Clients rely on Leigh's counsel to guide them through the complex issues that arise in the financing, development, and operation of affordable multifamily housing.
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A former general counsel for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Leigh concentrates her practice on multifamily affordable housing preservation and development as well as the administrative, regulatory, litigation, and general corporate matters that arise in connection with these projects. Her clients throughout the U.S. include developers, public housing authorities, nonprofits, for-profit owners, and other recipients of HUD funds.
A major portion of Leigh's practice includes assisting clients with the financing, development, and operation of affordable multifamily projects to ensure the long-term preservation of the project and to increase value for ownership. Leigh accomplishes this by utilizing a variety of funding sources such as Section 8 rent increases, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, state housing finance agency loan funds, HOME and CDBG funds, HUD-insured loans, and conventional financing. Leigh has extensive experience obtaining approvals from HUD for the assignment of Section 8 contracts, the transfer of FHA-insured loans, the "porting" or 8(bb) transfers of HAP contracts, and the decoupling of Section 236 Interest Reduction Payments. Leigh has also closed numerous conversions of assistance under HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, including those involving public housing, RAP, Rent Supp, Mod Rehab, and PRAC-assisted projects.
Leigh also advises clients on statutory and regulatory issues, including compliance with the tenant-based and project-based housing choice voucher programs, RAD, the Uniform Relocation Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and fiscal appropriations. She regularly represents owners renewing and restructuring their PBRA contracts, including in mark-to-market restructuring transactions, as well as in the acquisition and sale of residential apartment complexes receiving various subsidies from HUD and/ or Rural Housing. She also counsels clients on dispute resolution and litigation relating to government procurement processes and policies.
Leigh also has experience advising and defending clients in fair housing investigations and reviews (both FHEO and state agency investigations), HUD debarment actions, Office of Inspector General audits and investigations, and Labor Relations audits and reviews (particularly as it relates to Davis-Bacon compliance). Leigh started her career as a litigator and has argued numerous statutory appeals as well as cases in state and federal court, including Section 1983 claims. Additionally, she counsels clients on dispute resolution and litigation relating to government procurement processes and policies.
Representative matters may include engagements before joining Troutman Pepper.