Smart, Inc.
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail: smart@smartinc1.com
Website: www.smartinc1.com
Corporate Contract
Number: GS00F0015M
CR499 Professional
Services Management, Organization, and
Business
Improvement Services (MOBIS)
I.
CORPORATE BACKGROUND
Smart, Inc. is a Real Estate
Development and Consulting firm that specializes in providing master planning,
operations management, construction management, information technology,
property management, and resident services.
Representative clients and main markets are federal, state, and local
governments, public agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Smart, Inc. has been in business since 1993.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has certified Smart, Inc. an 8(a),
Historically Underutilized Business Zone ( HUB Zone ) and Small Disadvantaged
Business ( SDB ) enterprise. Corporate
headquarters are located in the landmark Southern Triangle Building located in
the Central Business District of New Orleans, with satellite operations in
II.
SERVICES
Community Planning and
Development
Smart, Inc. was awarded the HUD contract for Consolidated Technical
Assistance for Community Planning and Development for the State of
Smart provided information, advice and recommendations to
HUD and program participants relating to efficient and effective management and
delivery of community development programs and services. Those programs and
services, in large part, focused on the acquisition,
rehabilitation, new construction, financing, management and maintenance of
affordable housing. During the course of the HUD/TA contract, Smart provided
briefings, technical assistance and other supportive services in solving
problems to avoid impediments to efficient and effective program operations.
Additionally, Smart provided evaluations, reviews and assistance in policy
review and design; policy and program implementation and reengineering;
legislation review and implementation; budget formulation support; program and
organizational management; information resources management; customer service;
financial management; operations analysis; risk analysis; and presentation
development.
Community Relations
Smart, Inc. has developed a special niche in designing local community revitalization initiatives incorporating Web/IT-based solutions to construction and communications. Examples of that work include designing a Website interface for a neighborhood revitalization effort, and designing technologically sophisticated homes and buildings for a 234-unit mixed-income, mixed-use community.
Smart, Inc. has developed expertise in Community Services, Family Self
Sufficiency, Job Training, and Employment program design and implementation. We
designed a successful
The principals of Smart, Inc. have many years of experience
working with public housing residents, resident councils and community-based
organizations. In the 1980's, Smart, Inc.'s CEO served as General Counsel to
the Tenant Advisory Council of the New York City Housing Authority, which
boasts a membership of over 600,000 public housing residents. Smart, Inc. has
represented Tenant Advisory Boards, Resident Councils, and Resident owned
businesses. We have also designed successful TOP, EDSS, and Youth Build
programs in Buffalo, NY; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; New Iberia, LA: and the
U. S. Virgin Islands. Collectively, we have worked with nearly 80 Resident
Councils around the world.
Smart, Inc. has also worked with nearly 100 community-based organizations
around the country that have been engaged in activities involving community
revitalization initiatives. Smart, Inc.'s team members serve and have served on
the board of directors for several community-based organizations and nonprofits
throughout the country over the last 15 years.
During our engagement by HUD in the intervention at the Housing Authority
of the City of Camden, New Jersey, Smart, Inc. was responsible for running the
entire Resident Services Department of the Authority. Smart, Inc. has been
involved in developing the social services component for three (3) HOPE VI
efforts. Smart, Inc. has designed and implemented programs responsive to the
needs of residents and have involved residents,
neighborhood organizations, local and state governments, community businesses,
and local supportive service agencies in the planning process.
Fair Housing
Smart, Inc. has provided Technical Assistance on Fair Housing issues to
public and assisted housing providers and CDBG, HOME and Shelter Plus Care grantees. Our team members are skilled in all
aspects of Section 504, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and
related laws.
Smart, Inc. has worked with Architects and Design consultants in analyzing
accessibility requirements and proposed building plans, as well as, new
technology available for sight and hearing impaired accessibility. We have
worked with units of local government to provide staff training and technical
assistance. We have also worked with HUD to Design technical assistance
workshops for governmental units.
Smart, Inc. also developed a revised Section 3 Policy and Procedural
Guidelines for the State of
Financing Strategies and
Structures
Smart, Inc. has a depth of talent
in fiscal analysis and sustainable financing. As a team we have analyzed both
rehabilitation and new construction projects. We have designed affordable
rental, limited equity cooperative, condominium, and single-family
homeownership projects. We have worked on Supportive Housing, Elderly Housing, 5(h), HOPE I, HOPE
Smart, Inc. was engaged by the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency to develop
leveraging guidelines for its HOME and Tax Credit Programs. We have developed
MOAs between agencies to share issuance costs and transaction fees. We have
also been engaged to lead Transaction Teams on several affordable housing
projects that have involved single and multifamily bond issues, as well as 4%
and 9% Tax Credits.
Identifying and leveraging non-Federal resources is a
competitive necessity in the development of affordable housing. Our talent is
leveraging resources and creating synergies between local initiatives. We have
experience in isolating viable options for the use of Low Income Housing Tax
Credits, Historic Tax Credits, 203k Mortgages, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Rural
Economic and Community Development (Farmer's Home), Federal Home Loan Bank, and
other non-government resources. Smart, Inc. has also worked with Tax Credit
Syndicators around the country and is attuned to the marketing of tax credits
to secure the maximum infusion of equity.
Smart, Inc.'s principals understand how to create sustainable neighborhoods of
mixed-income populations with a mix of financing. Our work on previous projects
has involved HOPE VI,
Master Planning
Smart, Inc. has served as a master planning consultant firm for the State
of
We have developed asset management strategies for several
public housing authorities with very different resident populations, in both
urban and rural settings. We have developed Consolidated Housing, Community and
Economic Development Plans (Consolidated Plans), and Comprehensive Housing
Affordability Strategies (CHAS) for municipalities and entire states. We have
developed Mixed Finance, Mixed Use, and Mixed Income projects for governmental
entities and private developers. We have also structured financing scenarios
and management teams, as well as coordinating start to finish.
Examples of other engagements include designing a state-wide, federally
funded HOME Program, developing and writing Homeownership Zone Plans, Community
Renewal Plans, Agency Plans and Empowerment Zone applications, and resolving
federal audit findings for municipal governments. The Company has revitalized
residential and commercial buildings for its own account and uses that
experience in designing and implementing projects for public and private sector
developers.
Multifamily Housing
Smart Inc. served as Housing Development Consultant for the City of
Each of those multifamily properties was encumbered with
HUD insured mortgages that had gone into foreclosure prior to and during the
time HUD was the mortgagee in-possession. The properties were is disrepair with
large concentrations of Section 8 recipients, infested with termites, and 50%
vacant. Combined, these multifamily properties represented approximately 1500
units of housing. Smart, Inc. designed a solution that included acquisition,
financing and management strategy.
Smart, Inc. has developed a special niche in designing
local community revitalization initiatives incorporating Web/IT-based solutions
to construction and communications. Examples of that work include designing a
Website interface for a neighborhood revitalization effort, and designing
technologically sophisticated homes and buildings for a 234-unit mixed-income,
mixed-use community.