4 in 5 Americans Say Affordability is a Problem

(RECAP: If you are looking for an upbeat assessment of consumer sentiment regarding housing, a recent survey by the MacArthur Foundation is not the place to go. Its most recent survey of housing attitudes shows many Americans feel that home ownership is increasingly out of reach and close to a third of respondents don’t reckon the housing crisis is over. In the 2016 How Housing Matters Survey, Americans overwhelmingly consider stable, affordable housing as essential to economic security for families, tying with saving for retirement at 85 percent, behind only having a excellent job at 90 percent. Yet 81 percent of respondents believe housing affordability is a problem and six in 10 called it a serious problem. Sixty-eight percent believe it is more challenging to secure affordable housing today than it was for previous generations, a belief held across all educational, income, regional and demographic cohorts.

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Sutter Hill Completes Acquisition of 464-Unit Metro Atlanta Apartment Community for $68.75 Million

VININGS, GA – Toronto-based Sutter Hill Acquisition Corporation has bought The District at Vinings Apartments in Metro Atlanta for $68.75 million. Sutter Hill intends to spend up to $7 million renovating the 464-unit multifamily community, which is located on nearly 38 acres in the heart of the Vinings area. The transaction closed June 16, 2016.

The District at Vinings Apartments is located at 2800 Paces Ferry Rd S.E., Atlanta, 30339, less than three miles from SunTrust Park — the new stadium for Atlanta’s Major League Baseball team, the Braves — and The Battery Atlanta, which is expected to be one of the nation’s top sports, shopping and entertainment venues. The apartments are also near Home Depot headquarters, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, the Cobb Galleria and quaint Vinings Village.

“This is a dominant asset in a dominant location,” said Sutter Hill Acquisition President and CEO Karim Kanji. “It also has a walkability score in the 90s, which is unusual for most properties in Atlanta.”

Stonemark Management will manage the pet-friendly community and supervise the renovations — which will include a state-of-the-art clubhouse, expanded fitness center, enhanced landscaping and upgraded exteriors. The existing walking trails, fountains and decks already enhancing the community’s many lakes will also be expanded and improved. The interiors of the individuals apartments have granite countertops, new appliances, vinyl plank flooring and new lighting.

“We believe the strength of the location and the physical improvements that the owner is plotting will make this property even more desirable,” said Stonemark President Walt Lamperski.

The Sutter Hill Group of Companies is a family-owned, global real estate investment company, based in Toronto, with holdings in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Sutter Hill currently owns 1,264 apartment units in Atlanta, with an asset value of $150 million.

The Stonemark Group focuses on the acquisition, financing, ownership, management and disposition of multifamily real estate investments in the Southeast, Texas and Virginia. The group includes Atlanta-based Stonemark Equities and Stonemark Management.

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Affordable Apartment Community for Workforce Families Officially Opens in Downtown Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta joined local officials and community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of The Meadows, an affordable rental community for workforce families in Atlantic County. Developers on the project are Atlantic City Housing Authority, Urban Redevelopment Agency and Conifer Realty, LLC. The community is located just blocks from the beach and boardwalk, at 900 Mediterranean Avenue, on the corners of North Maryland Avenue and Mediterranean Avenue.

The HMFA, an affiliate of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), awarded the affordable housing project 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) which is expected to generate more than $9.9 million in private equity and $14.6 million in construction and permanent financing. Additionally, the affordable apartment enclave was awarded more than $5.7 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery dollars through the Fund for Restoration of Multifamily Housing (FRM) Program. The FRM Program was made in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and provides qualified housing developers subsidies in the form of zero- and low-interest loans to finance the development of affordable housing in the nine counties the federal government designated as the most impacted by the storm.

“Families throughout Atlantic County will now delight in a choice of 90 groundbreaking new affordably priced rental apartments at The Meadows. This community is a prime example of our ongoing efforts to help replenish housing stock lost to Superstorm Sandy across nine of the state’s toughest hit counties,” said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman, who also serves as Chairman of the HMFA.

The 80,000-square-foot Meadows community offers workforce families a choice of spacious one, two and three bedroom flats and two and three bedroom townhomes with modern amenities and on-site management and maintenance.

“We are very pleased to be able to provide the financing for this newest affordable rental community for families in Atlantic County. This is a seashore resort area where typical rental home costs can easily spiral out of reach for working families,” points out HMFA Executive Director Marchetta. “The Meadows provides an affordable answer for these families and the community’s convenient, downtown Atlantic City location offers added advantages for those who delight in the walkability aspect of this well-known resort.”

All apartments feature fully equipped kitchens with Energy Star rated appliances and fixtures, including dishwasher and garbage disposal. Plenty of closet space is provided in all floor plans and patio/porches are available.

Amenities include a community garden, fully equipped fitness room, computer lab and ample parking. Professional on-site management and 24-hour maintenance are also included.

Residents of The Meadows are within walking distance of restaurants, the Tanger Outlets, various public transportation routes and the Atlantic City Casino District. Furthermore, the Atlantic City Expressway, Route 30 and Route 40 – all of which provide access to various New Jersey and City of Philadelphia points — are all located one mile from the site. The Meadows is also close to schools, shopping centers, parks, churches and medical facilities.

Priority for residency was given to Sandy-impacted individuals during the first 90 days of lease-up at the affordable apartment complex. The 90-day priority period finished May 1, 2016, and The Meadows is 100% occupied. Currently there is one Sandy-impacted resident living there. Individuals who are interested in learning more about the project and its rental units may call (856) 662-1730.

The nearly $28 million total development cost of this community will provide affordable housing opportunities for workforce families and will continue to have a positive economic impact on the Atlantic County community. HMFA estimates that The Meadows has generated more than $44 million in one-time economic output, defined as the total value of industry production, such as sales and business revenues. During construction, the project supported approximately 265 direct and indirect/induced full-time equivalent jobs, and more than $1.6 million in state and local taxes. Now complete, the project continues to add value to the community by providing approximately $4.9 million in ongoing economic output, 28 direct and indirect/induced full-time equivalent jobs, and $278,200 in state and local taxes annually.

Economic Impact Analysis figures were estimated using multipliers derived from a 2013 study entitled “Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s Investment in Affordable Housing,” conducted by HR&A Advisors, Inc., a real estate and economic development consulting firm.

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