HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 - Housing Catalyst - Annual Report1,204
families assisted with housing vouchers
3,500meals provided
through the JumpStart program
60 new apartments built
for permanent supportive housing
1,093
local residences owned
and managed by Housing Catalyst
2020
AT A GLANCE
CARES Act impact
Housing Catalyst received $1,073,919 through the CARES Act to help
navigate and mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak in our community.
Funds were used to ensure uninterrupted, accessible service while
protecting the safety of our residents and staff. Housing Catalyst:
• Created professional videos to provide contactless onboarding
for Housing Choice Voucher holders, program education for local
property managers, and information for community partners.
• Modified usage of our office space to help prevent infection
during necessary in-person visits, and purchased equipment to
allow staff to work remotely.
• Built capacity to match increased pandemic response funding
for vouchers, including hiring staff and contracting with a local
nonprofit to provide housing services.
20%
seniors
30%
individuals
with disabilities
33%
children
4,300+
INDIVIDUALS SERVED ANNUALLY
REVENUES
1 Grant $17,289,270
2 Rent $11,095,524
3 Other $6,289,175
total revenues
$34,673,969 1
2
3
EXPENSES *
1 Housing Assistance $12,279,216
2 Administrative $8,988,369
3 Maintenance $3,309,099
4 Utilities $836,695
5 Depreciation $6,781,803
6 Interest $3,212,628
7 Other $1,042,827
*For all owned and managed properties
HousingCatalyst.com
970.416.2910
1715 W. Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521
total expenses
$36,450,637
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
Certificate of Achievement
for Excellence in Financial
Reporting
Housing Catalyst has received
the Government Finance Officers
Association’s Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting for 6 years
in a row, which is awarded to
only 20 housing authorities. This
achievement recognizes the
transparency of the organization
and demonstrates that our
financial reporting is robust and
comprehensive.
2020
FINANCIALS
Unaudited Financial Data
$233,371,224
in owned and managed assets
$113,044,703
in liabilities
AA-Standard & Poor’s Rating
Housing Catalyst
Fort Collins, Colorado
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
and Single Audit Report
Year ended December 31, 2020
With Comparative Totals for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Housing Catalyst
Fort Collins, Colorado
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
and Single Audit Report
Year ended December 31, 2020
With Comparative Totals for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Issued by:
Finance and Accounting Department of Housing Catalyst
Tonya Frammolino, Chief Financial Officer
Housing Catalyst
Table of Contents
December 31, 2020
Introductory Section
Letter of Transmittal i
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and
Canada (GFOA) December 31, 2019 Certificate vii
Organizational Chart viii
List of Principal Officials ix
Financial Section
Report of Independent Auditors 1
Management's Discussion and Analysis 4
Basic Financial Statements:
Statements of Net Position 13
Statements of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position 17
Statements of Cash Flows 19
Combining Statement of Net Position - Discretely Presented Component Units 23
Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenses and
Changes in Net Position - Discretely Presented Component Units 24
Notes to Financial Statements 25
Combining Schedule of Net Position 58
Combining Schedule of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position 60
Statistical Section (Unaudited)
Statistical Section Table of Contents 62
Net Position (Table 1) 63
Changes in Net Position (Table 2) 64
Operating Revenues by Source (Table 3) 66
Non-Operating Revenues by Source (Table 4) 67
Debt Service Coverage (Table 5) 68
Ratio of Debt to Capital Assets (Table 6) 70
Service Area Demographics / Statistics (Table 7) 71
Principal Employers for the City of Fort Collins (Table 8) 72
Resident Demographics / Population Statistics (Table 9) 73
Resident Demographics / Ethnicity Statistics (Table 10) 74
Number of Housing Catalyst Dwelling Units (Table 11) 75
Property Characteristics and Unit Composition (Table 12) 76
Number of Housing Catalyst Staff (Table 13) 77
Single Audit Section
Independent Auditors' Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on
Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements
Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards 78
Independent Auditors' Report on Compliance for Each Major Program and on
Internal Control over Compliance Required by the Uniform Guidance 80
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs 83
Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards 86
Housing Catalyst
Fort Collins, Colorado
Introductory Section:
Letter of Transmittal
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Organizational Chart
List of Principal Officials
June 11, 2021
Cathy Mathis, Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners
Members of the Board of Commissioners of Housing Catalyst
We are pleased to present the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (Annual Report)for Housing
Catalyst for the year ended December 31,2020.This report is prepared in conformance with
standards of financial reporting as established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
and the Government Finance Officers Association.The United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD)requires that all public housing authorities publish within nine months
after the fiscal year-end,financial statements presented in conformity with United States Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP),Housing Catalyst's financial statements presented here
have been audited by Eide Bailly,LLP.The auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Housing
Catalyst's financial statements for the year ended December 31,2020.The financial statements for
the year ended December 31,2019 were audited by Novogradac &Company,LLP and an
unmodified opinion was issued for those statements.The data presented in this report is the
responsibility of the management of Housing Catalyst.To the best of our knowledge and belief,the
data as presented is accurate in all material aspects;is presented in a manner designed to fairly
state the financial position and results of operations of Housing Catalyst;and all disclosures
necessary have been included to enable the reader to gain an understanding of Housing Catalyst's
financial affairs.GAAP requires that management provide a narrative introduction,overview and
analysis to complement the basic financial statements in the form of Management's Discussion and
Analysis (MD&A).Housing Catalyst's MD&A can be found immediately following the report of the
independent auditors.This transmittal letter is designed to complement the MD&A and should be
read in conjunction with it.
Housing Catalyst is required to undergo an annual single audit in conformity with the provisions of
Title 2 U.S.Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)Part 200,Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance).Information related
to this single audit,including the independent auditors'report on internal control over financial
reporting and on compliance and other matters based on an audit of financial statements performed
in accordance with Government Auditing Standards;the independent auditors'report on compliance
with requirements applicable to each major program and on internal control over compliance in
accordance with the Uniform Guidance;the Schedule of Federal Awards;Schedule of Findings and
Questioned Costs;and the schedule of prior year audit findings are included in the Single Audit
Section of this report.
Letter of Transmittal
2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Organizational Overview
Maintaining the fiscal viability of the organization.
Achieving a social goal through the provision of affordable housing and supportive services.
Achieving environmental sustainability.
Housing Catalyst was created in 1971 by a petition of twenty-five citizens who were concerned about
the community's lack of adequate,safe housing for all of its inhabitants.This report includes all
programs of Housing Catalyst as well as all of its component units.Component units are legally
separate entities for which a government is financially accountable.Housing Catalyst is not a
component unit of the City of Fort Collins (the City)as defined by the pronouncements of the
Governmental Accounting Standards Board.The governing body for Housing Catalyst is its Board of
Commissioners (Board)comprised of seven members appointed by the City Council.The Board
appoints a Chief Executive Officer (CEO)to administer the affairs of Housing Catalyst.Sources of
funding include resident rents,administration of HUD programs and HUD subsidies passed through
to program participants.The City is not financially accountable for the operations of Housing
Catalyst,has no responsibility to fund deficits or receive surpluses and has not guaranteed Housing
Catalyst's debt.
Housing Catalyst's goals are accomplished through a variety of housing programs and activities.
These activities include several programs developed by HUD such as the Low Rent Housing
Program (Public Housing)and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.In addition to these federal
programs,Housing Catalyst has established various instrumentalities to explore and develop
innovative techniques for providing a variety of housing possibilities for the low to moderate-income
residents of Fort Collins.These programs have allowed Housing Catalyst the flexibility to develop
several private/public partnerships providing a variety of housing opportunities for Fort Collins
residents.
Housing Catalyst is our community’s leader in sustainable,long-term affordable housing solutions.
Each year,the agency helps over 5,000 lower income individuals through innovative,award-winning
affordable housing and programs that also benefit the city’s economy and revitalize neighborhoods.
Housing Catalyst is a progressive housing provider and developer,offering permanent solutions that
move people out of homelessness, stabilize families, and improve lives.
To achieve our mission,all Housing Catalyst functions are operated with attention paid to a triple
bottom line:
Housing Catalyst currently owns and operates 70 Public Housing units in addition to administering
over 1,200 Housing Choice Vouchers for Fort Collins and Larimer County.The Larimer County
allocation of 100 of these vouchers,65 of which are targeted specifically to people with disabilities,is
administered through an intergovernmental agreement.Housing Catalyst administered over $12
million in Housing Assistance Payments (HAP)to local landlords on behalf of participating families in
2020.This amount includes funding for 152 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program vouchers.
HUD grades this program through its Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP).
Housing Catalyst was designated a High Performer and has utilized approximately 97%of its
authorized annual funding.
ii
Letter of Transmittal
2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Economic Condition and Outlook
Long-Term Planning and Major Commitments and Initiatives
Congressional housing legislation and the federal budget affect Housing Catalyst more than local
economic factors.Housing Catalyst's primary sources of funding are HUD,administrative
management fees and other grants.As with most housing authorities,much of Housing Catalyst's
operating and capital funding comes from federal dollars in the form of public housing operating
subsidies and capital fund grants and Housing Choice Voucher administrative fees and Housing
Assistance Payments.During the year ended December 31,2020,HUD and other federal agencies
provided over 74%of Housing Catalyst's operating revenue and approximately 70%of Housing
Catalyst's total revenues (including $1,011,004 in pass-through grant funding).
For the Housing Choice Voucher program,HUD provides housing authorities with a fixed annual
budget for Housing Assistance Payments (HAP)and for administration fees.Funding for the
Housing Choice Voucher program was prorated at 100%and 81%of eligibility for HAP and
administration fees,respectively.During the year ended December 31,2020,HUD also disbursed
CARES Act funding to housing authorities nationwide to assist with additional administrative costs
related to the preparation and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Housing Catalyst received a
total of $414,097 in funding for administrative costs of which $303,515 remains unspent at year-end
and will be spent during 2021.Housing Catalyst also received an additional $617,460 in HAP
funding to assist with rising costs.
For the Public Housing program,housing authorities receive operating subsidies in accordance with
an operating subsidy funding formula.In general,the calculated subsidy amount is the difference
between an estimate of operating costs minus an estimate of income from rents.Operating
subsidies are subject to annual appropriation by Congress.In 2020,Housing Catalyst,like all
housing authorities nationwide,was funded at 112%of eligibility in order to provide additional
funding from the CARES Act.Housing Catalyst was allocated a total of $42,362 and those funds are
still available for use during 2021.
Housing Catalyst supports the development and preservation of affordable housing throughout Fort
Collins,with funding from the City,State Division of Housing,Colorado Housing and Finance
Authority,equity investors,and lenders.Along with its partners,Housing Catalyst combines high
quality design with sustainable development principles and sound planning to develop and maintain
a vibrant and diverse affordable housing portfolio.Housing Catalyst employs many strategies to
create and preserve its stock of affordable housing.These strategies include new construction,
acquisition,rehabilitation and preservation of existing housing to create and maintain high-quality
sustainable units.
Fort Collins has an estimated population of 174,871 (2020).Median household income for Larimer
County is $67,200 and median family income is $95,900 (Colorado Housing and Finance Authority,
2021 Colorado County Income and Rent Tables).The rental market has tightened considerably in
the past years and rents continue to increase with recent vacancy rates as low as 1-3%.
iii
Letter of Transmittal
2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
PAB Authority
City of Fort Collins 48,219,578$
Larimer County 18,939,405
Weld County 16,165,035
State of Colorado 55,641,372
Other Counties 11,266,846
Total 150,232,236$
Projects have utilized or will utilize PAB authority as follows:
Bonds
PAB Authority Issued
Village on Plum 8,750,000$ 2014
Village on Redwood 12,000,000 2016
Village on Horsetooth 19,190,000 2017
Village on Shields 35,000,000 2017
Lakeview on the Rise 30,950,600 2018
Meadows Townhomes 6,500,000 2020
Future Projects 37,841,636 -
Total 150,232,236$
Between 2011 and 2013,Housing Catalyst analyzed options to dispose of or reposition the 154 units
of public housing operated by the organization.This analysis included both a disposition strategy
under Section 18 of the Housing Act of 1937 (Section 18)and the use of the opportunities available
under the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)Program.In late 2013 it was determined
that the best approach would be to reposition the entire portfolio of 154 public housing units using a
combination of disposition and conversion utilizing the HUD RAD program.In mid-2014,Housing
Catalyst submitted an application for a multi-phase development under the RAD program which
proposed to use proceeds from the disposition of the public housing portfolio in seven separate
projects.The seven projects were projected to result in the development,or renovation,of 665 units
of affordable housing within Fort Collins.
In 2019,after completing three projects under the RAD program,which resulted in the disposition of
84 of the 154 public housing units,a decision was made to once again pursue a disposition strategy
for the remaining 70 public housing units using the Section 18 criteria.The first three projects
resulted in the construction or preservation of 453 affordable housing units.The repositioning of the
remaining 70 public housing units is now expected to be completed over the next 2-3 years.Housing
Catalyst plans to utilize proceeds from the Section 18 disposition to renovate and preserve 26
existing units,known as Impala,which will also result in the construction of an additional 40 new
units. A separate renovation will preserve another 15 existing units located at 2155 Plum.
iv
Housing Catalyst began to accumulate the assignment of significant Private Activity Bond (PAB)
authority in 2013 for the purpose of rehabilitating,developing and refinancing affordable housing
units located in Fort Collins,Colorado.Through 2020,Housing Catalyst had secured the following
assignments:
Letter of Transmittal
2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Financial Information
In addition to other funding sources,projects that have used portions of the PAB authority include:
Village on Plum,a 95 unit rehabilitation project;Village on Redwood,a new-build project that
consists of 72 units of affordable housing;Village on Horsetooth,a new-build project of 96 affordable
units;Village on Shields,a 285 unit rehabilitation project;Lakeview on the Rise,a 180 affordable unit
new-build project with a private developer for which Housing Catalyst was the conduit issuer and
Meadows Townhomes,a 51 affordable unit new-build project with a private developer for which
Housing Catalyst was also the conduit issuer.
In early 2021,Housing Catalyst utilized $13.2 million of PAB authority as a conduit issuer for an 84-
unit rehabilitation project in partnership with CARE Housing,Inc.Housing Catalyst is the developer
on this project.
Housing Catalyst is expected to secure financing later in 2021 for a 79-unit new-build project located
in downtown Fort Collins that will include commercial space on the ground floor.This project is in
partnership with the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority.Housing Catalyst will be the
developer for the project and own and operate the 79 affordable units while the Downtown
Development Authority will own and operate the commercial space.The project will be financed
using 4%LIHTC’s,City of Fort Collins grant funds,loan from Housing Catalyst and use of PAB
authority accumulated by Housing Catalyst.Housing Catalyst intends to utilize its Standard &Poors'
credit rating enhanced by a general revenue pledge for the public bond offering.
Housing Catalyst expects to utilize additional PAB authority later in 2021 as a conduit issuer for an
84-unit new-build project with developer, Mercy Housing, Inc.
Management of Housing Catalyst is responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal control
structure designed to ensure that Housing Catalyst's assets are protected from loss,theft or misuse
and that adequate accounting data are compiled to allow for the preparation of financial statements
in conformity with GAAP.Housing Catalyst has designed its internal control structure to provide
reasonable,but not absolute,assurances that those objectives are met.The concept of reasonable
assurance recognizes that:(1)the costs of a control should not exceed the benefits likely to be
derived and (2)the valuation of costs and benefits requires estimates and judgment by
management.
As a recipient of federal awards,Housing Catalyst is responsible for ensuring that adequate internal
controls are in place to provide compliance with applicable laws,regulations,contracts and grants
related to those programs.Those internal controls are subject to periodic evaluation by
management, and their independent auditors.
As part of Housing Catalyst's single audit,tests are made to determine the adequacy of the internal
controls,including that portion related to federal award programs,as well as to learn whether
Housing Catalyst has complied with applicable laws,regulations,contracts and grants.Housing
Catalyst's single audit for the year ended December 31,2020 found no instances of material
weakness in internal control.Audit reports regarding this are included in this Annual Report in the
Single Audit Section.
v
Letter of Transmittal
2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Other Information - Awards
Acknowledgments
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Brewen
Chief Executive Officer
Tonya Frammolino
Chief Financial Officer
vi
Preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report on a timely basis was accomplished
through the dedicated service of the entire staff of the Finance and Accounting department.Each
member of the department has our sincere appreciation for the contributions made in the
preparation of this report. Our sincere appreciation is also extended to the management and staff of
Eide Bailly, LLP who provided necessary expertise and technical assistance.
In closing,without the leadership and support of the members of the Board of Commissioners,
preparation of this report would not have been possible.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA)awarded a
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Fort Collins Housing Authority
dba Housing Catalyst for its comprehensive annual financial report for the year ended December 31,
2019.This was the seventh consecutive year that Housing Catalyst has achieved this prestigious
award.In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement,a government must publish an easily
readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report.This report must satisfy
both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements.
A Certificate of Achievement is valid for a period of one year only.We believe that our current
comprehensive annual financial report continues to meet the Certificate of Achievement Program's
requirements, and we are submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another certificate.
vii
Housing Catalyst
Organizational Chart
December 31, 2020
viii
Housing Catalyst
List of Principal Officials
December 31, 2020
Board of Commissioners: Management:
Cathy Mathis Julie Brewen
Chairperson Chief Executive Director
Jennifer Wagner Michele Christensen
Vice-Chairperson Chief Operating Officer
David Bye Tonya Frammolino
Commissioner Chief Financial Officer
Emily Gorgol Kristin Fritz
Commissioner Chief Real Estate Officer
Ann Green
Resident Commissioner
Hep Wilkins
Commissioner
ix
Housing Catalyst
Fort Collins, Colorado
Financial Section:
Report of Independent Auditors
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Basic Financial Statements
Notes to Basic Financial Statements
Combining Financial Schedules
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1
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Board of Commissioners
Housing Catalyst
Fort Collins, Colorado
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the business‐type activities and the
aggregate discretely presented component units of the Housing Catalyst as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2020, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise
Housing Catalyst’s basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes
the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair
presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or
error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit. We
conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards,
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. The financial statements of the discretely
presented component units were not audited in accordance with Government Auditing Standards,
except for Mason Place, LLLP, which was audited in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s
preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that
are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the
effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of
significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of
the financial statements.