NEW YORK, NY - The New York office of leading multifamily financier Merchants Capital today announces it has secured more than $25.9 million for the renovation and upgrade of Mirador Las Casas, a Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) multifamily development located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This project is notable as a return by the Puerto Rico Housing Finance to 4% LIHTC housing bond issuance.
The property features 294 units across 21 three-story buildings, with a variety of two-, three- and four-bedroom floor plans. Long term Section 8 and LIHTC agreements ensure the extended affordability for the residents of Mirador Las Casas. The planned renovation will preserve quality living standards in addition to providing residents with new amenities and services. Sixteen of the total units will be reserved for people with functional diversity, including three units marked as “sensory accessible” for those with hearing impairments.
Less than four miles from the highly sought after Isla Verde Beach, Mirador Las Casas provides critical affordable housing for low-income families of San Juan. The property is one of 22 owned across the island by the accomplished local developer and investor Fernando L. Sumaza & Co., LLC.
Funded sources will support an extensive renovation of the property, including in-unit amenity improvements of kitchens, baths, balconies and installation of in-unit washer and dryer appliances. Additional improvements will include construction of a leasing office, community building, digital library building, basketball court, playground, maintenance building and storage sheds. New sidewalks will be installed throughout the property, and all parking areas will be resurfaced.
Merchants Capital New York secured a $25.9 million Merchants Bank of Indiana (MBI) bridge loan on behalf of the property owner. The revolving MBI bridge loan will cash collateralize a $56 million publicly offered housing bond issuance by Puerto Rico Housing Finance Agency and enable the project to comply with federal LIHTC regulations. LIHTC equity for the project was syndicated by The Richman Group. Purchaser’s/Underwriter’s counsel was provided by Tiber Hudson and bond underwriting by Stifel.
“Merchants was able to provide an innovative cash collateralized structure for Mirador Las Casas. This loan complies with federal LIHTC 50% test requirements and reduces required interest reserve development costs. Providing a cash collateralized financing product in Puerto Rico represents a major milestone for our team and the affordable housing finance industry,” said Ben Levine, Senior Vice President of Originations at Merchants Capital New York. “Communities in Puerto Rico are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. We are hopeful that by working alongside the Puerto Rico Housing Finance Agency and the development team for Mirador Las Casas we can make a positive contribution to the Puerto Rican community.”
“It has been a grateful experience working with Merchants and the other professionals that made this deal possible,” said Alexandra Domenech, President of Fernando L. Sumaza & Co, LLC. “Merchants' entry into the Puerto Rico financial market provides new opportunities for the development of affordable housing on the island, and we are glad that they started with our project. The Sumaza team is eager to see the families of Mirador Las Casas Apartments enjoying the renovated and modern housing.”
To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com
ABOUT MERCHANTS CAPITAL: Established in 1990, Merchants Capital is one of the nation’s top lenders for the refinance, acquisition, new construction and substantial rehabilitation of multifamily, affordable, and senior housing. Whether you are considering tax credit syndication, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, HUD/FHA insured or balance sheet financing, let our personalized services help you meet your financing objectives. Experience the creativity of a small lender, with all the capabilities of a large institution. To learn more about Merchants Capital, visit www.merchantscapital.com