Harvard University Public Housing
Operating Cost Study

Lambert Advisory was a principal consultant to Harvard University’s congressionally mandated study to develop a new operating cost formula for the nation’s 1.3 million public housing units.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Lambert Advisory was a principal consultant to Harvard University’s congressionally mandated study to develop a new operating cost formula for the nation’s 1.3 million public housing units. Lambert was involved in almost all aspects of the study including leading an effort to develop market-based property operating cost data, which could be used to normalize public housing costs market-by-market. Lambert also co-led an effort as part of the study to develop a new debt-financing model for capital improvements in public housing.

The work of the Harvard Public Housing Operating Cost Study led to the entire modification of the public housing operating cost formula which now largely mirrors the private apartment sector’s operating cost and reporting system. Additionally, HUD’s over-subscribed RAD demonstration program has evolved from the Operating Cost Study’s recommendations and funding proposal to transform the way housing authorities have been able to leverage private debt to rehabilitate public housing.