SUBJECT:     APPROVAL OF BUSINESS TERMS FOR A PERMANENT LOAN TO SIMPSON HOUSING SOLUTIONS, L.L.C., OR ITS DESIGNATED PARTNERSHIP, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALMADEN SENIOR APARTMENTS

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT: 6

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving business terms for a permanent loan of up to $3,757,000 to Simpson Housing Solutions, L.L.C, or its designated partnership, for the development of the Almaden Senior Apartments, a 66-unit senior housing development affordable to low- and very low-income households on a 1.3-acre site located on the west side of Almaden Road, approximately 100 feet southerly of Willow Glen Way.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On May 29, 2001, the City Council adopted a resolution to approve a fund reservation of up to $3,757,000 to Simpson Housing Solutions, L.L.C., or its designated partnership (“Developer”), for the Almaden Senior Apartments (“Project”).

 

In August 2001, the project was awarded an allocation of tax-exempt bonds.  The Developer has secured construction and permanent financing commitments and is seeking approval of a City permanent loan of up to $3,757,000.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The authorization to issue the bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000, and other recommendations related to the bonds will be completed under a separate report for the City Council meeting on November 13, 2001.    The purpose of this report is to establish the business terms for the Housing Department’s permanent loan for the project. 

 

Project costs are estimated to be $12,100,000.  In addition to the funds available from bond proceeds, the developer has applied for an allocation of 4% tax credits under the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee’s (CTCAC) non-competitive funding application.

 

Staff is recommending approval of business terms for a City permanent loan of up to $3,757,000, which will be funded at construction completion when the tax-exempt bonds convert from construction to permanent.  The City business terms will require that any surplus funding from tax-credit equity, permanent loan financing and lease-up income will be applied first to reduce deferred developer fee, if any, then to reduce the City’s permanent loan commitment.

      

Refer to the attached Fact Sheets for complete business terms for the City permanent loan.

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

A neighborhood meeting was held on November 16, 2000 at Canoas Elementary School.  Representatives from the Office of Council District 6 and staff from the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department and Public Works Department were among the attendees.  The project sponsor and City Department staff described the proposed project and responded to questions and concerns.

 

COORDINATION

 

Preparation of this memorandum was coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney.

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

The City’s permanent loan will be funded at construction completion out of the Housing Department's Fiscal Year 2001-2002 budget. 

 

 

LESLYE CORSIGLIA

Acting Director of Housing

 

Attachments

 

 

Almaden Senior Apartments

Fact Sheet

 

Development Team

Developer:                                            Simpson Housing Solutions, L.L.C.      

Architect:                                              The Steinberg Group   

Contractor:                                           TBD

Property Manager:                                AIMCO

 

Project Characteristics

Project Location:                                  West side of Almaden Road, approximately 100 feet southerly of  Willow Glen Way

Acreage:                                               1.3 acres

Council District:                                    6

Project Type:                                        Senior Rental

Group Served:                                      Low- and very low-income households

Number of Units:                                  66 (52 low-income, 13 very low-income, 1 unrestricted manager’s unit)

Bedroom Mix and                                                       

Monthly Rent:                                                                      1   BR            

                                                            LI (60% AMI)      52  @  $939  

                                                            VLI (50% AMI)   13  @  $776

                                                            Unrestricted            1 Manager’s unit   

                                                                                   

Other Amenities:                                   Elevators; furnished recreation building with TV room and community kitchen; laundry rooms and landscaped courtyard.  Unit amenities include refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and air-conditioning.

 

Estimated Total Project Cost:                $12,100,000

Estimated Cost Per Unit:                       $183,333

Anticipated City Subsidy

   at Permanent Loan:                            up to $3,757,000

Anticipated City Subsidy

   per Unit at Permanent Loan:               $56,924

Anticipated Leverage Per Unit

   for Permanent Loan:                          2.2 to 1           

Land Appraised Value:                         Appraisal in process. Appraisal that supports land purchase price of $3,000,000 is a condition of City financing.      

 

Permanent Loan Terms and Conditions: 

Loan Amount:                                       Up to $3,757,000

Term:                                                   Up to 40 years

Interest Rate:                                        4% simple

Security:                                               Subordinated Recorded Deed of Trust

Repayment:                                          Residual Receipts: 70% City; 30% Borrower               

Loan to Value:                                      Less than 100%, unless otherwise approved by the City

Recourse:                                             The loan shall be non-recourse.

Subordination:                                      As allowed by State law.

Affordability Restrictions:                      55-year Affordability Restrictions for the 66 units will be recorded on the Property at the time of closing of the City’s permanent loan, and may be subordinated as permitted by State law.

Conditions:

 

1.      Standard conditions and documentation requirements for the Housing Department apply.

 

2.      Prior to close of Construction financing, the following are required:

 

a.                   Proforma Budget acceptable to the City

b.                  Appraisal acceptable to the City that supports the land purchase price of approximately $3,000,000.

c.                   Phase I (and Phase II, as necessary) evidencing environmental clearance of the site acceptable to the City.

d.                  Borrower must maximize all available financing sources, including senior permanent loan, tax credit equity and/or grants.

e.                   Negotiation of final permanent City subsidy amount, which is not to exceed $3,757,000.

f.                    Any changes to City loan terms and conditions requested by lenders or tax credit investors are subject to the review and approval of the Housing Department.

g.                   The City’s Permanent Loan commitment shall be subject to the Term Sheet- City Loan Commitment executed between Borrower and City.

 

3.   The Project will be allowed the following to be identified as permitted expenses for purposes of calculating net cash flow:

 

a.       Partnership Management Fee of $15,000 fixed for a period not to exceed 15 years.

b.      City issuer fee for the bonds equal to one-quarter of a point (.25%) of the original principal amount of the Bonds for the term of the bonds.

 

4.   Any changes to City loan terms and conditions requested by lenders or tax credit investors are subject to the review and approval of the Housing Department.

 

Planning Issues

GP Designation:                                    High Density Residential (25-50 DU/AC)

PD Rezoning Status:                             Approved 

PD Permit Status                                  Approved

Building Permits:                                   Pending

Article XXXIV Status:                          Authority from Measure D (1994) is available

 

Estimated Project Development Timeline

 

November 13, 2001                             Anticipated City Council Approval of Permanent Loan Business Terms

 

December 2001                                   Anticipated Issuance of Bonds and Loan Closing

 

December 2002                                   Anticipated Start of Construction

 

February 2003                                     Anticipated Completion of Construction