Who We Are
The Affordable Housing Management Association – Pacific Southwest (AHMA-PSW), a non-profit organization representing management agents and owners of over 85,000 housing units in Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California.
Members of our organization come from all aspects of affordable housing and property management agencies, together we work to promote, develop, and maintain quality affordable housing in the Pacific Southwest region.
Since its inception, AHMA-PSW’s mission is to serve affordable housing providers through advocacy and education and to be the voice of quality affordable housing. This commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into our values and belief, that our organization is strongest when we embrace the full spectrum of humanity. AHMA-PSW’s success is dependent on attracting and retaining a diverse membership and stakeholder universe. Diversity, equity and inclusion are key ingredients in creating great outcomes. The variety of thought, experience and culture results in creative and innovative decision making and member/stakeholder satisfaction in the increasingly diverse field of affordable multifamily housing management.
Due to this unique role, AHMA-PSW has long been committed to the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion within the affordable housing industry, through providing a wide variety of industry training opportunities, as well as a broad spectrum of programs, tools, resources, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. AHMA-PSW demonstrates its commitment to encouraging and supporting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of the organization and within all of its membership and stakeholder groups.
AHMA-PSW expects all members and stakeholders of the organization to recognize their responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. All AHMA-PSW members and stakeholders are expected to encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion during all events or activities connected to AHMA-PSW.
AHMA-PSW will commit to a deliberate process of seeking out diverse leadership and counsel so that its culture of diversity, equity and inclusion remains effective and relevant and is reflected in all programs and services provided to all members and stakeholders.
How We Make It Work / How We Do It
Our goal of affordable housing is accomplished by providing education, support and advocacy to our members empowering them to work with the various levels of government and private developers in managing housing units, as well as building communities. While there are many types of partnerships that exist between private and government entities, some of the more common federal regulations that keep housing costs low are explained below:
- Section 8:
By far the most prevalent form of assistance today, project-based Section 8 is a federal government subsidy program that offsets the cost of housing for low income tenants. Originally enacted in 1937 tenants pay 30% of their monthly income to housing costs with the rest being paid by the federal government. Congress created the program to encourage private housing developers to construct new housing and renovate existing structures. - Section 202:
Provides federal loans directly to nonprofit sponsors as a way to finance housing for seniors and disabled persons. - Section 221(d)(3) and (d)(4):
A low interest rate subsidy available to both for-profit and nonprofit developers of low and moderate-income rental housing. - Low Income Housing Tax Credit:
A tax credit given to private entities that invest in housing for low and moderate-income families and individuals.
While these are the most common forms of affordable housing assistance, many smaller programs (like HOME and Bond) exist at local and community levels between private developers and city governments.
Affordable housing provides a stable place for vulnerable community members to get back on their feet. We’re part of a network that provides cost-effective living to over 2 million Americans and manages over half of all privately owned affordable housing nationwide. Nobody deserves to be in a position where basic housing is unattainable. As long as there are families and individuals who need a roof over their head, we’ll be there to help.