BEVERLY, MASS. — A partnership between two nonprofit owner-operators, Beacon Communities ad Harborlight Homes, has completed a multifamily adaptive reuse project in Beverly, a northeastern suburb of Boston. Beverly Village for Living & The Arts is a redevelopment of the former Briscoe School, which was originally built in 1923 and closed in 2018, into an affordable seniors housing complex. Of the complex’s 91 units, 85 are subject to income restrictions, while the other six units will be rented as live-work studios at market rates. The conversion involved preserving historic elements of the building, such as the windows and façade, while also installing sustainable utility systems.
Affordable Housing
CHICAGO — Skender has broken ground on Jigzibik, a seven-story development that marks Chicago’s first affordable housing project centered on serving Native American communities. Located at 2907 W. Irving Park Road in the Irving Park neighborhood, the 45-unit building will provide Native-inclusive affordable housing, dedicated nonprofit space and a rooftop community gathering area. Jigzibik will offer units for those earning between 15 and 60 percent of the area median income. The development was conceived by Visionary Ventures, a Native-led nonprofit, and co-led by Full Circle Communities, with Canopy Architecture + Design as architect. The project’s name is a Potawatomi word meaning “at the river’s edge.” The building was titled by the project’s Native American Advisory Council and pays homage to the Great Lakes Indigenous nations. A custom masonry façade is accented by a flowing river motif rendered in white and blue brick. Completion is slated for the second half of 2026.
EAH Housing Opens 140-Unit Aloha lā Halewilikō Affordable Seniors Housing Property in Hawaii
by Amy Works
‘AIEA, HAWAII — EAH Housing has started leasing at Aloha lā Halewilikō, a $62 million affordable rental community for older adults in ‘Aiea. Located at the former site of the ‘Aiea Sugar Mill at 99-385 Pōhai Place, Aloha lā Halewilikō offers 83 studio apartments, 56 one-bedroom apartments and a manager’s unit. The rents are set at affordable rates for households earning 30 percent, 50 percent and 60 percent of the area median income. The community features a multipurpose room, walking paths, fitness facilities, community gardens and digital literacy programs. Lanakila Pacific, a local nonprofit partner, will provide onsite services, including Meals on Wheels and wellness programming to support aging in place.
MADISON, WIS. — Volker Development has selected McShane Construction Co. to build Kelly Station, a 76-unit affordable housing community in Madison. The project marks Fond Du Lac, Wis.-based Volker’s first in Dane County and its 27th development in Wisconsin. Kelly Station will feature a five-story, podium-style building with four stories of wood framing atop an above-grade precast parking garage. Amenities will include a second-floor roof amenity plaza, fifth-floor clubroom and rooftop deck, a fitness center, community room and local community service organization suite. The property will also feature an onsite Madison BCycle station. The project was designed to achieve Wisconsin Green Built Homes certification. A rooftop solar array will help offset electricity usage in the building’s common area and a “blue roof” system, an advanced stormwater management solution, will help reduce runoff. Completion is slated for October 2026. Knothe & Bruce Architects is the architect of record.
NEW YORK CITY — Lument has provided a $26.8 million HUD-insured loan for the refinancing of three affordable seniors housing properties totaling 203 units in Brooklyn. West End Gardens I and II are both located in the Borough Park neighborhood, while Webster Terrace is located in the Kensington submarket. All three properties are reserved for renters aged 62 and above and mobility-impaired individuals. Paul Weissman and Andrew Nicoll of Lument originated the financing, which was structured as a scattered-site loan and carries a fixed interest rate and a fully amortized 35-year term, through HUD’s 223(f) program. The borrower was HDF Cos.
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Why Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Believe the Wind Is at Their Back
by John Nelson
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are adopting a more pro-business approach when it comes to closing multifamily loans in 2025 than in recent years, when sources say they were more selective. The two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) combined to produce 33 percent more multifamily loans in first-quarter 2025 compared with first-quarter 2024. “There is definitely a ‘volume on’ mindset at both shops,” says Landon Litty, director of agency sales at BWE. “This is a real positive for borrowers.” For Fannie Mae, the volume of multifamily loans totaled $11.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, compared with $10.1 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, Freddie Mac produced approximately $15 billion in multifamily loans in the first quarter, financing around 144,000 rental units, well above the approximately $10 billion produced in first-quarter 2024. “The first quarter of 2025 has been dynamic, with real-time adjustments to meet market needs while maintaining a focus on soundness,” says a spokesperson at Freddie Mac Multifamily. Other sources attest that the GSEs are focusing on their sponsors more so than in previous years. T.J. Edwards, chief production officer for the multifamily finance division at Walker & Dunlop, says the agencies are proactively vetting first-time borrowers …
Woda Cooper, Franklinton Development Association Open 97-Unit Affordable Housing Project in Columbus
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Woda Cooper Cos. Inc. and co-developer Franklinton Development Association (FDA) have opened Starling Yard, a 97-unit affordable housing project in Columbus. The project involved the adaptive reuse of a vacant school built in 1908 along with two new-construction buildings. Starling Yard is situated in the Franklinton neighborhood on the west side of Columbus between Central and Brehl avenues. Originally built as West High School, the building later served as Starling Middle School before it closed in 2013. The property was purchased for the development project through an agreement with the Board of Education of the Columbus City School District. Starling Yard offers one-, two- and three-bedroom units for residents with household incomes of 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. Rental rates range from $401 to $1,295 per month, depending on income restriction and size of unit. There are five units adapted for those with mobility challenges and four units for those with sight and hearing disabilities. The restored school building features 45 units that preserve architectural features such as original tin ceilings, flooring, doors, trim and chalkboards. The new buildings total 52 units and rise three stories. Amenities include a community room, laundry room, …
O’FALLON, MO. — Northmarq has secured more than $18 million in HUD financing for Southernside Apartments, a 220-unit affordable housing community in the St. Louis suburb of O’Fallon. The property features one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, game room, business center, great room, covered parking and walking trails. Eugene Harris of Northmarq arranged the 35-year loan on behalf of Hennessey Construction Co.
BOSTON — A partnership between local nonprofit organization Castle Square Tenants Organization (CTSO) and regional owner-operator WinnDevelopment has begun the $40 million repositioning of Eva White Apartments, a 102-unit affordable housing complex in Boston’s South End. The project will encompass upgrades to unit interiors and the creation of new amenity spaces, as well as energy system retrofits to the property’s two seven-story buildings. Specifically, each of the property’s 34 studios, 57 one-bedroom units and 11 two-bedroom units will be improved with modern kitchens, bathrooms and living room flooring. New health and wellness spaces and a new fitness room will be created for residents. The current common laundry room, community room and management office will also be renovated. Bank of America, MassHousing and Citizens Bank are financing construction, with BoA also serving as the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit investor. Completion is scheduled for 2026. Eva White Apartments originally opened in 1967 and serves seniors and people with disabilities. The Boston Housing Authority holds a 99-year ground lease on the complex, which protects the property’s long-term affordability status. CSTO became the 99 percent owner of the property in December after securing the financing for the project. This venture marks the organization’s …
CPC Arranges $26.7M in Construction Financing for Affordable Housing Rehabilitation Project in D.C.
by Abby Cox
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Community Preservation Corp. (CPC) has arranged $26.7 million in construction financing for the rehabilitation and expansion of Townley Court, a 45-unit affordable housing community located in the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C. DC Green Bank and J.P. Morgan provided $15.7 million in combined financing for the project, while additional financing included $5.2 million from Amazon and $5.8 million from American Housing. Additionally, CPC Mortgage Co. originated a $15.7 million Freddie Mac loan under a Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) forward commitment. The financing will fund renovations to the apartment’s 45 existing units, with plans to build an additional seven units, as well as solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient building upgrades. The eco-friendly improvements are estimated to cut both the building’s utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10 percent, while also meeting the Enterprise Green Communities certification upon completion of the renovation. Completion is targeted for September 2026.
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