 |
Deborah (Debby) Jenkins
|
WASHINGTON,
DC. Sept. 21, 2021 – Comunidad Partners (Comunidad)
has secured a $300 million financing commitment through Bellwether Enterprise
(Bellwether) and Freddie Mac that supports the creation or preservation of
affordable workforce housing throughout the United States. The
unique initiative is backed by Freddie Mac’s Tenant Advancement Commitment,
which offers competitive financing to operators who agree to maintain or
enhance affordability for the duration of the loan purchased by Freddie Mac at
properties that do not have regulatory rent restrictions.
 |
Oaks at Holcomb Bridge,
a 304-unit garden-style apartment
complex in Roswell, GA |
Freddie Mac has already purchased $86 million dollars in loans originated by Bellwether on behalf of Comunidad through its lending facility.
Bellwether
funded and Freddie Mac purchased the first two loans under the Tenant
Advancement Commitment earlier this year: Oaks at Holcomb Bridge in
Roswell, GA and Metro 7000 in Fort Worth, TX.
“Freddie Mac’s Tenant Advancement Commitment is preserving affordable rents and providing essential social services that benefit entire communities,” said Deborah (Debby) Jenkins, executive vice president and head of Multifamily for Freddie Mac.
 |
Metro 7000, a 206-unit garden-style apartment
community in Fort Worth, TX |
“Comunidad and Bellwether are pioneers in this effort, and we are so proud to have found an innovative financing structure that will accelerate their efforts in alignment with our new Multifamily Equity initiative to advance tenant interest.”
As
part of the arrangement, Comunidad is also providing social services at each of
the properties financed to support resident health and wellness, youth and
adult education, and economic advancement.
 |
| Antonio Marquez |
“The
need to create and preserve affordability in housing while simultaneously
integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into our
communities at scale was the thrust behind crafting this innovative capital
markets product in partnership with Freddie Mac,” said Antonio Marquez,
managing partner at Comunidad.
“We
anticipate this new social impact financing commitment will pave the way for
thousands of workforce / affordable units to remain affordable, with the added
benefit of improved social impact outcomes for our residents in the years
ahead.”
 |
Anthony Tarter |
Anthony
Tarter, who structured the arrangement as executive
vice president and director of Workforce Housing and Social Impact for
Bellwether, said, “Preserving naturally occurring affordable housing for the
missing middle class of America and facilitating social impact services for
tenants has always been a goal of mine.
"Antonio
Marquez of Comunidad and Freddie Mac are committed to this mission and
together, our efforts will result in the preservation of thousands of
multifamily units across numerous states.”
 |
| Rachel Deitemeyer, Principal and Finance Director |
Comunidad
is a women- and minority-owned real estate investment firm that specializes in
workforce and affordable housing in culturally diverse neighborhoods.
The
company specializes in revitalizing affordable and workforce apartments in
infill locations and implementing its specialized cultural management platform,
which includes cultural upgrades, community investment initiatives, and ESG /
social impact programs.
Comunidad
has invested in more than 40 communities throughout the country, totaling more
than 11,000 workforce and affordable housing units, and plans to continue to
expand its portfolio across the Sun Belt regions.
CONTACT:
Katie Haga
khaga@brower-group.com
Home - Comunidad Partners
FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac's blog FreddieMac.com/blog.
