Communities

Ziegler Closes $94.3 Million Refinancing of Board & Care Community in Florida

March 28, 2018

Located on a beautifully landscaped 104-acre campus in North Central Florida, the Village at Gainesville (Community) offers 639 units of which 511 units are unlicensed independent/board and care and 128 units are licensed assisted living/memory care.

The Community markets certain of its accommodations as “independent living” even though board and care services are provided to residents in those units. Seniors (even frail ones) cling to the “independent” characterization even though many aren’t. As a result, the average age and acuity of current residents in senior living facilities is going up, requiring increased healthcare services to be provided in lower levels of care. Recognizing this industry trend, ZFC demonstrated that the unlicensed units met HUD’s board and care criteria.

ZFC recommended refinancing the outstanding tax-exempt bonds with the FHA Section 232/223(f) program to allow the Village at Gainesville to lower its debt service by locking in a 35-year, fixed interest rate of less than 3.5%. This refinancing not only recapitalized the facility, but also provided a solid foundation for future growth and success.

“This was our first experience utilizing the FHA mortgage insurance program and the ZFC team did an excellent job walking us through the process,” said Troy Hart, president of SantaFe Senior Living, the not-for-profit sponsor of the Community. “This financing is a great outcome in support of our mission. ZFC’s experience, focus and drive got the financing done.”

“It has been a pleasure working together with the SantaFe HealthCare organization and multiple levels at HUD to get this unique loan approved. It was a great team effort.” said Bill Mulligan, president of ZFC. “This refinancing represented a great example of the changing senior housing industry dynamics and how a not-for-profit can utilize the Section 232/223(f) program to realize debt service savings which can be used to further its overall mission.”

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