Federation CCRC Operations Corp. d/b/a Toby and Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton is an existing life plan community, managed by Life Care Services (“LCS”), which consists of approximately 234 independent living units, 48 assisted living units, 24 memory-support units, 60 skilled nursing beds and related common amenities.
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October 5, 2020
CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]
HJ Sims Underwrites $135 Million Expansion for Phase II of the Toby and Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton
FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful September 2020 financing in the amount of approximately $135 million for the Toby and Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton (Sinai). Located in Boca Raton, Sinai is a life plan community managed by Life Care Services comprised of 234 independent living units, 48 assisted living units, 24 memory-support units, 60 skilled nursing beds and common amenities. Sinai opened in January 2016 and achieved stabilized occupancy in less than a year. Sinai is located on The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Florida campus.
The Sinai Board determined to undergo an expansion to add 111 independent living units to the community. Sinai and its development partner, LCS-D, had commenced pre-development work to shorten its post-financing construction period and were driving towards a September 15 vertical construction start, amidst COVID-19. Sinai experienced strong pre-sale velocity despite the pandemic, and achieved 70% pre-sales during the bond marketing process.
Due to the accelerated post-financing construction period, and Sinai’s track record of rapidly filling independent living units, coupled with COVID-19 impacted constraints on bank financing, Sims and the Sinai team issued tax-exempt fixed rate bonds for the entire expansion. Sinai financed a portion of its development costs with taxable bonds, creating a $5 million taxable tranche of Entrance Fee Principal Redemption Bonds®.
Sims underwrote Entrance Fee Principal Redemption Bonds® up to approximately 91% of the initial entrance-fee pool of the expansion. The Series 2020 Bonds were robustly oversubscribed, permitting adjustment of the scale on the pricing date such that the long-term bonds (2055 maturity) were priced at 5.00% to yield 4.60%, permitting Sinai to borrow approximately $135 million with only a $2.4 million increase in maximum annual debt service over their existing maximum annual debt service. Sims facilitated the implementation of modifications to Sinai’s existing master trust indenture – providing greater flexibility on testing of debt service coverage (switching to annual versus quarterly testing) to accommodate intra-year swings in entrance fee turnover.
“Once again, HJ Sims has provided their exceptional professional expertise providing pre-development and construction development financing, in the amount of $135 million, for the Phase II Expansion of the Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton. Sims was the underwriter in 2014 for the $214 million bond issuance for the Sinai Residences initial start-up and development financing. Sinai Residences is now one of the most successful premiere luxury senior living facilities in the country.
The Sims’ team’s preparedness, availability, scheduling, communication, personal touch and extensive knowledge of the bond industry and markets allowed the Sinai Expansion project to be funded on-time and at exceptional rates. An owner could not ask for better representation. I look forward to the continuation of our outstanding relationship, and future funding opportunities, with Sims,” said Mel Lowell, COO, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, and Board Member, Sinai.
Financed Right® Solutions—Aaron Rulnick: [email protected], 301-424-9135 | Melissa Messina: 203-418-9015, [email protected] | Brady Richardson 443-340-9980, [email protected] | Patrick Mallen: 418-9009, [email protected].
ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram.
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HJ Sims has arranged $6.5 million in financing for capital improvements at Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH). Read more here in Seniors Housing Business.
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CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]
HJ Sims Secures $6.5 million Additional Debt Financing for Capital Improvements
FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful August 2020 transaction in the amount of $6.5 million additional debt financing for capital improvements for the Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH). PPH operates a continuing care retirement community in northeast Philadelphia, featuring 266 independent living units, 175 personal-care units and 126-bed nursing facility.
PPH has been funding capital improvements from general fund revenues. To efficiently manage cash-flow, PPH elected to finance $6.5 million of upcoming capital improvements. Sims, as financial advisor, developed a financing plan that provided for the funding of the required capital improvements, while implementing a structure that maintained maximum flexibility to maintain their debt service at manageable levels.
Prior to engaging PPH’s existing banking partner, Citizens Bank (Citizens), Sims worked with the PPH Fiscal Oversight Committee to develop structuring options. Following engagement of Citizens, Sims led the effort in working with Citizens to finalize the debt structure, within the confines of the bank’s requirements. Due to impacts of COVID-19, Sims negotiated a modified Debt Service Coverage test to the benefit of PPH. The additional obligations were structured as parity debt with PPH’s outstanding Series 2015 obligations.
Citizens provided $6.5 million of senior debt financing, fully amortizing in ten-years, and a five-year interest-only period followed by monthly principal amortization. The obligations were structured with a five-year, PPH-owned par call provision, and were issued on a tax-exempt basis through the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID). This provision was paramount as PPH’s existing Series 2015 Obligations mature in seven years, while Citizens could only defer principal on the Series 2020 obligations for five years. This call feature will allow PPH to restructure future debt at minimal cost.
Following closing of the Series 2020 Bonds, PPH locked in a synthetic fixed-rate on the debt. Sims served as Swap Advisor for the swap transaction, which also bears a mirroring, PPH-owned par termination right in five years, to align with the Citizens’ loan.
Sims, Citizens, PAID and the financing team worked diligently with PPH to secure final approvals, including navigating through unanticipated delays followed by the onset of COVID-19, to successfully close the financing.
“The HJ Sims’ commitment to incomparable client services has once again served The Philadelphia Protestant Home well. Despite the unforeseen challenges and uncertainly resulting from the pandemic, the Sims’ team provided valuable insight and unwavering advocacy to assure our financing needs were achieved. We are thankful for our partnership, the integrity, and collaboration with Aaron Rulnick and Siamac Afshar, for always putting what is in the best interest of PPH, first,” said John Dubyk, CEO, PPH. Philadelphia Protestant Home
Financed Right® Solutions—Aaron Rulnick: [email protected] or 301-424-9135 | Siamac Afshar: [email protected] or 267-360-6250.
ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, HJ Sims has nationwide investment banking, private client wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram.
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HJ Sims Secures $6.5 million Additional Debt Financing for Capital Improvements for The Philadelphia Protestant Home.
Continue readingOur team of market analysts have a singular mission: to help you make better investment decisions. Read the latest market commentary.
Continue readingOur team of market analysts have a singular mission: to help you make better investment decisions. Read the latest market commentary.
Continue readingFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2020
CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]
Financing the Perception of Safety
Senior Living Survey Finds Residents Feel Safe, Glad to be Part of a Community during Pandemic
FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, participated in the Senior Living COVID-19 Sentiment Report, which surveyed 4,000+ current and prospective senior living community residents, assessing their thoughts/ feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic. Lynn Daly, Executive Vice President, Sims’ Chicago office, authored content included in the 104-page report, COVID-19 Sentiment Report: A Survey of Independent Living Desirability & Safety.
The Survey, published by Plante Moran Living Forward and Retirement DYNAMICS®, was distributed to 23,000+ residents, prospective residents and staff at senior independent living communities nation-wide.
Among the results, it was discovered that of more than 4,000 current and prospective senior living community residents, 77% of current senior living community residents were somewhat or strongly supportive of living in a community during the Pandemic, with 87% of prospective community residents feeling somewhat or strongly glad to be living at home during the Pandemic. Click here to download the report.
While surveyed prospects worried about social isolation and daily tasks when living in their own homes, Survey results showed a slight decrease in their likelihood to move into an independent living community due to the Pandemic. The survey revealed:
While independent living communities received high marks from seniors on cleanliness, sanitation and communications, communities earned low grades on recreation activities, dining and technology offered during shelter-in-place.
The Survey received a 21.1% overall response, and was sent to independent senior living communities throughout the U.S., generating 7,000+ comments. The results indicate that prospective senior living residents recognize that living in a community would provide them peace of mind, safety and security. However, they are happy to be home during the Pandemic. For senior living providers and operators, making small operational changes can improve prospective residents’ perceptions, with the hope that they will make the commitment and enjoy what moving to a campus would provide.
“HJ Sims is deeply passionate about the providers we serve. We appreciate that COVID-19 has stretched our provider clients in unimaginable ways, including resident and staff safety, retention/recruitment of staff, uncertainty and negative press. We welcome helping those in the industry become more knowledgeable about COVID-19 and are pleased to provide relevant data on what providers are doing right, and where they can improve to align themselves with the perceived needs of consumers and staff. We have tremendous faith in the non-profit senior living model and embrace the opportunity to support its sustainability and resilience,” said Daly.
Ms. Daly has 30+ years of experience working exclusively with nonprofit organizations on their financing needs. Read more here.
Lynn Daly: [email protected] | 312-505-5688.
ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, HJ Sims has nationwide investment banking, private client wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram.
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Our team of market analysts have a singular mission: to help you make better investment decisions. Read the latest market commentary.
Continue readingOur team of market analysts have a singular mission: to help you make better investment decisions. Read the latest market commentary.
Continue readingOur team of market analysts have a singular mission: to help you make better investment decisions. Read the latest market commentary.
Continue readingOur team of market analysts have a singular mission: to help you make better investment decisions. Read the latest market commentary.
Continue readingGenesis Healthcare, Inc. (GEN) the largest nursing home provider in the U.S., released its earnings report last week. The report, and the earnings call, provided some interesting insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing home industry.
A variety of financial media outlets reported that Genesis was “battered,” “brought to its knees” and “staring down bankruptcy.” Keeping with the theme of constant negative news that the nursing homes (and senior care industry, in general) are facing in the media. These drastic headlines caught our and our investors’ attention. However, after reading the earnings report and listening to the earnings call, a very different picture emerged – one that is much more cautiously optimistic and in-line with what we are seeing among the senior living communities we have financed.
The real loss – As George Hager, the President of Genesis, explained on the earnings call, COVID-19 dealt a heavy blow to Genesis. However, as Hager points out, the company’s nursing homes, concentrated in the northeast, are already showing signs of recovery. While the company estimated that it had experienced pandemic-related operating losses in Q2 of $213 million, along with an 11% drop in occupancy, what the press did not report was that Genesis also received $228 million in government assistance (not included in earnings) through rate increases, grants, Paycheck Protection Program and other financial assistance. Genesis also reported that some of their hardest hit communities are now COVID-19-free and are seeing improved occupancy rates.
Tom DiVittorio, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Genesis directed attention to the fact that nearly 90% of the $145 million of COVID-19-specific additional costs incurred in Q2 were labor-related. DiVittorio further reported that: “These cost levels have come down since their peak in the month of May, as we systematically reduced reliance on expensive agency labor and thoughtfully ratcheted back enhanced pay programs and practices that were absolutely essential during the peak of the outbreaks.”
Is Genesis “facing down bankruptcy?” The “bankruptcy” reference was included in a number of stories and a reference to bankruptcy was included in the earnings report, but a little further reading provides context. As Genesis’ CFO highlighted during the earnings call, under Sarbanes Oxley, Genesis was required to do an analysis of whether they would be able to meet all their financial obligations if (1) they received no further government funding and (2) they made no expense reductions. Of course, the answer to that question was that under those circumstances, they would be in financial trouble and face bankruptcy. It was this last statement that made the headlines in much of the financial media. On its earnings call, the company shares that this analysis needs to be put into context since (1) there are already additional funds earmarked for nursing homes in the previously passed CARES Act, and provisions for additional funding exists in each of the House and Senate bills being considered; (2) Genesis is taking actions to control expenses; and (3) and Genesis expects to continue its plan to divest of unprofitable assets.
We find that the Genesis experience is similar to many of our investment partners’ encounters in the senior care realm. The industry was hit hard, but has shown great determination in fending off the blow and adjusting their business. Changes to Medicare rules and government assistance measures have helped offset some of the loss, but such help will continue to be necessary until senior housing providers can rebuild occupancy. Occupancy in nursing homes is climbing as hospitals return to stability. Some in the senior- housing world are witnessing a boost in interest as seniors who suffered through the pandemic in isolation at home are seeking a more supportive alternative. While the industry is not out of the woods just yet, it is best not to take COVID-19 headlines at face value.
Investment Banking firm HJ Sims recently announced the successful closure of $6.6 million in financing for pre-development capital toward the pursuit of an expansion at the Raleigh, NC-based life plan community Samaritan Housing Foundation, d/b/a Searstone Retirement Community.
Older senior housing communities, in particular skilled nursing facilities, face numerous financial and operational challenges. For example, combinations of changing neighborhood demographics, shifting care option preferences, the presence of newer, modern competition and constraints on third-party reimbursement have increasingly caused nursing homes to struggle to maintain healthy occupancy ratios and cash-flow. Often, when cash-flow is tight, repairs and improvements are delayed, if done at all; senior housing property executive management and their governing boards can reasonably ask:
These questions, important to all senior housing operators, are perhaps more acute for not-for-profit, mission-based organizations, who generally operate on tighter operating budgets. Moreover, the option of selling a building on campus to outside, third-party interests, may be counterproductive to the overall reputation of the community, as the buyer may not operate the property in a manner consistent with the original charitable mission. With so many aging senior living facilities facing financial hardship, creative measures must be taken to avoid eventual closures and bankruptcies.
The way forward may be the conversion of older, less-functional components of a senior housing campus, like a skilled nursing facility, to an affordable assisted living or age-restricted multifamily housing.
Such a conversion could serve the dual purposes of: (1) expanding the mission of a not-for-profit provider whose primary operation is in the market-rate sector and (2) addressing a dramatic shortage nationwide of affordable housing, especially for lower-income seniors.
Consider that the National Low-Income Housing Coalition reports that there are 7.2 million affordable housing units needed for low-income families and individuals across the country. By re-purposing healthcare or other older buildings on campus to affordable housing or assisted living, not-for-profit sponsors can avoid closures, unwanted sales to unrelated buyers, and financial hardship.
One of the major challenges to the development of affordable housing is that there is typically a large gap between the costs of the project and the amount of financing that can be supported by operational cash-flow. In many affordable transactions, the gap is filled with equity generated from the procurement of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs). These credits can significantly lessen the financial burden of conversion or repurposing senior living facilities into affordable assisted living or age-restricted senior housing.
LIHTCs provide developers and owners with a significant equity contribution towards the new construction, substantial rehabilitation, refinance, or acquisition of affordable housing projects. The program is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through State Housing Finance Agencies and local Development Agencies. LIHTCs connect investors with sponsors and developers, providing the investors with considerable tax benefits over a period of approximately 10 years in exchange for their investment into the creation or preservation of affordable housing properties.
LIHTCs are generally available under two programs: 9% credits and 4% credits. The 9% credits cover more development costs but are extremely competitive to secure and often require a sponsor to commit to a higher degree of affordability with respect to rents and income limitations of residents. Moreover, the highly competitive and limited-supply 9% credit is typically reserved for new construction without any other federal subsidies.
The 4% credits, which often are accompanied by an allocation of tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds, is typically allocated on a non-competitive basis. The 4% credits are considered part of the bond allocation, and given these credits are more accessible than their 9% counterpart and are available for repurposing existing buildings, the 4% execution will likely be the more likely product available.
In a typical LIHTC transaction, the credits would produce equity that covers anywhere from about 30% – 70% of the development costs associated with repurposing existing facilities into affordable housing. The LIHTC is equity, not to be repaid by the Project Owner. The typical Project ownership structure for LIHTC transactions is a Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Corporation, with the not-for-profit sponsor serving as a general partner or managing member and the tax credit investor acting as a limited partner or member. The not-for-profit sponsor can earn a development fee in a LIHTC transaction.
LIHTCs provide the equity for an affordable senior housing development; however, additional sources of financing will be needed to complete the capital stack.
Three HUD-insured mortgage loans can provide a source of financing for the debt component of a LIHTC transaction: Section 221(d)(4); Section 223(f); and Section 232 (assisted living). While a modest number of affordable assisted living facilities have been financed under the Section 232 program, the vast majority of HUD transactions that involve LIHTCs occur with the Section 221(d)(4) and Section 223(f) multifamily programs. (For a detailed summary of HUD’s mortgage insurance programs, please visit www.simsmortgage.com.)
The HUD 221(d)(4) program is the most likely option to accomplish the goals of a senior living sponsor to repurpose to affordable housing when the cost to renovate the property is higher than $40,000 per unit. This program is used for new construction and substantial rehabilitation and combines construction and permanent financing into one mortgage with an amortization and term of up to 40 years. Interest rates for the 221(d)(4) loans are currently in the low 3% range. The industry-best 40-year amortization lowers debt service payments, enhancing the feasibility of the Project.
Section 223(f) can be used when the cost of the renovation is less than $40,000 per unit. This program features a maximum 35-year amortization and current interest rates in the range of 2.50%. Both Section 221(d)(4) and Section 223(f) have .25% annual mortgage insurance premiums for affordable projects. These premiums are payable on the unpaid principal balance throughout the life of the loan.
A HUD-insured loan typically complements the tax-exempt bond financing that is needed “up front” to qualify for the 4% LIHTCs. That is because bond proceeds must be disbursed to pay project costs. However, the tax-exempt bonds are of limited duration, typically maturing after the rehabilitation is completed and the project is placed into service. The HUD-insured loan becomes the long-term financing after the bonds are redeemed post-rehabilitation.
LIHTC transactions often need additional sources of funding beyond the equity and tax-exempt bond/HUD debt. This funding can come from a variety of sources such as state grants or supplemental financing programs, Federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME funds and deferred development fees.
The LIHTC process is complex and involves significant administrative and reporting activities once the project is placed into service; however, if utilized properly, tax-credits can be a uniquely beneficial tool to preserve or create affordable assisted living or age-restricted housing. This process is further complicated if the converted units are part of an existing building financed with taxable or tax-exempt debt under a Master Trust Indenture (MTI). While it’s not impossible to layer tax-credit debt into the existing capital stack, additional legal and advisory work would need to be done to determine the correct path forward.
Due to the highly complex nature of these transactions, LIHTC consultants are typically used to assist with the tax credit application and ensure IRS compliance issues are followed. Not-for-profit sponsors without LIHTC experience may partner with an experienced developer, who becomes part of the ownership structure, albeit in a limited control setting.
Sims Mortgage Funding, Inc. (SMF) would perform the upfront screening of the transaction from the LIHTC and HUD-insured loan perspectives, and would coordinate with our parent company, HJ Sims, on the identification of tax-exempt bond issuing agencies with access to 4% credits and the selection of the agency most suitable for the sponsor’s needs. Moreover, we may be able to recommend specific LIHTC developers, consultants and attorneys based on the sponsor’s geographic location. Finally, SMF would help the provider identify legal help to ensure the new debt works with the existing MTI debt on the campus.
For more information, please contact Johnny Sears at [email protected].
Sims Mortgage Funding, Inc. originates, underwrites, and funds loans for Healthcare, Multifamily and Hospital projects. We have completed over $2 billion in HUD-insured transactions and are an approved LEAN (healthcare) and MAP (multifamily) lender.
July 22, 2020
CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP Marketing Communications | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]
HJ Sims successfully Positions SearStone for Accretive Phase II
FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce a June 30 closed financing in the amount of $6.6 million for Samaritan Housing, Inc. d/b/a SearStone Retirement Community (SearStone), a life plan community located in Cary, NC. SearStone consists of 131 independent living apartments, 38 independent living estate homes, 14 assisted living units and 25 skilled nursing beds. The assisted living and skilled nursing services are offered at the Brittany Place Healthcare Center (Brittany Place).
Sims financed the first phase of SearStone with a $117.5 million non-rated fixed rate bond issue in June 2012 and an expansion of the Healthcare Center in 2016 with an $8 million issue. Sims provided the original seed capital, and the funds to advance refund the 2012 issue, and provided a portion of the pre-development capital for the Phase II expansion in 2017. Given the growing demand for independent living units, planning commenced for a Phase II expansion project and pre-development costs were funded with $5.5 million of proceeds from the Series 2017B Bonds. Phase II should double the size of SearStone and is projected to be financially accretive; additional pre-development capital was needed. Phase II is known as the Highview at SearStone and contemplates the addition of 152 independent living units, 28 assisted living units (14 specialized memory care units) and 24 skilled nursing suites. New dining venues, along with additional common and green spaces will be also provided.
Sims successfully underwrote $4.6 million of tax-exempt bonds and $2.0 million of taxable bonds to provide supplemental pre-development capital for Phase II, scheduled for financing in early 2022.The financing was completed as one of the first non-rated senior living financings placed in the bond market since COVID-19, and provided close to $6 million of expendable proceeds, that combined with remaining funds from the Series 2017B Bonds and $1 million+ in borrower equity, will fund predevelopment costs associated with the Phase II.
With Sims’ leadership and the collaborative work of SearsStone’s senior management team, Board, Management Company (Retirement Living Associates), Developer (Greenbrier) and the financing working group, SearStone successfully completed the financing and obtained bondholder consent to issue the proposed debt; secured sufficient pre-development capital to pursue Phase II; and provided covenant relief and maintained sufficient operating, financial and strategic flexibility to implement the future expansion to optimize its campus.
“SearStone has once again benefitted from the superb leadership of Aaron Rulnick and the Sims team. Our financing would have been challenging in any environment, but we were facing a tight time-frame in a market shut-down by COVID. Sims worked tirelessly and creatively to overcome obstacles, and we are so pleased with the result. SearStone can continue to pursue the Highview Expansion project, which will right-size and optimize our campus, with the financial resources and flexibility we need to be successful,” said Stan Brading, President, Samaritan Housing Foundation, Inc.
Financed Right® Solutions: Aaron Rulnick: 203-418-9008 | [email protected] or Tom Bowden:-804-398-8577 | [email protected].
HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm, headquartered in Fairfield, CT, with nationwide locations. www.hjsims.com. Investments involve risk, including loss of principal. This is not an offer to sell or buy any investment. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Member FINRA, SIPC. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Twitter.
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HJ Sims completes innovative dual bank senior – supplemental debt financing for Encore on the Lake. This new middle market independent living campus is a planned 80-unit Independent Living Community to be constructed on a 6.8 acre site in North Strabane Township, Washington County, PA.
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HJ Sims successfully completes $6.6 million of Tax-exempt and Taxable Revenue Bonds to position Samaritan Housing Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Searstone Retirement Community, a life plan community located in Cary, NC, for accretive Phase II.
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HJ Sims Provides Acquisition Financing for a Skilled Nursing Healthcare Community in California
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