Northeast

  A trio of social-impact lending programs is enticing enough to convince market-rate multifamily owners and investors to dip their toes into the affordable housing sector. These recently launched initiatives all promote the creation and preservation of workforce housing. Unlike low-income housing tax credits, Section 8 rent vouchers and other longstanding programs centered on helping families with low and very-low incomes to afford housing, the newest offerings primarily aim to assist missing middle renters — or those with modest-to-low incomes. That’s according to Ian Monk, deputy chief production officer for conventional multifamily at Lument — which is educating its borrowers about the competitive pricing, generous proceeds and potential for lengthy amortization periods available from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “By charter, the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) have a duty to help provide housing that is affordable to all people, including families with only moderately low incomes,” Monk says. “In the multifamily arena, they may serve those families in fully dedicated affordable communities, but they can also serve them in conventional, market-rate properties that adopt some affordability initiatives using one of these social-impact loan structures.” The GSEs are making a strong push in 2024 to expand participation in the three social-impact loan products, …