FAQs: AHIC's New Affiliate Membership Program 

1. Why is AHIC creating an Affiliate Membership category? 

This strategic initiative addresses two key industry realities: 
- Industry consolidation has reduced the pool of eligible investor member
- The traditional lines between investors and syndicators have become increasingly fluid

By creating this new membership category, we're strengthening AHIC's long-term sustainability while enhancing our ability to serve our investor members.

2. How does the Affiliate Membership program benefit AHIC and its members?

        The program will:

• Strengthen AHIC’s financial health: By expanding our membership, we can maintain and grow the high-quality programs and services that members value.
• Foster collaboration: Affiliate members bring new perspectives and expertise that will lead to more meaningful collaboration within the industry.
• Enhance industry influence: A broader network will allow AHIC to shape industry practices and policies more effectively.
• Protect investor spaces: The new employee categorization ensures that investor-only events remain focused on true investors.
  
  

3.    What types of firms will be eligible for Affiliate Membership?  

We are taking a measured approach, focusing on organizations that work closely with investors in the LIHTC space. Eligible organizations will include Syndicators and Housing Tax Credit Brokers.

4.    Will the Affiliate Membership program dilute AHIC’s focus on investors?

 Absolutely not. Investors will remain at the center of AHIC’s mission. In fact, this change is designed to strengthen AHIC’s value proposition by: 

• Preserving dedicated investor-only events and spaces and ensuring they are indeed investor-only through the new employee categorization process.
• Ensuring long-term financial stability
• Creating the resources necessary to invest in education and training programs the members identified as priorities in the recent membership survey.
• Increasing our industry influence and creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration. 
  
  

5.    What is the employee categorization system, and why is it necessary?

The categorization only affects firms that operate both investment and syndication businesses. For those firms, their employees will be categorized based on their role in the firm. 

• Investor Firm employees focused on direct investment activity will remain Investor Representatives. 
• Investor Firm employees who raise capital from other firms for brokerage or syndication purposes will be designated as Affiliate Representatives
• Employees of Affiliate Members will be designated as Affiliate Representatives

This system helps ensure the integrity of investor-only spaces and creates consistency in how we treat syndication activities across all firms. 

6.    What are the key differences between Investor and Affiliate member benefits? 

Investor Representatives: Have exclusive access to investor-only events, including the Spring Meeting and most Third Thursday webinars. Have full voting rights, can serve on all committees and can hold leadership roles, including committee chairs, Officers and Governors. 

Affiliate Representatives: Will have access to selected events, such as the Fall Summit and some webinars and may participate in some committees as non-voting members, but will not have voting rights and cannot serve in leadership roles. Their participation will be focused on structured, mutually beneficial collaborations.

7.    Can Affiliate Representatives participate in all AHIC events?

        No, Certain events will remain investor-only, including: 

• The Spring Meeting
• Most Third Thursday events
• Most Committees and Working Groups. Affiliates will be able to participate as non-voting members of the Program and Membership Committees. 
  
  

8.    How will this affect guest registrations for the Fall Summit? 

The current guest registration system will be replaced by the Affiliate Membership program for the Fall Summit. Syndicators and brokers will need to join as Affiliate Members to participate. Limitations on the number of people an Affiliate Member can send to the Fall Summit will be retained. 

9.    When will this change take effect? 

We will begin categorizing employees of our Investor Members in November in conjunction with the rollout of our new membership database and website. The Affiliate Membership will launch in March 2025. We are using the intervening time to finalize implementation details and ensure a smooth transition. 

10.    How will AHIC ensure the program’s success?

 We will: 

• Routinely gather feedback from members
• Monitor participation and engagement metrics
• Make adjustments as needed to ensure AHIC is still serving its core mission
• Maintain an open communication with the membership.
  
  

11.    How can members provide input on the program?

          We encourage member input through: 

• Direct communication with AHIC leadership
• Regular feedback opportunities throughout implementation