LOWELL, MASS. — MassDevelopment has provided $17 million in tax-exempt bond financing for a 52-unit affordable housing project that will be located north of Boston in Lowell. The site formerly housed a Merrimack Valley Food Bank warehouse that will be demolished, although select areas of the historic façade will be retained and restored. The majority (41) of the units will be reserved for households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income (AMI), with the other 11 to be set aside for renters earning 30 percent or less of AMI. The borrower is an affiliate of Tremont Development Partners. Eastern Bank purchased the bond.
NEW YORK CITY — A partnership between locally based developer BFC Partners, CB Emmanuel, nonprofit organization Catholic Homes, Pinnacle City Living and the New York City Housing Authority (NYHCA) has received $332.3 million in financing for the redevelopment of West Brighton I and II on Staten Island. The project, which is being carried out through the NYHCA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program will rehabilitate 574 affordable housing units that are home to more than 1,300 residents. The development team will also reactivate 24 vacant units, with 12 restored as permanently affordable residential units and 12 converted into a new senior center. The financing consists of a combination of debt provided by Freddie Mac and the New York City Housing Development Corp. (HDC), as well as a bridge loan provided by Wells Fargo, historic tax credits, city subsidies and sponsor equity. Buildings will receive both interior and exterior renovations, including façade restorations, roof repairs, new security systems, ventilation improvements and refurnished heating and water systems. In addition, the partnership will undertake comprehensive upgrades to the bathrooms and kitchens with new appliances, fixtures and countertops. Lastly, the grounds will be revitalized with new landscaping, lighting, play equipment, seating, walkways and community …
NEW YORK CITY — A partnership between locally based firm Douglaston Development, Asland Capital Partners, nonprofit organization Breaking Ground and the New York City Housing Authority (NYHCA) will undertake a $275 million renovation of Sack Wern Houses in The Bronx. The seven-building affordable housing property is located in the borough’s Soundview neighborhood and is home to more than 800 residents. The rehabilitation, which is being carried out through the NYHCA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, will cover more than 400 apartments, as well as common areas and building infrastructure and utility systems. All apartments will receive new doors, closets, windows and paint, as well as comprehensive upgrades to bathrooms and kitchens, including new appliances, fixtures, countertops, cabinets, lighting, flooring and showers. Sack Wern buildings will also receive sustainable heat pump technology, façade repairs, ventilation improvements, roof replacements, new solar panels and new security installations such as cameras and improved lighting. Additionally, common areas — entrances, lobbies, mail areas, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms and the community room — will be fully renovated. Lastly, development grounds will be revitalized with new landscaping, children’s play equipment and seating, as well as repaved walkways, more accessible ramps and stairs and an upgraded basketball …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A partnership between The NRP Group and Marshall Heights Community Development Organization Inc. (MHCDO) has broken ground on Emblem, a 115-unit affordable housing community located at 301 Florida Ave. NE in Washington, D.C. Situated in the District’s NoMa and Union Market neighborhoods, the property will be reserved for households earning up to 30 and 50 percent of the area median income (AMI). Residents of Emblem will be within walking distance of a Metro station, two bus lines, the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Union Market District. The 13-story, flatiron building will feature a dedicated toddler playroom, bike storage room and a multi-purpose community room. NRP Group and MHCDO plan to break ground this year and deliver Emblem in 2026. Financial partners for the project include DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA), Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), DC Housing Authority (DCHA), DC Green Bank and Bank of America.
HARTFORD, CONN. — Regional owner-operator WinnCos. has purchased Bedford Gardens Apartments, an 84-unit affordable housing complex in Hartford, with plans to implement an $18.7 million renovation. The 10-building complex was built in the 1920s, and its residences are reserved for households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. Two Massachusetts-based firms, The Architectural Team and Keith Construction, are providing design and general contracting services for the project, respectively.
CHICAGO — General contractor Skender has completed a full interior and exterior revitalization of the Barbara Jean Wright Court Apartments in Chicago’s University Village neighborhood. The affordable housing property features 272 units across 27 buildings. Jonathan Rose Cos. purchased the asset from the Chicago Community Development Corp. in 2022 with the intent to preserve the property’s affordability status. In addition to Skender, the project team included architect Grund & Riesterer, mechanical engineer WT Group, civil engineer RTM Engineering and structural engineer Rockey Structures. Skender teamed up with Tandem Ventures to manage regulatory compliance, maximize community engagement and create local employment opportunities on the project. The 18-month project involved an occupied rehab where residents needed to be relocated during 27 phases of energy-efficiency and quality-of-life upgrades. Externally, the buildings received enhanced landscaping, energy-efficient windows, new roof shingles, brick masonry repairs and tuckpointing, new concrete sidewalks and asphalt parking lots, and new entry gates tied to a security and campus entry system. The renovated units provide dishwashers, updated bathrooms and new plumbing fixtures, new floor finishes, energy-efficient lighting fixtures and HVAC plant upgrades. The project also included the ground-up construction of a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse that features a leasing office, conference rooms, computer …
MINNEAPOLIS — Wells Fargo has provided $65.5 million in construction financing for Opportunity Crossing. The 110-unit affordable housing project marks the first mixed-use affordable housing development to be built in South Minneapolis since the 2020 social uprisings, according to a news release. In addition to the units, the six-story property will feature first-floor commercial space for small businesses and a new Wells Fargo branch. Wells Fargo’s Community Lending and Investment Group provided $29.5 million in total construction financing, a $6.5 million permanent loan commitment and a $24.5 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credits equity investment. The redevelopment at 3030 Nicollet Ave. is the result of a community outreach process that included eight community listening sessions hosted by the developer, Project for Pride in Living, as well as the Cultural Wellness Center and Wells Fargo.
By John Nelson Lending activity in the multifamily divisions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is in the midst of a prolonged slump. The 2023 multifamily loan volumes for the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) were down significantly year-over-year, with Fannie Mae at $52 billion last year (compared to $69 billion in 2022) and Freddie Mac at $48 billion (compared to $73.8 billion in 2022). And it doesn’t appear that deal volume will return to the frothy levels achieved in 2022 this year. Fannie Mae executed $10.1 billion in loans during the first quarter of 2024, which is almost identical to its first-quarter 2023 production. Freddie Mac generated $9 billion in multifamily loans in the first quarter — up significantly from $6 billion in first-quarter 2023 — but down nearly 45 percent from fourth-quarter 2023. While the GSEs freely acknowledge the slowdown in business, they are more than holding their own when it comes to serving borrowers. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that multifamily loan originations totaled $264 billion in 2023, with the agencies accounting for 38 percent of all multifamily originations. By comparison, the share of overall multifamily originations was closer to 29 percent for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) and Hoffman & Associates have opened The Westerly, a 449-unit apartment community in southwest Washington, D.C. The mixed-income property features apartments in studio, one- and two-bedroom layouts, including 136 units that are evenly split with income restrictions set at 30 and 50 percent of the area median income (AMI). The property is situated less than one block from the Waterfront Station Green Line Metro station and three blocks from The Wharf, a multibillion-dollar mixed-use development co-developed by Hoffman & Associates. Designed by Torti Gallas + Partners, The Westerly features a façade with cascading balconies and landscapes by Michael Vergason. The property also includes 20,000 square feet of amenities, including a rooftop pool deck, outdoor courtyard with a fire pit, entertainment lounges, fitness center, coworking and meeting spaces and a lobby lounge. The Westerly also houses 29,000 square feet of retail space leased to Good Company Doughnut Café, GoodVets and AppleTree Public Charter School. AHC and Hoffman funded the project using a market-rate equity investment with both 4 percent and 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Partners in the development included development partners CityPartners and Paramount Development; capital partners Grosvenor Americas, Merchants …
LENEXA, KAN. — Walker & Dunlop Inc. has arranged $29.6 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity for the financing of Canyon Creek East, an affordable housing project in Lenexa. The development will include 212 units across five buildings. Jennifer Erixon led the Walker & Dunlop team that arranged the LIHTC equity, which will finance approximately 40 percent of the total development costs, on behalf of MRE Capital. Canyon Creek East is part of the larger Cedar Canyon West development plan, which encompasses a mix of residential, commercial and recreational facilities. MRE’s development will provide units for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income.