February 2023

M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Owners, Developers & Managers — February 2023 — 11C

www.marej.com

O wners , D evelopers & M anagers

Firm expands into Washington, D.C. market Comunidad Partners launches new impact- focused credit platform led by Debby Jenkins

W ASHINGTON, DC — Comunidad Partners has an-

rates and economic uncertain- ty going into 2023, we believe the rental housing sector,

providing a consistent source of capital to workforce and af- fordable housing borrowers.” Increased interest in ESG investing, lack of capital available for diverse borrow- ers, and changing market conditions present ideal cir- cumstances for launching C3, adds Marquez. “Our platform offering matches the market opportunity now and long into the future while filling a true void in the marketplace, addressing scalable impact solutions for workforce and affordable housing by a sea- soned and diverse leadership

team. Debby is the ideal leader for this new platform, as she brings a wealth of knowledge and deep expertise in multifamily capital mar- kets finance but also has been incredibly successful in cata- lyzing affordable workforce housing capital and impact capital in diverse communi- ties throughout the country.” Through Comunidad Credit Capital, the benefit is two-fold, Jenkins concludes. “This industry-changing plat- form will bring capital oppor- tunities in equitable ways to those who may not have access

to them, all while maintaining the stability of affordable and workforce housing,” said Jen- kins. “I am incredibly excited to join the Comunidad family and debut this innovative program.” Comunidad Credit Capital will officially launch in the Spring of 2023. Comunidad Partners is proudly 100% minority and women-owned and heavily focuses its investments ac- tivities on positively impacting communities through its ESG practices and its corporate culture of diversity, equity, & inclusion. MAREJ

and specifi- cally work- force hous- ing, is posi- tioned well. This market sector has proven its resiliency during the

nounced the launch of its new impact credit plat- form, Comu- nidad Credit Capital (C3), led by multi- family leader and Freddie

Debby Jenkins Antonio Marquez

last financial crisis as well as the recent pandemic. It is our intention to contribute to this by aligning with FHFA and the multifamily industry by

Mac veteran Debby Jenkins who will serve as CEO and partner of the platform. According to Antonio Mar- quez, founder and managing partner of Comunidad Part- ners, “The secular demand of affordable workforce hous- ing and the current market environment lends itself to an impact-oriented capital markets provider, as there has never been a more oppor- tune time, nor a more proven leader than Debby Jenkins, to introduce an innovative credit platform led and owned by diverse leaders.” The launch of the new entity is well aligned with Comu- nidad’s mission and values of enhancing community and creating opportunity for the underserved, explains Jen- kins. “Not only does this align with Comunidad’s values, but it is also well-aligned with my personal and profes- sional values and experience leading the nation’s largest multifamily finance platform,” says Jenkins. “The chronic lack of capital being invested into workforce and afford- able housing threatens the existence of these properties, which ultimately negatively affects the diverse tapestry of residents who reside in these communities.” The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced that in 2023, multifamily loan pur- chase caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will include a mission-driven category for workforce housing properties, providing incentives for bor- rowers to maintain rents at affordable levels for extended periods of time, Jenkins notes. “Given FHFA’s strong focus on affordable and equitable housing, I believe this is an opportune time to introduce a platform that will keenly focus on these important issues,” said Jenkins. “Despite the significant increase in interest

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