Introduction
Dana represents nonprofit and for-profit owners in acquiring, constructing, developing, and preserving multifamily affordable and supportive housing. She works on all aspects of complex financing transactions, including acquisitions, tax exemptions, joint ventures, regulatory matters, and debt and equity financing.
My focus
Tax Credit Transactions
I frequently represent developers in transactions involving federal low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) and tax-exempt bonds, as well as a variety of subordinate funding sources. In addition to negotiating the financing aspects of these deals, I help developers navigate and combine multiple regulatory schemes in a single transaction.
Joint Ventures
Affordable housing transactions involving partnerships between for-profit developers and not-for-profit developers and/or public agencies are on the rise. I work with my clients to attain their goals for sharing both decision-making authority and risk with their joint venture partners. In particular, I have negotiated joint venture agreements for supportive housing transactions, transactions involving the redevelopment of property owned by faith-based organizations, and transactions involving the rehabilitation of public housing owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.
FHA & HUD
My experience as a former attorney for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives me substantial knowledge and understanding of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) multifamily insurance programs. I often represent borrowers in closing loans insured by FHA. I also represent developers in securing regulatory approvals from HUD for financing transactions.
Looking ahead
As federal, state, and local entities continue to adjust to funding constraints, I look forward to working with clients in finding creative methods to finance affordable housing.
/Insights
- “New Construction (Part II) Analysis of Legal and Programmatic Best Practices,” Annual New York State Affordable Housing Conference, May 17, 2023 (Speaker)
- “Getting started: Assessing the market, working with your tax credit agency, and understanding the development process,” IPED’s Learn the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, Boston, MA, March 23, 2023
- “Preservation Transactions: Getting Your Deal Closed!” IRHP NYC Affordable Housing Preservation Symposium 2023, New York, NY, March 1, 2023
- “Affordable Housing Title Issues: Sticky Situations and How to Get Yourself Out of Them,” New York State Association of Affordable Housing Preconference, New York, NY, May 15, 2019 (Moderator)
- “Current Issues in Affordable Housing in New York City – The Ins & Outs of New York City Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Transactions”, New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, May 9, 2019 (Program Co-Chair)
- “Affordable Housing and Real Estate Update,” Long Island, New York, March 27, 2019 (Speaker)
- “Faith-Based Development Panel,” Enterprise and Kingdom Faith Developers Faith-Based Development Initiative, Bronx, New York, March 21, 2019 (Panel member)
- “The Rise of Faith Based Development” Panel, National Standard Abstract, Queens, New York, March 5, 2019 (Panel member)
- “Faith-Based Development Panel,” Enterprise and Kingdom Faith Developers Faith-Based Development Initiative, Staten Island, New York, November 28, 2018 (Panel member)
- “Joint Venture Workshop,” Enterprise and Kingdom Faith Developers Faith-Based Development Initiative, New York, NY, September 24, 2018 (Facilitator)
- “A Closer Look at FHA Financing” Housing Issues in Focus, New York, NY, July 11, 2018 (Panelist)
- “Faith-Based Development Panel,” Enterprise and Kingdom Faith Developers Faith-Based Development Initiative, Bronx, New York, April 24, 2018 (Panel member)
- “The Federal Overlay: New York City Transactions,” New York State Association of Affordable Housing Preconference, New York, NY, May 15, 2018 (Moderator)
- “The Latest Affordable Housing News: NY Supportive Housing Updates” Housing Issues in Focus, New York, NY, November 8, 2017 (Speaker)
- “Beyond Policy: Nuts & Bolts of Doing Business with HUD's Office of Multifamily Housing” Housing Issues in Focus, New York, NY, October 27, 2016 (Moderator)
- “What Borrowers Need to Know About FHA’s Revised MAP Guide,” Nixon Peabody webinar, June 15, 2016 (Speaker)
In the news
- New York Real Estate Journal
Developing Long Island: Wheatley Senior Residences
This article covers the Wheatley Senior Residences development, which will provide 24 units for formerly homeless individuals, including seniors and veterans. NP is mentioned in the coverage for representing Brisa Builders Development LLC in the project. The NP team is led by Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Dana Roper.April 30, 2024 - 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.
- Affordable Housing Finance
People on the Move
This roundup of personnel moves in the affordable housing space highlights the promotions of Los Angeles Community Development partner Sonia Nayak, Washington, DC, Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Dara Newman Histed, and New York City Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Dana Roper, all of whom officially joined the NP partnership this month.Feb 10, 2020 - The Deal
Movers & Shakers
This column of notable executive moves in the legal industry included a write-up on the promotion of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper, and Peter Trimarchi.Feb 4, 2020 - Reuters Legal
Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move
This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry highlights the 13 members of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper and Peter Trimarchi.Feb 3, 2020 - Long Island Business News
Medford nonprofit, Jericho developer open housing for vets
This story highlights Nixon Peabody’s work on a deal to open a 135-unit supportive and affordable housing development for homeless veterans and low-income families in Brooklyn. Partner Aaron Yowell, partner-elect Dana Roper, and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Group in New York City, were part of the deal team. Aaron is quoted in the article.Nov 21, 2019
Admitted to practice
New York
District of Columbia
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D.
Howard University, B.B.A.
Insights And Happenings
View AllPress Release
Nixon Peabody announces its 2020 partner class
Professionals in the Practice Area
View AllAaron J. Yowell
Partner / Chief Innovation Officer- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3161
- ayowell@nixonpeabody.com
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