Our Impact

Housing on Merit is pleased to announce it has acquired two affordable housing complexes located in Fairfield, CA, in partnership with Standard Communities.  The acquisition and partnership demonstrates a commitment to bringing communities with high-quality homes that residents can enjoy for generations to come.  The Parkside Villa and Rockwell Manor apartment complexes comprise 128 units and will undergo a $7 million renovation project to upgrade nearly every aspect of the properties, and will do so without displacing residents during the renovation.  “Housing on Merit is eager and excited to participate in the preservation of much needed affordable housing for Fairfield residents,” said Jennifer Litwak, Executive Director of HOM. “Parkside Villa and Rockwell Manor will soon be transformed into beautifully updated communities that residents will enjoy and be proud of for many years.”  In addition to overhauling unit interiors and improving energy efficiency, the renovation will modernize building systems, update facades, expand and improve common areas and amenity spaces.  Despite the comprehensive renovation there will be no rent increase for residents.

In partnership with Standard Communities, Housing on Merit recently completed an extensive preservation project at their Fort Chaplin Park Apartments in Washington, D.C.  The project completion was celebrated with a ribbon cutting event attended by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilmember Vincent Gray, who lauded the important impact the project will have in the community for decades.  “Housing on Merit is tremendously proud to be a part of such a collaborative effort that will improve the quality of life for hundreds of families residing at the Fort Chaplin Park Apartments,” said Executive Director, Jennifer Litwak.  “Preserving the affordability of these units combined with completing the large community renovation is a unique accomplishment for all of the parties involved.”  The redevelopment project ensures that all 549 units at Fort Chaplin Park Apartments will remain affordable to low- and moderate-income households for the next 30 years.  Standard Communities and Housing on Merit were selected as development partners by the Chaplin Hope Tenant Association, and this project is the largest tax-exempt bond, preservation deal in the District’s history.

Housing on Merit’s Executive Director, Jennifer Litwak, was a featured speaker at the 31st Annual Real Property, Trust and Estate (RPTE) National Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Conference in Boston on May 9-10.  The event featured the nation’s leading experts discussing the latest developments in real estate and trust, and estate law.  Ms. Litwak joined a panel of experts to discuss the function of Opportunity Zones.  They presented case studies, considered the effect of additional regulations, reviewed revenue procedures, and discussed program viability through 2026.  The panel also analyzed the benefits of Opportunity Zones from a tax, economic development, lender and treasury official perspective.  The RPTE is a leading national forum for lawyers consisting of 25,000 members.  The Real Property Division focuses on legal aspects of property use, ownership, development, transfer, regulation, financing, taxation and disposal.  The Trust and Estate Division focuses on all aspects of trusts, estate planning, employee benefits, insurance, and probate and trust litigation.  The RPTE is a member group of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Housing on Merit’s Housing Innovation Coordinator, Charly Ligety, attended the Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing’s (SCANPH) inaugural affordable housing debate in Los Angeles on May 9.  The event, “Room for Debate: Affordable Housing Hot Topics,” featured experts in affordable housing to debate the controversial affordable housing topics of inclusionary housing, rent control, and local vs. state control.  SCANPH’s Executive Director, Alan Greenlee, moderated the spirited debate of these complex topics that led to numerous opposing viewpoints but also highlighted several areas of agreement among the debate participants that included Rick Jacobus, Principal of Street Level Advisors; Mott Smith, Co-founder of Civic Enterprise; Becky Dennison, Executive Director of Venice Community Housing; Stuart Waldman, President of Valley Industry Commerce Association; Rick Cole, Santa Monica City Manager; and Anya Lawler, Policy Advocate at the Western Center on Law & Poverty.

Housing on Merit’s Executive Director, Jennifer Litwak, has been nominated to become a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF). The global honorary society consists of lawyers, judges, law faculty and legal scholars who have made significant contributions to society through outstanding leadership within their profession.  The ABF has become recognized as a leading institute for interdisciplinary research in law and social science by addressing critical questions on a myriad of issues including law and health, the social costs of mass incarceration, diversity and equal justice, legal education, law and globalization, and the impact of early childhood education.  The ABF is limited to one percent of lawyers practicing in the United States and its research impacts the legal profession, policy and the entire justice system.  By providing support for the ABF, Ms. Litwak will be helping to advance justice and the understanding of law.

Housing on Merit is proud to announce it has extended its reach in the affordable housing industry to the Midwest by acquiring Michaelmas Manor Apartments in partnership with BLVD Capital.  The affordable housing complex, located in Toledo, OH, consists of 94 units affordable to low-income seniors and people with disabilities.  The complex includes a business center, community game room, two community rooms and two community libraries.  “Housing on Merit is excited and proud to expand our work to preserve affordable housing to include residents of Toledo,” said Jennifer Litwak, Executive Director of HOM.  “Michaelmas Manor offers residents modern facilities specifically tailored to their needs.”

Housing on Merit’s Executive Director, Jennifer Litwak, has joined the Home Start Board of Directors to support the agency’s commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to provide evidence-based family strengthening services.  The Board represents a diverse background of professionals and experts in their field, who have a passion for strengthening families and communities in San Diego and beyond.  Board members also serve on select committees to provide financial oversight and governance, supporting strategic planning, developing policies and assisting with fundraising.  In 2018, Home Start served over 28,000 families in San Diego and surrounding counties.

Housing on Merit has been a member of Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) since 2016.  HAND is a nonprofit membership association comprised of over 350 organizations working across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to collaborate in the production and preservation of affordable housing in the Capital Region of Baltimore, Washington and Richmond.  HOM supports HAND’s mission of convening a professional community of housing providers to increase the supply of affordable housing in the Washington metropolitan area, and we are involved in HAND’s Braintrust Committee, which is comprised of emerging leaders that support the implementation of programming as part of the GenerationHAND initiative.  To date, HOM has co-developed 653 units of affordable housing in Washington, D.C.

Click to download