direct phone: (202) 349 2440 direct fax: (202) 349 2441 email: jalpha@renocavanaugh.com	Hometown: Allentown, PA   Education: University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.   University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, M.P.A./Certificate in Non-Profit Management   University of Pittsburgh, B.A. in English and Political Science, summa cum laude   Bar Admissions: District of Columbia bar Pennsylvania bar
Jennifer Alpha focuses her practice on managing, negotiating and closing complex mixed finance transactions that combine HOPE VI or other public housing funds with federal and state low income housing tax credits, FHA-insured loans, Federal Home Loan Bank funds, HOME funds, CDBG funds, tax increment financing and other public and private sources of development funds. Jennifer works closely with the receiver of a large public housing authority in structuring both the legal and procedural relationship between the authority and the receiver, as well as closing transactions that are a part of the complete redevelopment of the authority’s public housing stock. Jennifer also works with housing authorities across the country in closing mixed finance transactions and providing general HUD regulatory advice on issues including procurement, acquisition, operating subsidy only programs and use of project-based Section 8 in mixed finance developments.    Selected Recent Transactions Worked with HUD on behalf of the receiver of a large public housing authority to develop a streamlined approach for reviewing and managing high volume evidentiary submissions to facilitate and expedite the closing of multiple phases across more than ten public housing sites. Assisted in developing a regulatory agreement and ACC Amendment for presentation to HUD for an innovative program that uses public housing operating subsidies to support individual units in buildings owned by private individuals, governmental entities and for- and non-profit entities. Closed a 184-unit rental development that is the first phase of the overall redevelopment of four public housing sites that will include up to 2,441 rental and homeownership units. This mixed income residential development involved careful legal and planning considerations to provide for over 9,000 square feet of retail and mixed-use space. This deal involved the negotiation of multiple ground leases, easement agreements, retail sale agreements and complex financing. Closed a 162-unit rental development as part of the redevelopment of three public housing sites. The transaction included complex financing from a variety of sources, including a construction loan, a permanent loan for which Fannie Mae issued a mortgage-backed security subsequently purchased by a third-party investor, a loan of HOME funds from the city, an Affordable Housing Program Loan from the Federal Home Loan Bank, tax increment financing and tax credits from the city and state housing finance agencies. The number of parties involved and the Firm’s lead role in managing communications with HUD required thoughtful negotiation and coordination with all of the lenders and HUD to ensure a smooth closing. Major Prior Work Experience   Prior to joining Reno & Cavanaugh in 2001, Jennifer worked on housing and community development issues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Through the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Jennifer assisted the Allegheny County Housing Authority in considering the legal and policy issues of implementing a court-ordered public housing desegregation decree. Jennifer also worked on landlord tenant issues at the Neighborhood Legal Services Association, assisted the Wilkinsburg Intra-Community Network with various community development issues, and assisted in the creation of a Global Non-Profit Law Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Governor’s Office of General Counsel, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg PA, 2000, Intern for Department of Environmental Protection and Department of State Allegheny County Housing Authority, 1999-2000, Graduate Student Consultant Judge Timothy K. Lewis, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 1999, Intern Neighborhood Legal Services Association, 1999 Awards, Community and Professional Activities Member, American Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar Association, and Pennsylvania Bar Association Member, ABA Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development and ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Public Legal Income Sharing Foundation Fellowship, 1999 University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Faculty Award for Public Management and Policy, 1999 University of Pittsburgh, Female College Memorial Scholarship, 1995