TAMPA, FLA. – The Wilson Co., a Tampa-based affordable housing developer and manager, has sold a 31-property portfolio of affordable housing communities in Florida for $563.5 million. Totaling 8,498 units, the portfolio is heavily concentrated in Orlando and Tampa. Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, purchased the assets, which were developed between 1995 and 2004 using Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). On average, maximum allowable rents across the portfolio are approximately $350 below average rents at nearby market-rate communities. The portfolio was more than 97 percent occupied at the time of sale. “This transaction represents the beginning of a new era for LIHTC investment sales,” says Doug Childers, managing director of HFF’s investment sales team, which represented The Wilson Co. in the transaction. “Traditionally, LIHTC transactions have attracted primarily private, regional capital providers. HFF’s affordable housing experts were able to educate institutional investors regarding the portfolio’s relatively low cash-flow volatility and the regulatory and operational nuances associated with LIHTC communities. As a result, we were able to create a competitive bidding process that included large, institutional investors,” added Childers. Childers led HFF’s investment sales team in the transaction, along with HFF’s senior managing director …
Affordable Housing
DIXON, ILL. — Evergreen Real Estate Group has completed a $3.3 million renovation of Dixon Square Apartments, a 72-unit affordable housing community in Dixon, approximately 90 miles north of Peoria. Evergreen teamed up with HUD, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and City Real Estate Advisors to complete the project. The three-building property had not been significantly upgraded since it was completed in 1980. Evergreen made improvements to the laundry facilities, on-site playground, community garden and replaced the roof on each building. Renovations were also made to the units and included new flooring, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing fixtures, air conditioners and television hookups. The rehabilitation project, which started last spring, also included a 20-year extension of the community’s Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract, preserving the affordability of the residences through 2036. Dixon Square Apartments is located at 540 Freedom Walk.
CAPE CORAL, FLA. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the $8.5 million sale of Crossings at Cape Coral, a 168-unit affordable housing community located at 1150 Hancock Creek S. Blvd. in Cape Coral. The property was constructed and placed into the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program in 2000. The community comprises eight three-story buildings and a freestanding clubhouse. Evan Kristol of Marcus & Millichap’s Fort Lauderdale office represented the seller, an institutional owner based in New York City, and the private, Florida-based buyer in the transaction.
VERO BEACH, FLA. — KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided $12.1 million in FHA financing for Pemberly Palms Apartments, a 200-unit affordable housing community located in Vero Beach. Built in 1996, the 17-building complex was more than 95 percent occupied at the time of financing. Pemberly Palms operates under the Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit and is sponsored by Harmony Housing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides affordable rental housing throughout the U.S. John Gilmore IV and Jeff Rodman of KeyBank’s community development lending team arranged the financing, which was used to pay off an existing KeyBank bridge loan.
MADISON, WIS. — Associated Bank has provided two loans totaling $6.7 million for an 80-unit multifamily property in Madison. The financing consisted of an affordable housing construction loan and a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) bridge loan. Maple Grove Commons, which will located at 3204-3228 Golden Copper Lane, will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, 68 of which will be reserved for tenants earning below 60 percent of the median income for the county. The project, situated on 3.2 acres, will be delivered next summer. Maple Grove Housing LLC is the borrower, and McGann Construction of Madison is the general contractor. Knothe & Bruce is the design architect of record, and Oakbrook Corp. and Movin’ Out Inc. are co-developing the project. Steve Sosnowski of Associated Bank originated the loan. Associated Bank provided the majority of the loan tax credit equity through a Boston Capital syndicated fund.
BURLINGTON, WIS. — Boston Capital has invested approximately $4 million in the construction of a 32-unit apartment community in Burlington, 40 miles southwest of Milwaukee. Boston Capital is teaming up with Bear Development to deliver Fox Crossing II, which will utilize the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The property will consist of three market-rate units, 29 units for tenants earning less than 60 percent of the area’s median income and eight units for tenants earning 30 percent less. Units will feature dishwashers, washer and dryer hookups, walk-in closets and patios or balconies. Community amenities will include a 635-square-foot community room with a kitchen, fitness center, laundry facility, interior storage units and secure entry.
NorthMarq Capital Secures $81.9M Refinancing for Four Affordable Housing Properties in New Jersey
by Amy Works
HOBOKEN, N.J. — NorthMarq Capital has arranged $81.9 million in refinancing for four affordable housing properties in Hoboken. Gary Cohen of NorthMarq secured the 10-year refinancing, which features a 30-year amortization schedule. The financing was arranged for the undisclosed borrower through NorthMarq’s seller-servicer relationship with Freddie Mac. Managed by Applied Housing Management, the properties feature a total of 448 units.
IOWA CITY, IOWA — Dougherty Funding LLC has closed an $11.7 million acquisition loan for a 248-unit affordable apartment property in Iowa City. A majority of the units at Iowa City Pheasant Ridge Apartments were covered under a project-based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract. The property was built in 1971 and recently underwent $700,000 worth of improvements such as new furnaces, roofing, kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances. Iowa City Leased Housing Associates II LLLP was the borrower. Dougherty served as the lead lender and servicer for the loan.
BRADENTON, FLA. — KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided a $10.2 million bridge loan for Centre Court Apartments, a 180-unit affordable housing community in Bradenton. The property operates under the Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LITHC) with 108 units reserved for renters earning 60 percent area median income (AMI) and 27 units restricted to 30 percent AMI. John Gilmore IV of KeyBank’s community development lending division originated the loan on behalf of the borrower, Foundation for Affordable Rental Housing Holdings Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Delaware. Centre Court Apartments is sponsored by Harmony Housing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
CORAOPOLIS, PA. — KeyBank has provided a $5.4 million bridge loan for State Manor Apartments, a multifamily community located at 1020 State Ave. in Coraopolis, a suburb 12 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. SMA Cory PA LLC will use the loan to acquire the high-rise property, which features 104 affordable apartment units. Kelly Frank of Key’s Community Development Lending group arranged the financing for the borrower.