Introduction
Meghan Altidor represents nonprofit and for-profit developers in acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating and operating affordable housing developments around the country. Ms. Altidor frequently speaks about housing issues at national conferences such as IPED, IRHP, and NYSAFAH.
Meghan has been lead counsel on an extensive number of notable public housing partnership transactions on behalf of developers, nonprofits, equity participants, and housing authorities, including most recently successful closings on over 10,500 units through the New York City PACT Program.
My focus
Bond/Tax Credit Transactions
I focus on complex financings of affordable housing developments that include tax-exempt bonds, low-income housing tax credits and often other federal, state and local government subsidies. My typical deal is representing the purchaser and borrower to finance a development with multiple interconnected layers of financing, but I also represent lenders, investors, housing authorities and clients disposing of affordable housing assets. My practice covers all aspects of development from dirt real estate to securing regulatory approvals such as HUD RAD conversion approvals and nonprofit asset transfer approvals. Recognizing that the planning of complex transactions often involves significant time commitments and financial risks, I enjoy working with clients to mitigate or reduce the risk of unpredictable legal costs and budgeting inaccuracies.
Joint Ventures
Affordable housing deals often involve partnerships, and I help my clients navigate public-private partnerships and joint ventures between nonprofit and for-profit firms. Some examples of this practice include structuring tax exemption eligibility and negotiating tax credit and debt guaranty obligations among partners in affordable housing transactions.
Community Involvement
From my training as an urban planner to my first legal work representing a tenant association to secure its rights under the DC Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, I have committed my career to thinking about how affordable housing can transform the lives of those who live in it. I am particularly interested in legal issues nonprofits face, supportive housing models and various efforts to rethink public housing, such as the RAD program. I am active with several affordable housing boards and advisory groups and am an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
Hotel Conversion and Shelters
Since the start of the pandemic, I am focusing more and more on the conversion of hotels to affordable housing and shelter development and financing. Many states and cities are creating innovative financing programs to capitalize on opportunities to transform distressed hotel assets into affordable housing resources. Likewise, the demand for transitional housing solutions means that we are joining our clients in increasing our focus on developing shelters for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
/Insights
- “New York State Preservation Panel,” IRHP NYC Affordable Housing Symposium, January 14, 2025
- “Washington Update,” New York Housing Conferences 51st Annual Awards Program, New York, NY, December 12, 2024
- “Challenges and Opportunities for Preserving Affordability,” Preservation Webinar Series, Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, July 25, 2024
- “Re-envisioning Public Housing,” Annual Upstate New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 15, 2024
- “Portfolio Assessment and Strategies: Evaluating the Market for Property Dispositions at Year 15,” IPED's Tax Credit Property Dispositions, Los Angeles, CA, February 29, 2024
- “NYCHA Public Housing & PACT Transactions,” Annual New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 17, 2023 (Speaker)
- “Preservation Transactions: Getting Your Deal Closed!” IRHP NYC Affordable Housing Preservation Symposium 2023, New York, NY, March 1, 2023
- “Track B | Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program Basics,” 2022 Forum on Affordable Housing Fall Boot Camp, October 13, 2022
- “Public Housing in Year 15,” IPED’s 2022 Tax Credit Property Dispositions Conference, Philadelphia, PA, July 29, 2022
- “Financing Public Housing Redevelopment with Historic Tax Credits,” IPED’s Historic Tax Credit Summit, Washington, DC, June 17, 2022
- “NYCHA PACT Transactions,” NYSAFAH's 2022 Annual New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 18, 2022 (Speaker)
- “Connecting Public + Private for Affordable Housing Event,” JPMorgan Chase & Co. Headquarters, New York, NY, 4/14/2022 (Speaker)
- “Making Development Work for the Community and the House of Worship,” Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative Summit, 11/18/2021 (Speaker)
- “Hotel Conversion Opportunities,” Affordable Housing Webinar, 8/19/2021 (Speaker)
- “Affordable Housing Industry Update,” Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and Nixon Peabody, 11/5/2020 (Speaker)
- “Preservation Transactions: Getting Your Deal Closed!” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation: Affordable Housing Preservation Symposium, New York, NY, 1/22/20 (Moderator)
- “Preservation of 202 Properties Through HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program Webinar,” Catholic Charities USA, 12/19/19 (Speaker)
- “Tax and Zoning Policies Around New York,” NYSAFAH, Rochester, NY, 9/25/2019 (Speaker)
- “Joint Venture Training for CBOs and CDCs at NYCHA PACT Sites,” Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., New York, NY, 7/11/2019 (Speaker)
- “Holistic Development in Overlooked Areas,” Bisnow DC Metro Affordable Housing Summit, Washington, DC, 3/20/2019 (Speaker)
- “A Closer Look at RAD,” Housing Issues in Focus, New York, NY, 2/6/19 (Speaker)
- “Portfolio Assessment and Strategies: Developer Perspective,” IPED Conference: Tax Credit Property Dispositions, Los Angeles, CA, 11/1/18 (Moderator)
- “Let’s Talk about RAD: CHAP to RCC,” Albany, NY, 9/26/18 (Moderator)
- “Creatives Resources for Affordable Housing: RAD for PRACs,” Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering, Buffalo, New York, 9/12/18 (Speaker)
- “Faith-Based Development Panel,” Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative, Washington, DC, 6/28/2018 (Panel member)
- “HUD PRACs, RAD and more Webinar,” Catholic Charities USA, Webinar, 6/14/2018 (Panel member)
- “The Federal Overlay: New York City Transactions,” New York State Association of Affordable Housing, New York, NY, 5/15/2018 (Panel member)
- “Spotlight on New York City and State Supportive Housing Financing,” Housing Issues in Focus, New York, NY, 4/5/2018 (Moderator)
- “Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Strategies,” NH&RA Annual Meeting, Palm Beach, FL, 2/22/2018 (Panel member)
- “Mixed Use Development: Rethinking Our Commitment to Community Development,” Hand Mixed-Use Forum, Washington, DC, 2/8/2018 (Moderator)
- “NY Supportive Housing Updates: the ESSHI Program,” Housing Issues in Focus, New York, NY, 11/8/2017 (Speaker)
- “Assess Your Rights and Duties at Year 15,” IPED Conference: Tax Credit Property Dispositions, Boston, MA, 10/12/2017 (Speaker)
- “Building Housing with Big Impact,” Upstate New York State Association for Affordable Housing Conference, Buffalo, NY, 9/27/2017 (Moderator)
- “Closing Basics: Handling a Closing with Skill and Efficiency,” American Bar Association Affordable Housing Forum, Washington, DC, 5/25/2017 (Speaker)
- “Preservation Case Study Panel on RAD,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, Chicago, IL, 5/16/2017 (Moderator)
- “Navigating City Approvals: Tax Exemptions and Deed Restrictions,” New York State Association for Affordable Housing, New York, NY, 5/9/2017 (Moderator)
- “RAD: A New Strategy for Public Housing,” New York City Bar Association, New York, NY, 5/4/2017 (Moderator)
- “Affordable Housing Development in DC,” Bisnow DC Region Affordable Housing Conference, Washington, DC, 2/9/2017 (Speaker)
- “New York Update,” Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, New York, NY, 1/18/2017 (Speaker)
- “Affordable Housing Panel,” Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference, Washington, DC, 10/20/2016 (Speaker)
- “RAD Update,” CohnReznick Affordable Housing Forum, Philadelphia, PA, 9/21/2016 (Speaker)
- “Portfolio Assessment and Strategies: Evaluating the Market for Property Dispositions at Year 15 and Earlier -Developer Perspective,” IPED Conference: Tax Credit Property Dispositions, Chicago, IL, 9/15/2016 (Moderator)
- “Assess Your Rights and Duties at Year 15,” IPED Conference: Tax Credit Property Dispositions, Chicago, IL, 9/15/2016 (Speaker)
- “The Emerging Landscape: The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program,” HAND Affordable Housing Opportunities at the Federal Level, Washington, DC, 9/8/2016 (Moderator)
- “The Emerging Preservation Landscape: The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program,” IPED Conference: Transforming Communities with Affordable Housing, Cleveland, OH, 6/30/2016 (Speaker)
- “Winning an RFP,” New York State Association for Affordable Housing, New York, NY, 5/10/2016 (Moderator)
- “The Future of Affordable Housing in NYC,” New York City Bar Association, New York, NY, 5/5/2016 (Speaker)
- “RAD for PRACs,” Leading Age, Syracuse, NY, 4/13/2016 (Speaker)
- “Non-Profit Issues,” Nixon Peabody, Rochester, NY, 4/6/2016 (Speaker)
- “RAD Seminar,” New York Housing Conference, New York, NY, 7/14/2015 (Moderator)
In the news
- Law360
Four firms guide $445 million deal to renovate Harlem public housing
Jan 13, 2025This article covers a $445 million financing deal for the renovation and revitalization of the New York City Housing Authority’s Manhattanville Houses residential complexes. Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Meghan Altidor of New York City and Susanna Mitchell of Washington, DC are mentioned in the coverage for representing borrower Manhattanville Owner LLC in this transformative affordable housing deal.
- Law360
New York City real estate week in review
Jan 13, 2025This article highlights firms that guided the largest recent New York City real estate deals in public records. New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor is mentioned in the coverage for representing the buyer in a roughly $22.4 million commercial property transaction on Coyle Street in Brooklyn that closed in December.
- Law360
Two firms advise nonprofit’s $124 million in housing site buy
Jan 7, 2025This article covers client Westhab’s acquisition and financing of a Brooklyn commercial property that will be rezoned for a 120-unit housing development with 30 units restricted as affordable. New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor is mentioned in the coverage for advising Westhab on the related financing. The NP team also included partners Aaron Yowell of New York City and Darren Miller of Rochester, and New York City counsel Abby Patterson and associate Erica Thompson, all of the AHRE practice.
- New York Real Estate Journal
Merchants Capital provides $348M in Fannie Mae financing for rehabilitation of 87 Brooklyn NYCHA properties
Feb 15, 2024This article, which covers developers securing $348 million in financing to rehab 87 New York City Housing Authority buildings in Brooklyn, mentions NP as one of the organizations that advised on the transaction—representing a developer joint venture of BRP Companies, Fairstead, and Urbane. The NP team was led by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor, and included Strategic Policy Advisor and AHRE deputy practice leader Deborah VanAmerongen, partners Dana Roper of Washington, DC and Darren Miller of Rochester, Rochester counsel Jennifer Berrios, New York City associates Jeremy Busch and Avery Ryou, and New York City senior paralegal Pam Villacis and paralegal Brian Murphy, all of the AHRE practice.
- New York Real Estate Journal
Merchants Capital provides $225 million for rehabilitation of seven affordable housing properties in Bronx
Dec 12, 2023This article covers Merchants Capital providing more than $225 million in financing to support the New York City Housing Authority’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) Union Avenue Consolidated project in the Bronx, which involves the refinancing and rehabilitation of seven properties. The article mentions NP for advising on the deal. The NP team included New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Meghan Altidor and Joe Lynch, and Los Angeles Strategic Policy Advisor and AHRE deputy practice leader Deborah VanAmerongen.
- New York Real Estate Journal
Virgin Islands Housing Authority and MDG Design + Construction celebrate completion of phase one of $116.7 million preservation of affordable housing development
Oct 17, 2023This article, which covers the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and MDG Design + Construction (MDG) completing a first phase of affordable housing renovation at Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion in St. Croix, mentions NP for serving as legal counsel to MDG. The NP team was led by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor and included AHRE deputy practice leader and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen of Los Angeles, and New York City AHRE partner Kathie Soroka and associate Alexandra Hohauser.
- Law360
Early blueprints emerge for healthcare’s role in housing
July 14, 2023New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor is quoted in this article on how health insurers and hospital systems are forging coalitions with affordable housing developers to create housing that benefits patient outcomes and also results in lower healthcare costs. Meghan discusses the difficulty of finding affordable land in New York that can be developed into housing, and the regulatory hurdles new players face when trying to enter into affordable housing development.
- New York Real Estate Journal
WinnCompanies secures funding for $137 million rehabilitation of 508-unit Pines of Perinton housing community
May 16, 2023This article on WinnCompanies securing funding for the rehabilitation of the Pines of Perinton complex in the Rochester area mentions NP for advising WinnCompanies on issues related to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York State regulatory compliance, federal and state housing and historic tax credits, and financing and environmental issues. The NP deal team was led by Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Steve Wallace of Washington, DC and Meghan Altidor of New York City. The team also included Boston Community Development Finance partner John Cornell, and from the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice: Washington, DC partner Nate Cushman, Albany counsel Dana Stanton, New York City associate Michelle Cafarelli Kabat, Albany associate Kelly Sprague, Washington, DC senior paralegal Christine Brosonski, New York City paralegals Brian Murphy and Olivia Logan, and New York City law clerk Jeremy Busch.
- Rochester Business Journal
Pines of Perinton to undergo $137 million renovation
April 14, 2023This article on WinnCompanies securing funding for the rehabilitation of the Pines of Perinton complex in the Rochester area, mentions NP for advising WinnCompanies on issues related to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York State regulatory compliance, federal and state housing and historic tax credits, and financing and environmental issues. The NP deal team was led by Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Steve Wallace of Washington, DC and Meghan Altidor of New York City. The team also included Boston Community Development Finance partner John Cornell, and from the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice: Washington, DC partner Nate Cushman, Albany counsel Dana Stanton, New York City associate Michelle Cafarelli Kabat, Albany associate Kelly Sprague, Washington, DC senior paralegal Christine Brosonski, New York City paralegals Brian Murphy and Olivia Logan, and New York City law clerk Jeremy Busch.
- Real Estate Weekly
WinnCompanies secures funding for $137M rehab of the historic Pines of Perinton affordable housing complex
April 12, 2023This article, which covers WinnCompanies securing funding for the rehabilitation of the Pines of Perinton complex in the Rochester area, mentions NP for advising WinnCompanies on issues related to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York State regulatory compliance, federal and state housing and historic tax credits, and financing and environmental issues. The NP deal team was led by Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Steve Wallace of Washington, DC and Meghan Altidor of New York City. The team also included Boston Community Development Finance partner John Cornell, and from the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice: Washington, DC partner Nate Cushman, Albany counsel Dana Stanton, New York City associate Michelle Cafarelli Kabat, Albany associate Kelly Sprague, Washington, DC senior paralegal Christine Brosonski, New York City paralegals Brian Murphy and Olivia Logan, and New York City law clerk Jeremy Busch.
- Law360
Affordable housing attorneys see high demand for services
This article covering the growth of affordable housing practice areas and high demand for related legal services quotes New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor on the high level of attorney recruiting in the current environment. Meghan also explains how legislation, policy changes, and funding can entice law firms to get involved in affordable housing. Notably, the article refers to NP as an affordable housing “practice area heavyweight.”June 29, 2022 - Tax Credit Advisor
States look to convert hotels, motels, and commercial properties for shelter and permanent low-income housing
This article, on states that have passed legislation to help fund the conversion of existing commercial properties into affordable housing, quotes New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor on how New York’s program, the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA), is generating a lot of interest from nonprofit entities. Meghan also provides industry perspective on the types of buildings that are ripe for conversion.Dec 1, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab
New York May Miss the Window to Convert Hotels to Affordable Housing
In this article, New York City Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Meghan Altidor discusses how California and New York are turning hotels into housing.July 1, 2021 - Multi-Housing News
JV Completes $53M Redevelopment of Bronx Senior Community
This article on Fort Schuyler House, a 138-unit affordable senior housing community in the Bronx, mentions NP for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Joe Lynch and Meghan Altidor, and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen representing the developer in the deal.Aug 6, 2020 - Bisnow
D.C. Opportunity Zone Developer Closes Financing, To Break Ground Soon On 191 Apartments
This article, which mentions NP for representing the developer in the transaction, covers a $50 million financing deal that enables construction of a new 191-unit residential building in Northeast Washington, D.C. The deal team included Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, New York City partner Meghan Altidor, and Boston associate Alexander Rosso, all of the Affordable Housing and Real Estate group.April 24, 2020 - Bisnow
Multifamily finance experts: No national bubble, but concern about some markets
Washington DC Affordable Housing partner Meghan Altidor participated in an affordable housing trends panel discussion at Bisnow's Multifamily Annual Conference. She was quoted in this article noting new players such as those in the private equity space who are now getting involved in a number of affordable housing deals.Oct 21, 2016 - HousingOnline Weekly
Two Nixon Peabody Affordable Housing Attorneys Join Partnership
This article from the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association highlights Affordable Housing partners Meghan Altidor and Aaron Yowell for their election to the partnership.Feb 3, 2016
Admitted to practice
New York
District of Columbia
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, M.A., Urban Studies and Planning
Georgetown University, B.S., magna cum laude
Professional activities
Meghan is on the board of the DC-based organization Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) and is also on the board of Project FIND, a NYC-based nonprofit housing operator and service provider. Meghan is on the Board of Directors for the New York Housing conference (NYHC). She was a founding board member of the New York Housing Conference Young Leadership Council (2009–2016) and a former board member of the New York City Women in Housing and Finance, Inc. (2008–2012). Meghan is a member of the New York State and New York City bar associations, and the American Bar Association Forum on Affordable Housing and is pro bono counsel to a number of housing nonprofit boards. Meghan taught an affordable housing law course at Georgetown University Law Center as an adjunct professor.
Recognition
In 2017, Meghan was recognized by Bisnow as a woman of influence in commercial real estate for the DC region.
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllAaron J. Yowell
Partner / Chief Innovation Officer- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3161
- ayowell@nixonpeabody.com
-
Deborah VanAmerongen
Strategic Policy Advisor / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Affordable Housing & Real Estate- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3054
- dvanamerongen@nixonpeabody.com
-
