CYPRESS REALTY

Cypress Realty offers program management, development, construction management, consulting, and other real estate services to clients in both the public and the private sector. As program manager of the $74 million FEMA Alternative Housing Pilot Program for the State of Louisiana, Cypress Realty has served as program manager and developer for several new neighborhoods and over 450 permanent homes. The firm's experience makes it well-suited to serve the real estate needs of local housing authorities, state disaster recovery authorities, federal agencies, municipal redevelopment authorities, state housing finance agencies, state military departments, non-profits, and private sector clients.

CYPRESS REALTY DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES

Cypress’ Temp-to-Perm Neighborhoods Model

In its Louisiana AHPP application, Cypress offered FEMA an improved model for disaster recovery housing: sustainable neighborhoods of safe, cost-efficient, attractive, permanent homes. The key principle of Cypress’ Temp-to-Perm Neighborhoods Model is front-end, New Urbanist site planning and design that facilitates the transition of temporary shelter units to permanent, healthy, and sustainable neighborhoods.

Cypress’ Temp-to-Perm Neighborhoods Model serves displaced families as well as disaster-stricken communities and the agencies tasked with administering recovery efforts. The model provides displaced families the opportunity and support they need to transition from temporary shelter to permanent housing within a single neighborhood. This seamless transition allows the neighborhoods themselves to become integrated, sustainable components of their surrounding community fabric.

By investing in the long-term assets of recovering communities, Cypress’ Temp-to-Perm Neighborhoods Model provides long-term value for taxpayers, even if initial costs exceed less expensive but shorter-term solutions.

Superior Value for Taxpayers

Cypress believes that government-sponsored projects should be delivered at the best value to the contracting agency and taxpayers. With that in-mind, Cypress offers the following value propositions:

  • Cost: Cypress partners with subcontractors that deliver cost-effective results. For the Texas AHPP, Cypress conducted its own RFP and selected Parallax, the Texas subcontractor capable of delivering best value to TDHCA and to taxpayers.
  • Efficiency: Cypress is an efficiently organized firm unburdened by a top-heavy, far-flung infrastructure common to global engineering and construction conglomerates.
  • No Need to Reinvent the Wheel: Cypress leverages the processes and knowledge it developed in the Louisiana AHPP to accelerate contracting, reporting, and other administrative and compliance requirements. Cypress has the AHPP experience to deliver results the first time, on time, and on budget.

Cypress’ principles for the development of healthy, sustainable neighborhoods of dignified, affordable, and attractive homes

  • Performance matters: There is no replacement for excellent execution.
  • Cost matters: Taxpayers deserve value and return on investment.
  • Time matters: Recovery should be measured in months, not years.
  • Size matters: Compact neighborhoods of 40 to 200 homes are ideal.
  • Location matters: Urban infill strengthens the fabric of a community.
  • Aesthetics matter: Local architecture should be respected and reflected.
  • Sustainability matters: Disaster recovery homes and neighborhoods should contribute to long-term sustainability in a recovery community.

Stability for Resident Families

Cypress’ Temp-to-Perm Neighborhoods Model is based on front-end, New Urbanist site planning and design that facilitates the transition of temporary shelter units to permanent, healthy, and sustainable neighborhoods. Cypress’ Temp-to-Perm Neighborhoods Model serves displaced families as well as disaster-stricken communities and the agencies tasked with administering recovery efforts. The model provides displaced families the opportunity and support they need to transition from temporary shelter to permanent housing within a single neighborhood. This seamless transition allows the neighborhoods themselves to become integrated, stable, and sustainable components of their surrounding community fabric.