List items for 2027 9% Application Q&A
Updated 11/13/2026
2.1 Tax Credit Reservation Schedule
The timing for the 2027 9% Round is laid out in Section 2 of the Second Amended 2026-27 9% QAP.
3.2.A - Qualifying Entity
No. The Qualifying Entity – 2026-2027 QAP 3.2A. 1 & 2 provides for the requirements on at least 50% of the Developer fee if the Qualifying Entity is the Developer or at least 50% ownership of the GP/MM of the Ownership Entity. This requirement applies separate from any scoring category.
3.4.D - Detrimental Site Characteristics
Q: We are looking at a site currently on the edge of a 100-year floodplain. I understand IFA strictly prohibits this, but would IFA accept an application showing we will complete the necessary site work to build out of the flood zone? Or would the work have to be completed prior to application?
A: Per the 2026-27 Second Amended 9% QAP Section 3.4.D.5, IFA does not allow any sites located within a 100-year flood zone.
Section 5 - Basis Boost
Q: Could a project in a Rural County that includes the 20% single family, TH/RH, or duplex units qualify for a 30% boost in credits?
A: Yes. Nothing in the 2026-2027 Second Amended QAP prevents the use of 5.2 Rural County and 5.4 Single Family, Townhome/Rowhouse, or Duplex to be used together; however, the boost is restricted to 30% maximum.
A project in a rural county could qualify for other basis boost categories as well in combination with 5.2 (Rural County) to reach the maximum 30% increase in basis boost.
6.3 - Site Appeal
Q: If a site has a detrimental site characteristic at the time of application, but that site characteristic is planned to be remediated by the time the project would be placed-in-service, would IFA take future development plans into account for scoring?
A: No.
6.4.A - Tax Credit Experience
Q: If an entity that meets the requirements of 6.4.A is added to the Qualified Development Team, can this entity act in any capacity on the Qualified Development Team or must they be in a specific role?
A: The entity would have to be a Co-Developer of this project and receive 50% of the Developer Fee since points are requested. This entity would need to have been the Developer or affiliate that was a GP/MM of the project’s ownership entity for which the 8609’s were issued.
6.4.C - Closing Timeframe
Q: If your project closed in May of 2023 which qualified your entity in 2026, you would still qualify for these points in 2027 correct?
A: QAP Section 6.4 C. – Closing Timeframe states - the Developer or GP/MM, or affiliates thereof, of this Project, shall have closed one 9% Tax Credit Project in such role since January 1, 2024, for the 2027 Round with their Syndicator/Direct Investor within 10 months of the issuance of the Award Letter. (Meaning January 1, 2024, forward)
Since a May 2023 closing is prior to January 1, 2024, this closing would not qualify for 2 points under this scoring category.
IFA does not maintain such a list. Applicants are able to review the 2026 9% Scoring Breakdown available on the Housing Tax Credits Resources webpage to show who received those points in the 2026 round.
14.5 - Minimum Development Characteristics - New Construction and Adaptive Reuse
The calculation includes the interior walls; the current QAP says that the Unit net square footage is measured face of wall to face of wall of the unit’s perimeter walls in Section 14.5.B.1.
For the windows, each Unit needs to have at least one operable window per bedroom for either ventilation OR emergency escape and rescue. The windows do not need to be designed for emergency egress if emergency egress is unnecessary per code standards, they just need to be operable below the fourth floor of the building to provide additional ventilation to the room.
14.5.B - Unit Size
Even if all units in the project are not using LIHTC funds, Section 14.5.B.1 is clear that in new construction and adaptive reuse projects, all Units (not just tax credit Units) must at least be a one bedroom. IFA defines Unit in the QAP Glossary of Terms as “A room or a group of related rooms designed for use as a dwelling for which rent is paid. A Unit contains sleeping accommodations, a kitchen, and a bathroom.”
Appendix E - Underserved Cities
Q: If a project returns a full tax credit award, will a city that received an award in the past two years remain on Appendix E or would they be considered underserved?
A: For IFA’s Appendix E, cities will not be listed as Underserved if a Project located in that city received an award of Tax Credits within the applicable timeframe but later returned the entire Tax Credit award.
Appendix Q - Thriving Communities
Q: Sioux Center is listed on Appendix Q for Thriving Communities points but was not included in press releases for 2027. Is Sioux Center eligible as a thriving community for the 2027 round?
A: Sioux Center is eligible for the Thriving Communities points in the 2027 9% Round.