Proposed Ordinance - 2/18/20221
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF SALT LAKE CITY
RESOLUTION NO. _____________
Amending and Restating the Housing Development Loan Program Policy to Direct
Review of Applications to the RDA Finance Committee
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY OF SALT LAKE CITY AMENDING AND RESTATING THE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM POLICY TO DIRECT REVIEW OF
APPLICATIONS TO THE RDA FINANCE COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2021, pursuant to Resolution No. R-7-2021, the Board
of Directors of the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City (“Board”) passed the
Housing Development Loan Program (“2021 Policy, attached to this resolution as
Attachment A), which centralized the application, underwriting, and approval process
across all funding sources identified in the Housing Allocation Funds Policy, providing a
one-stop-shop for community partners to access resources for the development and
preservation of affordable housing.
WHEREAS, the Board now desires to amend the 2021 Policy to direct review of
applications to the RDA Finance Committee. A redline version of the 2021 Policy is attached
to this resolution as Attachment B.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF SALT LAKE CITY, that the Housing
Development Loan Program Policy, adopted pursuant to Resolution R-7-2021, is hereby
amended and restated to read as follows:
1.PURPOSE
The purpose of the Housing Development Loan Program (“HDLP”) is to provide low
cost financial assistance to incentivize the development and preservation of affordable
housing within Salt Lake City municipal boundaries. The HDLP shall provide a
centralized application, underwriting, and approval process regardless of the fund
source.
2.INTENT
The Board intends that funds allocated through the HDLP:
a.Provide a mix of affordable housing, serving a range of households and income
levels, consistent with income limits and affordability requirements for each fund
source, to promote housing opportunity and choice throughout the City for
household sizes ranging from single persons to families.
b.Foster a mix of household incomes in projects and neighborhoods and to disperse
affordable housing projects throughout the City to encourage a balance of
incomes in all neighborhoods and communities.
ATTACHMENT A: RESOLUTION
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c.Promote equity and anti-displacement efforts through the development and
preservation of affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods where
underserved groups have historic ties, including neighborhoods where low
income individuals and families are at high risk of displacement.
d.Contribute to the development of sustainable, walkable neighborhoods to expand
housing choice near transportation, services, and economic opportunity.
e.Support an array of scale of project types, including detached housing, accessory
dwelling units, rowhouses, and small to large scale multifamily buildings, that
contribute to neighborhood context and livability.
f.Incorporate green-building elements and energy efficiency to lower housing
expenses, conserve resources, and promote resiliency.
g.Leverage private and non-city funding sources to ensure the greatest number of
quality affordable housing units are preserved or produced.
h.Be provided as loans that are repaid over time and not grants, forgivable loans,
or indefinitely deferred loans.
3.SOURCE OF FUNDS
HDLP activities shall be funded through a combination of fund sources (collectively the
“Housing Funds”) as established through the Funds Policy. Funding allocations shall be
administered through the HDLP to a project directly from an individual fund source with
revenues, expenditures, interest, payments, and repayments accounted for from the fund
source.
Each of the individual fund sources that comprise the Housing Funds operates under
separate state or local laws and regulations. Laws and regulations include restrictions on
the incomes of households served, maximum allowable rents, and eligible activities.
4.ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS
As further described in the Funds Policy, the RDA shall present an Annual Housing
Development Funding Strategy (“Funding Strategy”) prior to the annual budget process
that shall include proposed funding priorities and revenues to be administered through
the HDLP for the next fiscal year. The Board shall consider the Funding Strategy as part
of the annual budget adoption process.
5.FUNDING PRIORITIES
To provide flexibility to address current needs and policies, funding priorities will be
proposed on an annual basis through the Funding Strategy, subject to approval by the
Board. Funding priorities shall align with policies as adopted by the Board and Salt Lake
City Council including the Housing Plan, Project Area Plans, RDA Guiding Framework,
and Funds Policy.
6.FUNDS ADMINISTRATION PROCESS
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Funding shall be administered through a transparent notice of funding availability
(“NOFA”) process and shall incorporate the funding priorities as determined annually
by the Board. Funds from multiple fund sources may be combined into a consolidated
NOFA or a NOFA may be issued from one fund source. NOFAs may be offered on an
annual basis or multiple times per year and can be competitive or open-ended depending
on availability of funds, priorities, and demand.
7. BASIC ELIGIBILITY
Projects eligible for funding through the HDLP shall at a minimum meet these basic
eligibility requirements, as well as specific requirements that may be set forth in
individual NOFAs as they are issued.
a. Applicant Types: Eligible applicants include entities and organizations with
affordable housing development experience, as follows:
i. For-profit corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, or sole proprietors.
ii. Private incorporated non-profit agencies with IRS 501(c) designation.
iii. Public housing agencies or units of local government.
b. Project Types: The new construction or substantial rehabilitation of affordable,
mixed-use and/or mixed-income housing.
c. Uses of Funds: Land/property acquisition, hard construction costs, site
improvements, and related soft costs.
d. Area Median Income (“AMI”): AMI requirements shall reflect the policies and
regulations of the Housing Funds as defined through the Funds Policy.
e. Financing Gap: Projects shall demonstrate that RDA funding is necessary for the
project to succeed and that the request is reasonable. Applicants must obtain
commercial loans sized with the highest loan-to-value and lowest debt service
parameters that are commercially available in the marketplace and aggressively
pursue other funding sources to the fullest extent possible to minimize the HDLP
funding request.
f. Site Control: Evidence of site control must be demonstrated through ownership,
option, sale agreement, long-term lease, or equivalent.
g. Policies and Master Plans: Projects shall align with the Housing Plan, Project
Area Plans, Master Plans, and other applicable adopted plans and policies.
h. Good Standing: Applicants and affiliated entities must be in good standing on all
existing contracts administered by Salt Lake City, the RDA, Utah Housing
Corporation, and other State and local entities.
i. Relocation Plan (if applicable): Displacement is strongly discouraged. However,
if it is necessary and unavoidable, the developer must submit a relocation plan
that complies with applicable federal, state, and local policies for temporary or
permanent displacement.
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j.Design: Projects shall align with applicable design guidelines and comply with
all applicable Salt Lake City building and zoning codes and ordinances.
8.UNDERWRITING STANDARDS
Funding shall expand housing opportunities for low-and moderate-income households by
reducing a project’s financing cost. Flexibility shall be provided to accommodate a wide
range of projects that may be dependent upon myriad of underwriting standards by outside
lenders. With this flexibility in mind, funding shall generally be provided as loans
pursuant to the terms and conditions outlined in Exhibit A.
9.EVALUATION & APPROVAL PROCESS
For each issued NOFA, the RDA shall evaluate and consider applications for approval
as follows:
a.Eligibility Review: Funding applications shall be reviewed and evaluated in
detail by RDA staff based on the requirements listed herein, specific Housing
Funds requirements, and additional criteria published in the relevant NOFA.
b.RDA Finance Committee (“Committee”): For applications that meet the basic
eligibility requirements, applications and supporting materials shall be forwarded
to the Committee. The Committee will analyze and rank applications, as
applicable, based on the polices contained herein and the criteria published in the
NOFA. The Committee shall make a recommendation to the RDA Board for a
funding allocation.
c.RDA Board of Directors: The RDA Board of Directors shall make the final
selection of projects to receive a funding allocation.
d.Funding Commitment: The project funding process shall be carried out in two
subparts as follows:
i.Conditional Commitment Period: The RDA shall issue a Conditional
Commitment letter to those applications that are selected for a funding
allocation by the RDA Board. The Conditional Commitment letter between
the RDA and the applicant shall contain the covenants, terms and conditions
upon which the RDA may provide financial assistance to the proposed project
once financial, legal, and regulatory approvals are obtained.
ii.Firm Commitment & Loan Closing: Projects that successfully meet
conditions shall be invited to execute a Letter of Commitment that finalizes
the loan terms, subject to a set of conditions precedent to closing.
10.MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE
The RDA shall be required to monitor, or contract with a third party to monitor, the
projects funded through the HDLP. Monitoring shall evaluate and ensure that projects
are complying with affordability requirements and other requirements as determined in
the loan agreement.
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11.LOAN MODIFICATIONS
In the event of extenuating circumstances, the RDA may provide payment forbearance,
payment deferment, or loan write-down. Such adjustment to loan terms shall be
considered on a case-by-case basis and shall be subject to a thorough review of the
project’s financial standing and other relevant information. The process for providing
loan modifications shall be considered and authorized as follows:
a.Forbearance/Deferment: The Executive Director of the RDA may elect to
provide the Borrower a temporary forbearance or deferment of payment for up
to one (1) year. For periods of forbearance or deferment longer than one (1)
year, the Committee shall provide a recommendation that is forwarded to the
Board, who shall consider and act upon all such requests.
b.Loan Write-down: The Committee shall provide a recommendation that is
forwarded to the Board, who shall consider and act upon all such requests.
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EXHIBIT A: Standard Loan Terms and Conditions
Standard loan terms and conditions for I) Gap Financing: Rental Construction to Permanent,
II) Property Acquisition, and III) Gap Financing: Homeownership Construction are as
follows:
I. GAP FINANCING: RENTAL CONSTRUCTION TO PERMANENT
Limits to Assistance:
• Maximize Other Sources: Applicants must demonstrate that they have
maximized other available financing sources thereby limiting HDLP funding to
the lowest amount necessary to close the funding gap and assure project
feasibility.
• Loan to Value: A loan-to-value limit is not applicable. However, land and project
costs shall be reasonable as compared similar projects in size, scope, and
location.
• Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): Repayment terms for amortizing HDLP
loans will be calculated as described herein and will be based on a DSCR of 1.10
inclusive of the RDA’s loan and all senior debt.
• Cash Flow: For loans that qualify for a cash flow repayment structure, pursuant
to the standards contained herein, applicants must demonstrate that the HDLP
loan can be repaid within its scheduled term or at the end of the term.
• Proportion to Affordability: Funding shall be sized in proportion to the affordable
component, taking into consideration the AMI structure and number of units in
the project.
Repayment:
• Depending on the project’s capacity for repayment, loans may be repaid as an
amortized loan, a cash flow loan based on available cash flow, or a combination
of both types of loan.
o Amortized Loan: The RDA will determine what portion of its loan can be
paid on an amortized schedule with required payments using the DSCR
standards contained herein and the DSCR requirements of the senior
lender.
o Cash Flow Loan: If full amortization is not feasible due to limited cash
flow, funds shall be repaid from an agreed upon percentage split of
surplus cash flow. Cash flow loans shall be considered only for projects
that provide a high level of affordability, target a difficult to serve
population, or include other significant public benefit.
• At the RDA’s discretion, payments may not be required and interest may not
accrue or accrue at a reduced interest rate during the construction and lease-up
phase. Upon completion of construction, lease-up, project stabilization, or other
fixed date, loans shall begin to accrue interest and shall be subject to repayment.
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• Any accrued but unpaid interest and principal is due in full at loan maturity.
• Loans can be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty. Prepayment
does not end the affordability period before its original end date.
Term:
• RDA loan terms will generally match the term of permanent senior debt,
generally up to a maximum of 30-years for projects with non-HUD financing and
up to a maximum of 40 years for projects with HUD financing.
• Commencement of the loan term and/or repayment period may be deferred for a
period of time to allow for completion of construction and lease-up phase.
Interest Rate:
• Base Interest Rate: The base interest rate shall be as follows:
o Amortized Loans: The current U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate for the
loan term plus 1%, locked in within a month of loan closing, with a
maximum base interest rate of 3%. The interest rate for loans with a term
longer than 30 years will utilize the 30-year U.S. Treasury Yield Curve
Rate in this calculation.
o Cash Flow Loans: The current U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate for the
loan term plus 2%, locked in within a month of loan closing, with a
maximum base interest rate of 4%. The interest rate for loans with a term
longer than 30 years will utilize the 30-year U.S. Treasury Yield Curve
Rate in this calculation.
• Interest will accrue as simple interest.
• Funding Priority Incentives: Projects shall have the ability to reduce the Base
Interest Rate if the project meets the current funding priorities as established
annually pursuant to the Funds Policy. For each funding priority met, the project
is eligible to receive a .5% reduction from the Base Interest Rate, with the ability
to reduce the interest rate to a minimum of 1%.
• Interest rates are subject to an adjustment, of up a 1% deviation, based on project
cash flow and debt coverage ratio calculated at time of application and
underwriting.
Affordability Restriction:
• A restriction shall be recorded against the property that requires continued use of
the specified units as affordable housing for at least the same period as the senior
financing or a minimum of 30 years, whichever is greater. Both a rent and income
restriction shall be included to limit the maximum rent that can be charged for a
unit and to require that the unit be made available only to households with
qualifying incomes.
Subordination to Senior Debt:
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• HDLP loans may be subordinated to leverage private financing, with the priority
among subsidy lenders typically established based upon size of the loans.
Security:
• Adequate security shall be required, generally in the form of a deed of trust,
promissory note, and guarantees.
Developer Fee:
• Given the rent restrictions on affordable housing projects, affordable housing
developments typically do not have substantial cash flow after debt service on
their primary loans. As such, developer fees are recognized as a significant part
of the income on which affordable housing organizations depend for their
operations. For projects utilizing a low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”)
program, the calculation to determine a maximum developer fee shall be
consistent with Utah Housing Corporation’s policy, which caps the maximum
developer fee. The maximum developer fee for projects not utilizing LIHTC will
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in the context of the proportion of affordable
units and AMIs.
Borrower Contribution:
• Borrowers shall contribute a source of financing to the project, whether through
an equity contribution or a deferred developer fee or a combination of both. The
level of borrower contribution will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will
be evaluated based on the type of ownership entity and level of public benefit
provided by the project.
• For Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) projects that are requesting a
cash flow loan, the borrower shall maximize the amount of deferred developer
fee allowed under Utah Housing Corporation’s standards to be allowed in tax
credit basis and acceptable for their tax credit investor in that this amount must
be payable within a time frame allowed by the LIHTC program as approved by
the project’s tax counsel.
• Projects that have not maximized a developer fee, pursuant to the standards
contained herein, or that serve lower AMIs or special populations, su ch as
permanent supportive housing, may have the ability to waive the borrower
contribution.
Disbursement of Funds:
• Funding shall be disbursed as construction draws evidenced by supporting
documentation demonstrating that work has been completed and that the project
is in good financial and legal standing.
Other
• Loans are non-assumable without written permission from the RDA.
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II. PROPERTY ACQUISITION
Limits to Assistance:
• Maximize Other Sources: Applicants must demonstrate that they have
maximized other available financing sources thereby limiting HDLP funding to
the lowest amount necessary to close the funding gap and assure project
feasibility.
• Loan to Value: Loans will be sized to a loan-to-value limit of 90% of the as-is
appraised value inclusive of the RDA’s loan and all senior debt.
Repayment:
• Depending on the applicant’s capacity for repayment, loans may be repaid as a
deferred or interest-only loan.
• Any accrued but unpaid interest and principal is due in full at loan maturity.
• Loans can be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty. Prepayment
does not end the affordability period before its original end date.
Term:
• The maximum loan term shall be 24-months with the ability for one 12-month
extension if the project is demonstrating a progression toward construction.
Interest Rate:
• Base Interest Rate: The base interest rate shall be the current U.S. Treasury Yield
for the loan term plus 2.5%, locked in within a month of loan closing, with a
maximum base interest rate of 3%.
• Interest will accrue as simple interest.
• Funding Priority Incentives: Projects shall have the ability to reduce the Base
Interest Rate if the project meets the current funding priorities as established
pursuant to the Funds Policy. For each funding priority met, the project is eligible
to receive a .5% reduction from the Base Interest Rate, with the ability to reduce
the interest rate to a minimum of 1%.
• Interest shall accrue on all loan proceeds disbursed commencing on the date of
disbursement.
• Interest rates are subject to an adjustment, of up a 1% deviation, based on project
cash flow and debt coverage ratio calculated at time of application and
underwriting.
Affordability Restriction:
• A restriction shall be recorded against the property that requires continued use of
the specified units as affordable housing for at least the same period as the senior
financing or a minimum of 30 years, whichever is greater. Both a rent and income
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restriction shall be included to limit the maximum rent that can be charged for a
unit and to require that the unit be made available only to households with
qualifying incomes.
Subordination to Senior Debt:
•HDLP loans may be subordinated to leverage private financing, with the priority
among subsidy lenders is typically established based upon size of the loans.
Security:
•Adequate security shall be required, generally in the form of a deed of trust,
promissory note, and guarantees.
Developer Fee:
•Developer fees are not an eligible cost for a property acquisition loan.
Disbursement of Funds:
•Funding may be disbursed at loan closing.
Other
•Loans are non-assumable without written permission from the RDA.
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III. GAP FINANCING: HOMEOWNERSHIP CONSTRUCTION
Limits to Assistance:
• Maximize Other Sources: Applicants must demonstrate that they have
maximized other available financing sources thereby limiting HDLP funding to
the lowest amount necessary to close the funding gap and assure project
feasibility.
• Loan to Value: Loans will be sized to a loan-to-value limit of 90% of the as-is
appraised value inclusive of the RDA’s loan and all senior debt.
• Proportion to Affordability: Funding shall be sized in proportion to the affordable
component, taking into consideration the AMI structure and number of units in
the project.
Repayment:
• Loans shall be repaid from the sale of housing units in the project. HDLP funds
may be repaid after payout to senior loans have been accounted for.
• Any accrued but unpaid interest and principal is due in full at loan maturity.
• Loans can be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty.
Prepayment does not end the affordability period before its original end date.
Term:
• The maximum loan term shall be 36-months with the ability for one 12-month
extension if the project is demonstrating a progression toward completion.
Interest Rate:
• Base Interest Rate: The base interest rate shall be the current U.S. Treasury
Yield for the loan term plus 2.5%, locked in within a month of loan closing,
with a maximum base interest rate of 3%. Interest will accrue as simple interest.
• Funding Priority Incentives: Projects shall have the ability to reduce the Base
Interest Rate if the project meets the current funding priorities as established
pursuant to the Funds Policy. For each funding priority met, the project is
eligible to receive a .5% reduction from the Base Interest Rate, with the ability
to reduce the interest rate to a minimum of 1%.
• Interest shall accrue on all loan proceeds disbursed commencing on the date of
disbursement.
• Interest rates are subject to an adjustment, of up a 1% deviation, based on
project cash flow and debt coverage ratio calculated at time of application and
underwriting.
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Affordability Restriction:
• A restriction shall be recorded against the property that requires continued use of
the specified units as affordable housing for at least the same period as the senior
financing or a minimum of 15 years, whichever is greater. Both a sales price and
income restriction shall be included to limit the maximum sales price that can be
charged for a unit and to require that the unit be made available only to
households with qualifying incomes.
Subordination to Senior Debt:
• HDLP loans may be subordinated to leverage private financing, with the
priority among subsidy lenders is typically established based upon size of the
loans.
Security:
• Adequate security shall be required, generally in the form of a deed of trust,
promissory note, and guarantees.
Developer Fee:
• Maximum developer fees will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be
evaluated based on the affordability levels of the project, type of ownership
entity, and level of public benefit provided by the project.
Borrower Contribution:
• Borrowers shall contribute a source of financing to the project, whether through
an equity contribution or a deferred developer fee or a combination of both. The
level of borrower contribution will be considered on a case-by-case basis and
will be evaluated based on the affordability levels of the project, type of
ownership entity, and level of public benefit provided by the project.
• Deferred developer fees shall be paid after the HDLF loan has been fully
repaid.
Disbursement of Funds:
• Funding shall be disbursed as construction draws evidenced by supporting
documentation demonstrating that work has been completed and that the project
is in good financial and legal standing.
Other
• Loans are non-assumable without written permission from the RDA.
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Passed by the Board of Directors of the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, this
_______ day of ________________, 2022.
________________________________
Ana Valdemoros, Chair
Approved as to form: __________________________________
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:____________________________
The Executive Director:
____ does not request reconsideration
____ requests reconsideration at the next regular Agency meeting.
________________________________
Erin Mendenhall, Executive Director
Attest:
________________________
City Recorder
February 18, 2022