About AFHDC

Established in 2009 as a subsidiary of The Actors Fund, the Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation (AFHDC) develops high quality, affordable, supportive and senior housing for the performing arts and entertainment community. A hallmark of AFHDC developments is the integration of, among other things, space for rehearsal, performance, and other creative pursuits.

The AFHDC was recently designated as the Redeveloper of a site in Rahway, NJ, on which it plans to construct new, affordable housing for the performing arts and entertainment industry as well as visual artists. Together with our development partners, The Ingerman Group and Crawford Street Partners, the AFHDC is planning to develop, own and manage approximately 70 affordable rental units for individuals and families with low and moderate incomes. Current plans anticipate construction to begin in late 2013.

In Los Angeles, CA, the AFHDC has recently formed a partnership with Artspace Projects to develop the Broadway Arts Center in the downtown area. Plans for the Broadway Arts Center provide for approximately 100 affordable, low-income apartments for the performing arts and entertainment industry as well as visual artists. In addition, the Broadway Arts Center will provide rehearsal, performance, studio and galley spaces for residents and the community. Commercial space targeted to creative industries is an additional element of the plan. This project emanates from a series of studies conducted by the AFHDC and Artspace for the City of Los Angeles, with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. (Copies of those reports can be found in our Reports section.) The Broadway Arts Center is part of a comprehensive initiative of the City of Los Angeles, which includes potential CalArts development and urban planning and design led by Thom Mayne of Morphosis Architects. The current predevelopment work for the Broadway Arts Center is funded, in part, by major grants from ArtPlace and the MusiCares Foundation.

The AFHDC is also actively evaluating opportunities for future developments in New York City and Newark, NJ. The AFHDC anticipates a balanced funding mix for the actual development of the properties, with support from both public and private sources. The buildings will be funded by a variety of means, including tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, combined with philanthropic dollars. While the AFHDC has initially focused its activities in the New York City/Newark metropolitan area and Los Angeles, future development initiatives will target urban areas where there is a demonstrated need for affordable housing for performing arts and entertainment professionals and where that community is recognized as an important asset for economic growth and vitality.

Since 1902, The Actors Fund has provided retirement housing for members of the entertainment community. Providing professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry with secure and affordable homes has been an integral part of The Actors Fund’s activities for more than 100 years, earning the Fund a recognized expertise in the development and management of affordable housing. Prior to the establishment of the AFHDC, The Actors Fund successfully collaborated with other developers to create housing opportunities for these professionals in New York City and Los Angeles. To see examples of those opportunities, please visit our Facilities page.

The AFHDC was established to respond to the current and compelling need for affordable housing in the professional arts community. Over the coming years, we will continue to deliver ongoing essential support for our community—providing safe, affordable housing for those in need.