your own screening criteria
There’s no limit on the rental amount that you can charge
Rent is dictated by what someone is willing to pay for the unit
If you want to check out our available market-rate properties, click here.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing is also known as subsidized housing, meaning that the property is receiving a subsidy from a governmental agency whereby the resident is only responsible for a portion of the rent. This portion of the rent that they owe is typically based on their income.
Attributes of Affordable Housing:
Lease terms are subject to the agency issuing the subsidy
The rental subsidy payments may be subject to property inspections from the agency
You are limited in reasons for non-renewing a lease
The rent is guaranteed by the agency issuing the subsidy
Your screening criteria is also dependent on the agency that’s issuing the subsidy
The rental amount is dictated by the agency that’s issuing the subsidy
There are income restrictions for residents to qualify
If you want to learn more about the different types of Section 8, check out this blog post.
If you want to check out our available affordable housing properties, click here.
All in All
Whether the property is market-rate or affordable housing, our primary goal is still the same: to provide safe and habitable housing for all of our residents, as well as professional management services to meet our clients’ goals for any property that we manage.
We have 40+ years of expertise in all aspects of housing in and around the Pittsburgh area, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, so if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Stoneboro, PA – Arbors Management continues to expand their reach by adding Lakeview Manor in Stoneboro, PA to their portfolio. Effective June 1st, Arbors will become the new management agent of the 50-unit senior building near their new office in Grove City and other Arbors-managed properties, such as Evergreen Arbors in Franklin and Towne Towers in Oil City.
Lakeview Manor is an affordable independent senior living facility that offers a wonderful community of residents and has been a staple of the community for 36 years since its construction in 1987. Located near Lake Wilhelm, Goddard State Park, the Stoneboro Fairgrounds, Grove City Outlet Mall, and Conneaut Lake, residents have plenty to do just minutes from the property.
Since 1982, Arbors Management, Inc. has built a portfolio of over 4,000 residential units with a large majority in the affordable housing segment across Western PA and West Virginia, and it continues to grow each year. The team at Arbors Management is thrilled to begin building a lasting relationship with the residents of Lakeview Manor.
If you’d like to learn more about how Arbors can help you manage your property, please contact us.
Read the original article online on the Pittsburgh Business Times here.
By: Nicole Fandel, Marketing Specialist, and Glenda McCrary, Property Manager at Weston Arbors
Welcome to Weston Arbors!
Weston Arbors is a high-rise apartment building consisting of 8 floors and a total of 119 one-bedroom apartments, each equipped with a refrigerator, range, individually controlled heat and air conditioning, wall to wall carpeting, and a private balcony. We have onsite management, maintenance, and a resource coordinator, onsite laundry facilities, and a large community room and lounge for residents to enjoy – not to mention a gorgeous view of the West Virginia mountains!
In case you didn’t know, Weston Arbors was built in 1980 but has undergone recent renovations! Some of these updates include new carpeting in the hallways, new carpeting and seating in the community room, removal of multiple trees on the property to allow for more natural light, and more.
What’s Around Weston Arbors?
While we have the privilege of privacy, we are located within walking distance of Dollar General and Lewis County Park. We are also within a few minutes of local shops and restaurants like Giovanni’s, the Lewis County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shop ‘n Save Express, and more.
A fun fact about Weston is that it is the county seat of Lewis county, where General Stonewall Jackson grew up during the Civil War. Weston, WV is also home to one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the world. It was built in 1864 and originally was a mental hospital, but now serves as a National Historic Landmark and offers ghost tours. Weston is also known historically for its large contributions to the glassmaking industry (source, picture source).
A Look Inside Our Homes
About the Manager: Glenda McCrary
Property manager Glenda McCrary has one daughter and has been married since 11/11/2011 – she also is from a family of 10 children! Originally working as a nurse, Glenda thought it was time for a change and decided to jump into the world of property management. She has been a part of the Weston Arbors community since October of 2014 and hasn’t looked back since!
Interested in Weston Arbors?
If you’re interested in filling out an application or learning more about Weston Arbors and all we have to offer, please take a look at our property page or contact property manager Glenda McCrary at 304-269-7344or westonarbors@arbors.com.
By: Brady Merkle, Regional Operations Manager, and Michelle Cherup, Property Manager at Carmichaels Arbors
Welcome to Carmichaels Arbors!
Carmichaels Arbors is a beautiful community consisting of 76 garden-style apartments. We have 16 buildings spread over four acres with sidewalks leading to the front door of every apartment. Every resident has their own patio and garden area where they plant beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. Property grounds are meticulously maintained by onsite staff all year round. The community is tucked away in a quiet area of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, just a few blocks from the quaint town circle and necessary stores, banks, and restaurants.
Locale
Carmichaels, PA is a small borough located about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh, PA and approximately 30 miles southeast of Washington, PA. Notable places to visit near Carmichaels include the Skyview Drive-In Theatre and Thistlethwaite Vineyards. Cedarwood Apartments, another property managed by Arbors Management, is only one mile away from Carmichaels Arbors.
Residents
What makes Carmichaels Arbors most special are the residents. They are a friendly group that care for and watch out for one another. When the weather is nice, you’ll see big smiles and hear joyful laughter coming from our beautiful courtyard in the middle of the complex. Residents also gather in our charming community room to play cards and bingo, and to have the most fun and festive holiday parties. Those of us who get to work and live at Carmichaels Arbors are very fortunate to be a part of such a special community!
Did You Know?
Carmichaels Arbors is a Project Based Section 8 Housing community and became so after its construction in 1978. Our affordable apartments are designated for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The community room is a great place for residents to socialize with their friends and neighbors. The community room is used for hosting all sorts of events including cards/bingo, birthday and holiday parties, and a monthly Library Program. It even has a computer station open to the residents!
The property is almost entirely smoke-free, but we do still have a central designated smoking section for residents to utilize.
A Look Inside Our Homes
Our 1-bedroom garden-style apartments have private entrances and plenty of space to make a cozy, welcoming home!
About the Manager: Michelle Cherup
My professional career started as an Administrative Assistant at Howard Hanna Real Estate. After working there for several years, I decided it was not for me. After I had my son, I decided I wanted a job closer to home, so I got a job working for a small property management company called Dentino Agency in California, PA, which managed housing for college students. The owner encouraged me to get my Real Estate license. While working there, I found that I really liked the property management side of real estate.
After working a couple of other positions, one wonderful day, I saw the Property Manager job posting for Carmichaels Arbors and Arbors Management. I immediately applied, as the property was only 15 minutes from my home. I had my interview with Paul Lingenfelter; we hit it off from the moment I met him and the rest is history. To me, working at Carmichaels Arbors is a dream job; I love the property, my co-workers, and especially the residents.
My husband and I love to travel to new places. He won’t fly but that’s okay because he will drive anywhere. Places we have traveled to in the past are San Antonio, TX, Memphis, TN, Boston, MA, Cape Cod, MA, Orlando, FL, Key West FL, Pensacola Beach, FL, Nashville, TN and we have been to Ocean City, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC and the Outer Banks, NC.
We are excited this year to be traveling to Key West, FL again; we are stopping at Savannah, GA on the way down for a few days and Daytona Beach, FL on our way back. Every month we try to go somewhere for a weekend trip. Some of my favorite weekend spots are Deep Creek, MD and Annapolis, MD where the seafood is delicious. My favorite place we have ever been is Key West, FL, and we are so excited to be going back this July. I have a feeling it will be hard to leave, so if I don’t return, you will find me selling straw hats on a corner in Key West!
My husband Jim and I are high school sweethearts, the old football player/cheerleader story. We have been happily married for 35 years this coming October. We have one son, Austin; he is 25 and we are very proud of him. We also have a silly grand-dog named Willie Nelson who we adore. I am truly blessed with the life I have!
Interested in Carmichaels Arbors?
If you’re interested in filling out an application or learning more about Carmichaels Arbors and all we have to offer, please take a look at our property page or contact property manager Michelle Cherup at 724-965-7111or carmichaelsarbors@arbors.com.
It’s likely that you’ve heard of Section 8 housing, or its two subcategories, but do you know exactly what it is?
According to this article on www.hud.gov, the Section 8 Housing program is “the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.”
Oftentimes, there can be confusion regarding the Section 8 program, who qualifies for Section 8 housing, what it means for owners and their rental properties, and more.
Today, we’re going to try to clear up some of that confusion for owners and tenants by discussing Section 8 and breaking down the two housing programs – Section 8 Vouchers and Project-Based Section 8 Housing – that fall under that title.
Program #1: Section 8 Voucher Program
The first type of Section 8 housing is the Section 8 Voucher Program.
A Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is a type of housing assistance that will pay a portion of the rent that is charged on a unit.
The Voucher is awarded by the local Housing Authority to a qualified applicant and can be used at any rental property that accepts Section 8 Vouchers.
Who Qualifies for the Section 8 Voucher Program?
There are income and household composition requirements that must be met to qualify, but the applicant should contact the local housing authority for more information on those requirements.
Accepting Vouchers as a Property Owner
If you’re a single-family rental property owner, you can agree to accept these Section 8 Housing Vouchers if you so choose. If you do, you will receive all or some of the rental payment directly from the housing department every month.
Many rental property owners in Pittsburgh find this to be a good strategy because it’s guaranteed rent. You won’t have to chase down residents for late rent or missing payments because you know exactly where the money is coming from – a government agency.
However, even though your rent payment is guaranteed, there are still some hoops to jump through when you accept Section 8 Vouchers at your rental property.
Your property will have to undergo several different types of inspections. If there are any habitability issues, you’ll need to fix them right away – otherwise the Voucher program will not approve you for participation.
Additionally, there can be delays with rent payments, especially if there’s a government shutdown.
There can also be a difference in market rental values. With a market-rate property, you can set the rent at whatever you want; as long as the market will bear what you’re asking, you’ll get the rental price you ask for. But with a Section 8 Voucher, you are limited to what the Section 8 program determines is the acceptable rent rate for your property.
Does Arbors Management Accept Section 8 Vouchers?
Arbors Management will accept Housing Choice vouchers for the properties that have Low Income Tax Credits attached to them: The Meadows Apartments and 38 West Prospect Road in Washington, PA.
We do not accept Vouchers for our Project-Based Section 8 or PRAC (Project Rental Assistance Contracts) properties because there is already a deep subsidy attached to the unit itself. If an applicant has a Housing Choice Voucher and moves to a Project-Based Section 8 or PRAC unit, the applicant will lose the Voucher.
When looking for housing with a Section 8 Voucher, please be sure to check with your leasing agent to see if the owner will accept a Housing Choice Voucher.
Program #2: Project-Based Section 8 Housing
Project-Based Section 8 properties have an agreement with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) that HUD will pay a portion of the contract rent (the rent rate that HUD has established for the property) for qualified residents.
The resident will pay 30% of his or her adjusted gross monthly income and HUD will pay the difference between the rent paid by the resident and the contract rent on the unit.
Project-Based Section 8 Housing is a little bit different than the Voucher Program. In this case, the subsidy is attached to the property, not the person. So, funding is given out based on the property, not an individual person and their income.
Who Qualifies for Project-Based Section 8 Housing?
It all depends on the property!
Eligibility factors always include an income limit based on a percentage of the median household income. This income limit is set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It’s updated annually and the income limit increases for every household member living in the unit.
Other eligibility criteria include age or disability if the property is considered an elderly property, as well as number of persons that will be living in the household.
Finally, for a household to qualify for a unit in this program, the household must require at least one dollar of subsidy even if it is below the income limit for the property/household size.
The best way to discover the eligible criteria for a property is to contact the Property Manager and ask what the eligibility criteria are for it.
What Are the Differences Between the Two Programs?
While both programs provide “deep subsidy” assistance, the major difference between the two is that in the Housing Choice Voucher program, the subsidy is attached to the tenant not the unit, while in Project-Based Section 8 programs, the subsidy is attached to the unit, not the tenant.
In other words, a tenant who has a housing choice voucher may move to another location and still receive Section 8 assistance, but with a Project-Based Section 8 property, if the tenant moves he or she may not transfer the subsidy to another property.
What Are the Similarities Between the Two Programs?
For both Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Section 8 units, the tenant is required to provide income, asset and expense information on an annual basis. Rent will be adjusted yearly based on the information that is provided.
It is also important to note that despite differences in requirements for each program, the purpose of the two programs remains the same: to assist low-income families, persons with disabilities, and elderly by providing comfortable, safe housing.
In Conclusion…
There are two types of Section 8 Housing: Section 8 Voucher Program and Project-Based Section 8 Housing.
While both programs are meant to help low-income families, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, they do so in different ways. Section 8 Vouchers are attached to the tenant, while the subsidy for Project-Based Section 8 Housing is tied to the unit.
Section 8 can be a confusing topic, especially if you’re not dealing with the program on a daily basis. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d be happy to help you manage your Section 8 property or help you find an affordable place to call home.
Hello, my name is Christopher Wagner and I am the President of Arbors Management. I would like to start out by stating that I am very proud of the team here at Arbors and I know that each and every member strives to do the right thing for our clients and make their experiences with Arbors as pleasant as possible. We are first and foremost a service business, and it is important for me to be able to serve our clients and customers excellently. Although I am not too comfortable talking about only myself, as I prefer to lead by allowing others to grow and reach their full potential, I understand that sometimes my role requires it. After owning several companies dealing in investment properties, developments, and investment loans, I joined Arbors Management in 2007, only expanding on my experiences of over 20 years in the real estate business. I enjoy my job immensely because I truly enjoy seeing growth in others, and in my position I am able to fully support the development of my team; whether this be mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or otherwise. I hold an IST Degree from Penn State, however make great efforts to lead a lifetime of continuous learning. When I am not at work, typically you can find me with my family. I have a fantastic wife, who is my true support in life, and four wonderful children. In addition, I have served in multiple churches in different roles, including as deacon, director of the media team, and various outreach teams. I enjoy giving back as much as possible and make decisions based upon my principles, including the decisions I make in business, how I conduct myself, and the standards to which I hold myself. I am very proud of the dedication and hard work of my entire team here at Arbors Management and I would like to introduce my leadership team to you.
Hello, my name is Trisha Jester and I am the Director of Multifamily Housing here at Arbors Management. I started in the property management business 32 years ago and since then have held various positions, including maintenance, assistant manager, site manager, and regional manager. I have been with Arbors Management for 24 years now. Having the opportunity to work in all aspects of the property management field and be a part of the process from start to finish has provided me with the breadth of knowledge that I need for my current position. I obtained my PA RE License in 1994, and have accumulated many hours of training in Fair Housing, Tax Credit Compliance, and Property Management. One of the things that I love most about my job at Arbors is that my team and I are able to help people who are truly in need of finding affordable housing. Together, the team and I manage over 2,450 units in Western PA and West Virginia. I have been married to my husband, Brad for 26 years, and have two sons, one in college and one a Sargent in the National Guard. On the weekends I enjoy road trips with my husband on our motorcycle, as well as gardening, reading, and cooking.
Hello, my name is Nicholas Griffith and I am the Director of Business Development here at Arbors Management, Inc. I also serve as the Vice President of Arbors Real Estate, LLC, our real estate sales company. I’ve been with Arbors since 2016, starting as a Portfolio Manager, then serving as the Director of our Scattered Site Properties, and now in my current role. Prior to Arbors Management I had experience in leasing and managing a growing portfolio of 300+ scattered site market rate rental properties. Additionally I also worked in the affordable housing industry as a Certified Occupancy Specialist working on qualifying new residents to move in and various certifications for their residency. During my time here at Arbors I’ve truly enjoyed working with our clients and customers to ensure their satisfaction with our services and my focus has been on perfecting and expanding our services to be the go-to resource for real estate investors. It’s been my pleasure to work with the dedicated and passionate team we have here at Arbors who really care about all the properties, owners, and residents we work with every day. When I’m not breathing all things real estate, you can likely find me at home with my wife, son, and dog. I enjoy the vast restaurant and local brewery options that Pittsburgh has to offer, watching football, hiking, canoeing, exercising, snowboarding, and traveling. I look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals!
Hi, I am Patty Recklitis, and I am Chairman of the Board at Arbors Management. Being in the property management business for more than 30 years, I have watched this industry change and grow in so many fascinating ways. As a committed employee and now Chairman of the Board of Arbors Management, I have been instrumental in shaping this company and developing it into the strong, market leader position it enjoys today.
Buon Giorno! I am Cindy Peterle-Harris, the Director of Compliance here at Arbors Management. Although my degrees are in Political Science and the Italian language, I have been working in the affordable housing field since 1980, and with Arbors Management Inc. since 1995: first as a property manager for a senior complex, then as a regional manager, and as the Director of Compliance since 2010. Although it may seem that my education and my profession are worlds apart, I have used my language skills with residents who have limited English proficiency and used the lessons I learned in international diplomacy to maintain peace among neighbors and co-workers. As Director of Compliance, much of my time is spent in research, in teaching, and in problem resolution. I really enjoy working with the managers and staff of our affordable and conventional properties and helping to provide safe and comfortable housing for seniors and families. When not at the office, my husband and I are very involved with our Church and our combined families. With the recent birth of our 10th grandchild, “Grammy” has become my favorite title!
Hi, I am Michael Recklitis and I am the director of maintenance at Arbors Management and have worked for Arbors Management since 1995. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Master of Science in Marketing Education from the University of Pittsburgh. My state certification in “Building Trades and Maintenance” allowed me to teach many students, who learned the basics of building repair and hand tool usage. I owned a small HUD subsidized apartment building. This ownership helped teach me about subsidized housing, REAC inspection and the required HUD tenant certification needed to rent those units. My position focuses on the physical condition of the many properties managed by the company. I enjoy working as a team member with building staff and have facilitated many property projects with outside contractors and our property staff. I have worked with PHFA Technical Services to complete needed work at other properties that they are involved in. My many interests have included but are not limited to gardening, amateur radio and going to that occasional Penguin, Steelers or Pirate game with my wife. As a boy, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout which helped teach me values and respect. As part of being a scout, I belonged to “The Order of the Arrow” that is Scouting’s National Honor Society which helped strengthen my faith.
My name is Eric Miles and I have been in the real estate industry since 1993. I obtained my Pennsylvania Real Estate Sales license in 1993, and after letting it expire, regained it in 2018 and have received my Brokers License in 2022. I have been intimately involved with mortgages/loans throughout his career with over $150 million of financing obtained for the multiple residential, commercial and office properties. I have worked with two other property management companies with one specializing in residential properties and the other in commercial and office before coming to work with Arbors Management Inc. in 2015 as their Controller. Since then, I have been promoted to Vice President of Operations which oversees the Accounting, Human Resources, Compliance and IT
departments as well as being elected to the Board of Directors.
I currently hold a BSBA in Accounting and a MBA in Finance from Robert Morris University as well as a BS in Real Estate from LaRoche College. In my free time, I enjoy reading and bowling and am often planning my next travel adventure.
Hello, my name is Alex Gurevich and I am the Director of Maintenance here at Arbors Management. I have over 15 years of maintenance experience working in high rise buildings and multi family complexes. I have been with Arbors since January 2019 and really enjoy working with our team. I have extensive background in electrical, HVAC and plumbing. I also enjoy working with electronics and automation, and have a huge passion for building mechanical systems and love troubleshooting problems.
Cayla has been involved in real estate since 2012. Over the last few years, she has obtained both a Realtors License and a Certified Residential Appraisers license. Additionally, Cayla holds a Bachelor’s degree where she specialized in Business and Management. Always looking to expand and grow, she decided to join the Arbors Real Estate team in 2023. Cayla is dedicated to providing excellent real estate services and looks forward to assisting you with your buying and selling needs!
Stacey has been with Arbors since 2020 as a property manager- responsible for 200 units. She recently obtained a Realtors License and is excited to help pair buyers and sellers with their perfect investment property, diamond in the ruff or first time home.
I began my journey in real estate in 2006 as a leasing consultant and obtained my real estate license in 2011. Prior to entering the real estate field, I pursued a degree in Hospitality Management, which eventually led me to become a General Manager at Atria’s in Robinson. What I love most about both industries is the opportunity to meet new people. I am married and have two sons, Antonio, aged 11, and Giovanni, aged 7. When I’m not working, I cherish spending quality time with my family, enjoying vacations, and indulging in delicious Italian cuisine!
Alexis has a drive to help others. She recently moved to Arbors Real Estate. LLC. As the Transaction Coordinator and Real Estate Agent. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to sell your property, she changes her approach to meet your unique needs. With years of exceptional customer service, she focuses on building lasting relationships with her clients, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.
Property manager Glenda McCrary has one daughter and has been married since 11/11/2011 – she also is from a family of 10 children! Originally working as a nurse, Glenda thought it was time for a change and decided to jump into the world of property management. She has been a part of the Weston Arbors community since October of 2014 and hasn’t looked back since!
