80/20 Housing Bonds
The Commission's Multifamily Housing 80/20 Bond Program provides developers with access to tax-exempt bond financing.
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Multifamily Housing Bond Financing Policy (PDF)
What Your Lender Will Want to Know (PDF)
Multifamily Developer Guide: Complying with Tax Laws After the Bond Issue (PDF)
TAX-EXEMPT BONDS
Tax-exempt bonds, also known as private activity bonds, are bonds where the interest earned by the bondholder(s) is exempt from federal taxation. These bonds are used by nonprofit and for-profit developers to borrow funds for construction and other costs of developing affordable-housing. Because the interest is tax-exempt, the debt has lower interest rates than traditional financing. In return, the developer must set aside a certain percentage of units for low-income residents. The Commission issues two types of bonds: Multifamily Bonds and 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Housing Bonds.
Multifamily bonds are subject to annual volume limits (“Bond Cap”) based on the state’s population. In 2013, the Commission allocated nearly $243 million in bonds to multifamily housing projects across the state.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS/TYPES OF FACILITIES
Multifamily rental housing
Limited equity cooperative
Assisted living with full living facilities
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing that does not have complete kitchens or baths
All projects financed with Multifamily Bonds must have at least 5 units and must set aside some units as low-income units.
AMOUNT FINANCED
The state limits the maximum level of tax-exempt Multifamily Bonds the Commission can issue in a given year. Therefore, developers must apply for an allocation of bond cap before bonds can be issued. The application process can be competitive if requests are greater than supply. At this time, the state has bond cap available. Contact us.
ACTIVITIES FINANCED
New construction
Acquisition with rehabilitation
Rehabilitation only
USE OF BOND PROCEEDS
Developers may use the proceeds from tax-exempt bonds to pay for project development including:
Predevelopment costs
Land Acquisition
Construction & Equipping of Units
Common Areas
On-Site Recreation Facilities
Parking Areas Included with Rents
Laundry Facilities
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Internal Revenue Code requires users of tax-exempt Multifamily Bonds to reserve a percentage of the total units financed for low-income residents. The minimum requirement under the code is either 20% of the total units set aside for households with incomes at or below 50% of median income; OR 40% of the units set aside for households with incomes at or below 60% of median income.
Maximum Household Income Required to Qualify Residents
TAX-EXEMPT MULTIFAMILY HOUSING BONDS WITH LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT
If more than 50% of a project is financed with tax-exempt Multifamily Bonds, the project may access the 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit without competing for an allocation of LIHTCs. Projects must first submit an application and score a minimum of 30 points on the Qualified Allocation Plan. Using bonds with tax credits allows developers to combine low interest rates on long-term debt with a substantial equity contribution from an allocation of LIHTCs. While LIHTCs cannot be used with 501(c)(3) bonds, nonprofit developers can access LIHTCs by forming a partnership with a for-profit tax credit investor and applying for Multifamily Bonds.
QUESTIONS?
Claire Petersky, Manager
Multifamily Housing and Community Facilities
WSHFC
1000 Second Ave, Ste. 2700
Seattle, WA 98104
mailto:
claire.peterky@wshfc.org
Website: www.wshfc.org
Direct Line: 206.287.4407
Dan Schilling, Senior Bond/Housing Credit Analyst
Multifamily Housing and Community Facilities
WSHFC
1000 Second Ave, Ste. 2700
Seattle, WA 98104
mailto:
dan.schilling@wshfc.org
Website: www.wshfc.org
Direct Line: 206.867.4811