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 …
Affordable Housing
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.
MERIDEN, CONN. — KeyBank has provided $51.5 million in financing for a multifamily conversion project in Meriden, located roughly midway between New Haven and Hartford. The sponsor, Trinity Financial, will redevelop the former manufacturing facility of musical instrument maker Aeolian Co. into an 82-unit mixed-income housing complex. The historic building is located at 85 Tremont St. and was originally constructed in 1887. Units will be subject to a range of income restrictions, with 11 residences to be rented at market rates. Amenities will include a fitness center, community room and a children’s play area. KeyBank provided a $24.5 million construction loan as the primary debt component of the financing package, and Trinity secured another $27 million in equity financing from a multitude of different sources. A tentative completion date was not disclosed.
ANOKA, MINN. — Volunteers of America National Services has opened Nolte River Place, an 80-unit affordable seniors housing community in Anoka, a northern suburb of Minneapolis. The property features one- and two-bedroom units, eight of which are reserved for formerly unhoused senior veterans and 10 are designated units for Project Rental Assistance Contracts vouchers. Amenities include a community room, exercise room, underground parking, hair salon and library. Volunteers of America is a faith-based nonprofit with programs in 46 states.
Atlanta BeltLine, Invest Atlanta Approve $172M Budget for Affordable Housing and Trail Construction
by John Nelson
ATLANTA — The board of directors of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and Invest Atlanta have approved the Atlanta BeltLine budget for the 2025 fiscal year. Totaling $172 million and marking a 12 percent increase over the 2024 budget, the funding will be directed toward the goal set in 2005 of developing 5,600 units of affordable housing by 2030, as well as acquiring land for the completion of trail construction on the planned 22-mile corridor by the end of 2030. Funding sources for the budget include $69 million from the tax-allocation district (TAD); $49 million from donations; $32 million from the BeltLine special service district (SSD); and $20 million from federal grants. “This is a historic and exciting time for Atlanta BeltLine as we get closer to completing the trail while meeting important goals,” says Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. “Supported by our new budget, we will exceed our goals for affordable housing, accelerate the pace for trail work and invest in more economic opportunities for all.” The new funding will help The BeltLine to develop more affordable housing than originally set out by the 2005 BeltLine Redevelopment Plan, which is notable since development costs have risen significantly …
STILLWATER, MINN. — JLL Capital Markets has arranged the sale and financing of Rivertown Commons, a 96-unit Section 8 affordable seniors housing community situated along the St. Croix River in Stillwater. The seven-story building totals 55,800 square feet. Amenities include a game room, library and private garden patio. Josh Talberg and Doug Childers of JLL represented the seller, Dominium Management, and procured the buyer, Standard Communities. The buyer plans to refresh the units and common areas in addition to extending the existing affordability restrictions. C.W. Early, Ken Dayton and Pat McMullen of JLL arranged acquisition financing through Freddie Mac.
PROVINCETOWN, MASS. — The Community Builders (TCB) has broken ground on Province Post, a 65-unit mixed-income housing project located in the Cape Cod community of Provincetown. The property’s affordable component will apply to households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income. The unit mix will include 18 studios, 32 one-bedrooms, 10 two-bedrooms and five three-bedrooms. Construction is slated for a spring 2026 completion.
Brikwell Receives $5.8M Loan for Benjamin Square Affordable Housing Community in Eaton, Colorado
by Amy Works
EATON, COLO. — Brikwell has received $5.8 million in financing for Benjamin Square, an affordable housing property in Eaton, a small town east of Fort Collins. Located at 55 Juniper Ave., Benjamin Square features 60 one-bedroom apartments spread across 10 single-story buildings. The units are all Section 8 affordable housing. Community amenities include a laundry room, community lounge and a covered gazebo/picnic area. Brock Yaffe and Tony Nargi of JLL Capital Markets Debt Advisory secured the fixed-rate senior loan through Freddie Mac Multifamily. JLL and Freddie Mac were able to craft a structure that provided the borrower time to renew and extend the Project-Based Section 8 HAP contract prior to acquisition and loan closing, preserving affordability at Benjamin Square for 20 years. JLL Real Estate Capital, a Freddie Mac Optigo lender, will service the loan.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Hunt Capital Partners has completed Saison North, a 116-unit affordable housing project located at the site of the former NXNW Brewery in North Austin. The majority (70 percent) of the units are subject to income restrictions, specifically for households earning 30, 50 or 60 percent or less of the area median income. Units come in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, and amenities include a clubhouse with community kitchen, a fitness center and a business center. Hunt Capital Partners developed the property in partnership with O-SDA Industries, Travis County Housing Finance Corp. and Saigebrook Development.