Merchants Capital Hires New Vice President of Multifamily Loan Originations

Job and Life Skill Services at Launchpad Apartments to Create Opportunity for Homeless Youth CARMEL, Ind. (Nov. 29, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announced it has secured $23 million in total financing for the construction of Launchpad Apartments, a permanent supportive housing (PSH) development in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Launchpad is the first Transition Aged Youth (TAY) development in the primary market area (PMA) and part of a community effort to halt the cycle of homelessness. Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) partnered with nonprofit The PLACE to provide housing and services for youth experiencing homelessness, including assistance with job placement, life skills, counseling and healthcare. The 50-unit property will be restricted to TAY households earning 30% or less of the area median income (AMI), in addition to those aged 18 to 24 who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness. Launchpad’s 50 units of supportive housing have the capability of resolving up to 69.4% of youth homelessness in El Paso County, Colorado, according to the 2023 Point in Time count of homelessness. Merchants Capital provided $10.9 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity for the project. Merchants Bank provided a $12.1 million construction bridge loan. Additional project funding includes $113,739 in 45L tax credit equity, $5.25 million in soft debt, $3.1 million in permanent debt and $300,000 in city fees rebates. The property will operate under a 20-year Section 8 housing assistance payment (HAP) contract covering 100% of the units. “It has been an honor to be part of an effort to protect at-risk youth, and we are proud to work alongside The PLACE and CEDG to bring this project to fruition,” said Linda L. Hill, Executive Vice President, Tax Credit Equity at Merchants Capital. “We launched our tax credit syndication platform back in 2020, and it’s been incredible to work alongside partners who share a passion and mission for making affordable housing a reality for all Americans. Launchpad Apartments serves as an important step towards this communal goal.” “Elevating people in diverse communities aligns with Merchants’ mission,” said Dwayne George, Executive Vice President, Agency Production at Merchants Capital. “We look forward to seeing the positive influence this project will have on the neighborhood and its residents.” Launchpad Apartments will sit in the “very walkable” neighborhood of Old Colorado City in western Colorado Springs. The site is adjacent to essential goods, employment opportunities and recreation areas. It is also 400 feet from the metro transit stop. “We are very proud to have the opportunity to partner with Merchants Capital on Launchpad,” said Lisa Sorensen, Development Director of Cohen-Esrey Development Group. “This collaboration is a testament to the power of community partnerships and their ability to affect positive change. Our shared vision is to provide young adults in need with more than just a roof over their heads – we're offering them a fresh start with Launchpad. We’d like to extend a special thank you to all our partners for helping make this a reality.” Launchpad Apartments is currently under construction and is set to be completed in October 2024. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Image Courtesy of Cohen-Esrey Development Group

CARMEL, Ind. (Nov. 27, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announced it has secured $17.4 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity financing for the new construction of Reserve on Park Place, an affordable senior property in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The property will bring 187 age- and income-restricted units to a high-demand area for affordable housing. "This project is emblematic of Merchants’ collaborative, full-service approach and commitment to affordable housing,” said Ben Trussell, Vice President of Acquisitions at Merchants Capital. “We are proud to provide a range of financing sources that support affordable housing development, particularly in closing funding gaps. We deeply value our partnership with Brown Capital Group, Leo Brown Group and Rogers Development Group." Developers Brown Capital Group, Leo Brown Group and Rogers Development Group bring significant multifamily and senior housing experience to Reserve on Park Place. Restricted to seniors aged 55 and older, the three-story low-rise property comprises 15 studio units, 136 one-bedroom units and 36 two-bedroom units limited to residents earning 40%, 60% and 80% of the area median income (AMI). The units are designed to support senior and special needs, with amenities that include handrails, grab bars, intercoms, limited access and video surveillance. “Given the numerous challenges amidst development projects, specifically in the affordable housing sector, Merchants Capital was an anchor in an unpredictable financing environment,” said Jarod Brown, CEO of Brown Capital Group. “We are delighted to bring affordable housing to an area which has such a high concentration of jobs for our future residents.” Reserve on Park Place will sit in a neighborhood among single-family and multi-family homes, with easy access to restaurants, hotels, a grocery store, a pharmacy and local businesses along State Route 1. Construction is expected to be completed in April 2025. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Reserve on Park Place image courtesy of R3B Architecture.

NEW YORK (Nov. 16, 2023) – The New York office of leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announces it has provided more than $225 million in financing to support the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) Union Avenue Consolidated project in the Bronx, which involves a massive refinance and rehabilitation of seven properties. The PACT Union Avenue Consolidated project consists of seven affordable housing developments, 18 buildings and a total of 983 apartment units. Merchants Capital’s Freddie Mac Capital Markets Execution (CME) loan will be used to refinance the property and rehabilitate the units with building-wide improvement plans. The scope of work includes kitchen upgrades (counters, appliances, cabinets), plumbing improvements and common area maintenance. Additionally, the financing will provide extensive capital needs and repair costs ranging from heating infrastructure to building security improvements. The upgrades will also include the development and implementation of a social services program tailored to the individual needs of the Union Avenue community. Though all units will be modernized and upgraded, all apartments will maintain permanent affordability and preserve tenants’ rights and protections. Construction began in October 2023 and is expected to be completed by September 2025. To date, Merchants Capital has provided more than $1 billion in financing towards the PACT projects throughout New York City. Most recently, the firm provided $320 million to support comprehensive renovations at Edenwald Houses, the second-largest NYCHA property in the state. “Our continued contribution to the residents of New York City proves that the work to solidify and support affordable housing for all is never done,” said Mat Wambua, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Agency Lending at Merchants Capital. “We once again appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with our public partners on these critical NYCHA PACT deals that are making a true difference in the lives of so many in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and other New York neighborhoods. Finding and securing innovative financing solutions that match the specific needs of our clients is what we do – our New York team’s creativity and expertise in structuring this intricate deal is a huge success.” The Bronx Housing Preservation Experience LLC is a joint venture by project sponsors The Arker Companies, SBV RE Investments LLC (formerly Omni NY) and Dabar Development Partners – all three accomplished leaders in the affordable housing, community development and real estate industries. Those parties, including Merchants Capital, bring extensive real estate experience in working with NYCHA through the collaboration on the NYCHA PACT Brooklyn Bundle II, an earlier project focused on major repairs and renovations for nine Brooklyn developments. Merchants Capital proudly worked alongside prominent affordable developers and industry partners for the Union Avenue Consolidated, including the aforementioned project sponsors, Nuveen, NYCHA, Freddie Mac, New York City Housing Department Corporation (NYCHDC), Sidley Austin LLP, Ballard Spahr LLP and Nixon Peabody. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.