GSEs Prioritize Affordable Housing Goals for 2021

The caps total $70 billion each for Fannie and Freddie, down from $80 billion in 2020. Half of their funding is earmarked for mission-driven affordable housing, up from 37.5 percent in 2020. In addition, 20 percent of the affordable business must be allocated to properties offering rents at 60 percent of area median income (AMI) or below. The caps apply to the four quarters in the 2021 calendar year, compared to five quarters totaling $100 billion in the previous cap, announced in September 2019.

How will this 2021 strategy impact the lending market? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have tended to dominate multifamily lending with their highly competitive pricing, powered by the federal guarantee of their investment-grade bonds. While the GSEs will continue to fund market-rate multi-housing, these deals could be fewer and will be priced differently. Expect to see wider spreads, which will open up the market. Insurance companies, banks and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) lenders will become more competitive, particularly on better-quality product with LTVs up to 70 percent, with fewer banks playing in the space of $50 million and up. The GSEs are likely to accelerate buying small balance loans, affordable housing product and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) deals.

Investors financing workforce housing, particularly deals at 60 percent AMI or below, have more leeway on timing. In the past, the FHFA has considered deals outside the cap that fulfill its affordable housing mission, and that appears to be something it may consider again if the GSEs hit their overall goals earlier than expected. “As we continue to address the shortage of affordable housing, especially amid the COVID crisis, FHFA will keep a close eye on the multifamily caps to ensure that they are sufficient and serve to increase the supply of affordable housing but do not crowd out private capital,” noted FHFA Director Mark Calabria in a press release.

President-elect Biden has outlined an ambitious plan for affordable housing, a critical issue amid the economic wreckage caused by the pandemic. Biden’s platform contains two main pillars: provide more federal assistance to Americans who can’t afford housing and compel cities to reduce regulations that impede affordable housing creation. Getting the plan through Congress will be difficult if the Senate runoff races in Georgia on January 5 result in a Republican majority. In the meantime, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a $908 billion stimulus package this week. While it doesn’t include a new round of direct payments to Americans, it would renew the federal unemployment benefits that expired over the summer, at a rate of $300 per week for 18 weeks (down from $600 in the previous benefit). The plan would also provide $160 billion for state and local governments and $288 billion for small businesses, and extend the eviction moratorium, a hardship for multifamily owners who must still pay their mortgages. Sen. Mitch McConnell announced he is working on a separate proposal with the Trump administration.

With the reduction of cap availability in agency financing, multifamily owners and investors should seek out an advisor who can clear the entire market of lending sources. One reason MMCC has experienced dramatic growth in recent years is that we are ideally positioned to help clients locate and secure the right capital solutions for their specific needs. We invite you to leverage our unparalleled network of banks, insurance companies, CMBS and other lenders, and our capital advisors’ expertise to position your portfolio for success.