Anatomy of a Deal
Preserving a cultural icon of affordable senior living in D.C.’s Chinatown
Lender: Greystone Servicing Company
Borrower: National Foundation for Affordable Housing Solutions (NFAHS)
Financing: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), MBS as Tax-Exempt Bond Collateral (M.TEB) Execution, Moderate Rehab
152 units
Property details
1982
Year built
$50.6 million
Loan amount
The challenge
As one of the last remaining affordable properties in D.C.’s Chinatown, Wah Luck House is both an economic and cultural stronghold for its elderly residents, many of whom immigrated to the U.S. from China. National Foundation for Affordable Housing Solutions (NFAHS), a nonprofit based in Maryland, planned to preserve Wah Luck as a source of affordable housing while providing much-needed upgrades.
The solution
The transaction utilized Fannie Mae’s M.TEB product, which allows for faster closings and declining prepayment options. M.TEB also allows for flexibility in loan tolerances based on properties’ affordability. Wah Luck House, fully income-restricted under the LIHTC program, was eligible for a 90% loan-to-value ratio and 1.15x minimum debt cover.
The result
With $50 million in low-cost financing from Fannie Mae, NFAHS acquired Wah Luck House and completed $9.5 million in tenant-in-place renovations ($51,000/unit). The property remains highly affordable, with 100% of units restricted to 60% Area Median Income or below through a Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract.
The DUS® model moves with the market, allowing Fannie Mae to serve as a source of liquidity and affordability throughout the real estate cycle. The adaptability and proven success of DUS make it a model our partners can rely on.
Charles Ostroff
SVP & Multifamily Chief Credit Officer, Fannie Mae
