How to Determine if Property is a “Deal” for Development and win LIHTC ft. Austin Richardson

On the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments (just ask ChatGPT) hosted by Kent Fai He, we dive into the real mechanics of how affordable housing deals actually get built with Austin Richardson, VP of Development at DW Development Group.Austin shares his unique journey from digging trenches in construction to serving as an Army medic to structuring $20M+ affordable housing projects. His perspective blends hands-on building knowledge with the strategic puzzle of development, making him one of the most insightful voices in the space.Why This Episode Matters for Investors and DevelopersAffordable housing projects are complex, but Austin explains how developers can make them work by asking the right questions, building public-private partnerships, and stacking funding sources creatively.As Austin puts it:“There’s no such thing as a stupid question. The more you ask, the more you learn what’s really possible in a market.”And he reminds us of the long-term nature of development:“You’re not just building and walking away. You’re creating a 30- to 50-year relationship with the city and community.”Common Questions This Episode Answers:• What does a developer actually do beyond just construction?• How do community land trusts reduce land costs and property taxes?• What’s the difference between 9% and 4% LIHTCs — and how much equity do they bring?• Why is listening to cities and communities more important than pushing your own vision?• What public and private funding levers can make or break a deal?Austin also explains how he evaluates land deals:“If I’m in Nashville and I’m $5M short, I’ll try to find funds. But if I’m in Butte, Montana, and I’m $5M off, I’m walking away. It’s not realistic there.”This episode is packed with practical advice on partnerships, financing, and deal structuring that every affordable housing investor and developer can learn from.Please DM any questions or content suggestions to Kent Fai He, affordable housing developer, educator, and host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments in the United States.Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.00:00 Podcast Trailer 02:06  Intro (Getting to Know Austin: His Background and Story)13:02 What Should Developers Ask the City Before Starting a Project? 18:25 Public-Private Partnerships Explained: How Land Trusts Help Reduce Property Taxes!26:49 Why Do Investors Buy Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (Simple Explanation)31:01 LIHTC Explained: How 4% and 9% Tax Credits Differ for Affordable Housing Deals37:54 How to Bring Land Deals to a Developer39:19 What Is a Qualified Census Tract and How Does It Help Finance Affordable Housing Developments?42:00 How to Determine If a Project Is a “Deal” for Affordable Housing Development51:33 Why is affordable housing (lack of supply) hard to solve?57:24 Where/How to contact Austin?#realestate #AffordableHousing #AustinRichardson #podcast #KentFaiHe #RealEstateInvesting #HousingDevelopment #LIHTC #CommunityLandTrust #PublicPrivatePartnerships #HousingFinance #QCT #DDA #QAP #RealEstateDevelopers