Creating Community: USF Class Teaches You How

Those interested in community development may want to investigate what the University of South Florida (USF) has to offer this summer.

From May 12 through August 19, USF is offering a course that could culminate in a Community Real Estate Government (CREG) certificate. The course, facilitated by Tom Zuniga, is open to  community development practitioners and will focus on practical training for creating successful affordable housing and community-based real estate development programs. The course will be taught at the Fifth Third Bank Building at 201 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa.

According to Angela Crist, director of USF's Florida Institute of Government, the hands-on training from a grassroots approach will help attendees gain a firm grasp of the real estate process.

"The course is presented in three modules," explains Crist. "The first will cover the basic skills required to deal successfully in real estate development. Here we introduce the concept of community development and attendees will learn the language of lenders, developers and other entities involved in the process.

"The second module will deal with the financial aspects of development," continues Crist. "Understanding financing and subsidy resources available for housing development as well as an understanding of public and private financing. And the third will address how to manage a real estate development project. As part of that, they will do a simulated project based on an actual case study. This brings together all three modules."

The cost for the program is $125, and applications must be submitted by May 6, 2011, which will then be reviewed by a Steering Committee for acceptance into the program.

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Source: Angela Crist, University of South Florida