Sorry I'm late to the party, some good posts above, Go to your local P&Z office, they can answer all the questions you have but they don't get into financing generally. Vouchers, if you mean Section 8, ask the local Public Housing Authority as different areas have different rates when initially qualifying. Saying "special needs" is a very broadly defined population to serve, I suggest you narrow down the specific population you want to serve and then research very carefully the following areas: What is the public perception of that population? IE, drug rehab, inmate half way houses, mentally ill, healthy elderly, domestic intervention housing for women with children, veterans, or housing for retired nuns. Public perception drives local political views, if any zoning is required you're getting into politics. Identify who may be opposed to your plans, how can they stop you and how will you play the game to make them ineffective or reduce their influence. This includes other non-profits that may serve your population, you are getting on their turf and money for non-profits requires them to serve that population...... you're cutting into their bank account! Government generally likes new facilities rather than rehabbed single family dwellings, depends on the tenant concentration. Is there a real need in the community, a needs analysis needs to be done. Will you or can you simply serve an existing non-profit, like Council of the Blind, if so, simply lease to them or individually with a lease guarantee, keep it simple. If I were doing a conversion I would ask P&Z about a R-1 SFD being converted to multi-family, a 5 plex and leave it at that, P&Z isn't discriminator about who leases, but if there medical issues or security concerns about a certain population then you may have other ordinances, other restrictions can then be applied. Consider too historic preservation requirements with old homes, that place may not be converted with historic lovers in play. With non-profits need to know those "do-gooders" are really in business, not to make a company profit, but to pay salaries, bills and expand their their operations, just like any for profit company. While some may have good intentions, they are very careful about their turf and getting paid. :)

@Thomas Hickey I don't know for sure but I'd imagine they did. Norwood is pretty particular with their zoning and "special uses". In any town it helps to know somebody who can help get your approval through.

@Thomas Hickey Because I'm getting paid automatically and I don't have to show the property, screen tenants, etc. I basically manage repairs. Some of the companies have maintenance people on staff but most do not. They handle little things and let me know when a furnace quits or other things like that. I don't do any of the repairs myself with a few exceptions. A PM would be a waste of money but I do use a PM for the few houses I rent to John Q. Public.

@Thomas Hickey Precisely! I'd prefer not to share their information publicly so I'll PM you.

@Thomas Hickey Here's what I do.... I contact the companies that provide "community based living services" for the individuals with special needs. We discuss what they need ie. near a bus line, how many bedrooms, rent, etc. then I find a couple that I like and have the company representatives walk through it, maybe the individuals too or their guardians. If everyone likes it, I buy it, they move in and stay forever. In my town, 5 or fewer unrelated individuals living in a house is just a $30 fee annually and a house inspection every 3 years, no special permitting or requirements like sprinklers, etc. If the individuals are on Section 8, I have that money go to the company, not me, I get paid electronically by the company.... rinse and repeat....

Hi @Thomas Hickey my investors purchase property and I connect them with the agency. Usually 3/1 SFR's. Only thing needed from the agency is a renal permit and a certificate of occupancy. Of course the agency will inspect the property but it's nothing extensive.

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Updated almost 8 years ago on 04/12/2017. Most recent reply

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Posts: 91
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Thomas HickeyPoster

Real Estate Investor
Peabody, MA

Buying & Selling Real Estate

Special needs house?

Thomas HickeyPoster

Real Estate Investor
Peabody, MA

Posted April 06, 2017 04:44

Hi All, I'm researching buying a large 4-5 bedroom house in the suburbs of Boston and converting to light special needs housing. A few questions? -does the property need to be zoned commercial? - does the town need to approve of my plan? Or does the fact that it is special needs override local town? Kind of like 40B - would I need to add sprinklers, fire control panel and hard wired smokes for said property? - what government agency would I contact to see how much I would be paid through vouchers? Trying to see if it makes sense, thanks for any input Bill Gulley Tom

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