Vivianette Velazquez
Of Counsel
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
Vivianette focuses her practice primarily on counseling for profit and nonprofit developers and public housing authorities on affordable housing transactions using a variety of financing including low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, conventional debt, FHA financing and federal and local funds. She also has represented clients in transactions involving the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program...
Vivianette focuses her practice primarily on counseling for profit and nonprofit developers and public housing authorities on affordable housing transactions using a variety of financing including low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, conventional debt, FHA financing and federal and local funds. She also has represented clients in transactions involving the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and the Choice Neighborhoods program and advises on a wide range of HUD regulatory issues regarding affordable housing development.
and the Choice Neighborhoods program and advises on a wide range of HUD regulatory issues regarding affordable housing development.
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
- Associate, affordable housing development firm (2021-2024)
- Associate, D.C. boutique real estate firm (2016–2021)
- J.D. Distinguished Fellow, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Community and Economic Development Unit (2013-2014)
Representative Matters
Vivianette brings extensive transactional experience in affordable housing, including:
- Representing public housing authorities in mixed finance transactions converting their public housing units to Section 8 funding, either through a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) or Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) HAP contracts, under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program.
- Assisting public housing authorities with a variety of issues related to HUD funding programs, including the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
- Advising nonprofits, public housing authorities, and developers on HUD regulatory and legislative matters, including compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act, HUD procurement requirements, and Section 3 of the Housing Development Act of 1968.
- Closing affordable housing transactions utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and bond financing.
- Assisting property owners with the renewal and assignment of HAP contracts.
- Representing buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of FHA-insured multifamily properties, including HAP contract assignments.
- Advising nonprofits and housing cooperatives on resolving corporate governance issues.
Education
-
American University Washington College of Law,
JD,
cum laude
- Articles editor, American University Business Law Review
- University of Florida, BA, History, cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Florida
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Laura A. Cordero, Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Certifications
- Rental Housing Development Finance Professional, The National Development Council
Practice Areas
Previous Professional Experience
- Associate, affordable housing development firm (2021-2024)
- Associate, D.C. boutique real estate firm (2016–2021)
- J.D. Distinguished Fellow, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Community and Economic Development Unit (2013-2014)
Representative Matters
Vivianette brings extensive transactional experience in affordable housing, including:
- Representing public housing authorities in mixed finance transactions converting their public housing units to Section 8 funding, either through a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) or Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) HAP contracts, under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program.
- Assisting public housing authorities with a variety of issues related to HUD funding programs, including the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
- Advising nonprofits, public housing authorities, and developers on HUD regulatory and legislative matters, including compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act, HUD procurement requirements, and Section 3 of the Housing Development Act of 1968.
- Closing affordable housing transactions utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and bond financing.
- Assisting property owners with the renewal and assignment of HAP contracts.
- Representing buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of FHA-insured multifamily properties, including HAP contract assignments.
- Advising nonprofits and housing cooperatives on resolving corporate governance issues.
Media
Recognitions
- American University, Washington College of Law Pro Bono Honors Pledge
- Equal Justice Foundation Fellowship
Professional Activities
- Member, American Bar Association Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development; Committee Member of the Diversity and Outreach Committee (2024 – present)
- Member, Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- Member, National Hispanic Bar Association
Vivianette focuses her practice primarily on counseling for profit and nonprofit developers and public housing authorities on affordable housing transactions using a variety of financing including low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, conventional debt, FHA financing and federal and local funds. She also has represented clients in transactions involving the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program... and the Choice Neighborhoods program and advises on a wide range of HUD regulatory issues regarding affordable housing development.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Previous Professional Experience
- Associate, affordable housing development firm (2021-2024)
- Associate, D.C. boutique real estate firm (2016–2021)
- J.D. Distinguished Fellow, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Community and Economic Development Unit (2013-2014)
Representative Matters
Vivianette brings extensive transactional experience in affordable housing, including:
- Representing public housing authorities in mixed finance transactions converting their public housing units to Section 8 funding, either through a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) or Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) HAP contracts, under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program.
- Assisting public housing authorities with a variety of issues related to HUD funding programs, including the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
- Advising nonprofits, public housing authorities, and developers on HUD regulatory and legislative matters, including compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act, HUD procurement requirements, and Section 3 of the Housing Development Act of 1968.
- Closing affordable housing transactions utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and bond financing.
- Assisting property owners with the renewal and assignment of HAP contracts.
- Representing buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of FHA-insured multifamily properties, including HAP contract assignments.
- Advising nonprofits and housing cooperatives on resolving corporate governance issues.
Education
-
American University Washington College of Law,
JD,
cum laude
- Articles editor, American University Business Law Review
- University of Florida, BA, History, cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Florida
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Laura A. Cordero, Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Practice Areas
- American University, Washington College of Law Pro Bono Honors Pledge
- Equal Justice Foundation Fellowship
- Member, American Bar Association Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development; Committee Member of the Diversity and Outreach Committee (2024 – present)
- Member, Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- Member, National Hispanic Bar Association
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