ELPN: Finance for Affordable Housing Closings: What lenders and investors need to underwrite your project and close without a hitch

Congratulations! You just got a tax credit award and have your financing sources lined up – now how do you finalize your budget and close on funding to start construction? Join ELPN and representatives from affordable housing financial consultants, lenders, and investors for a guide on what to think about to ensure you close before your deadline. We’ll discuss the process of updating and distributing your project’s financial projections, assembling due diligence items, and getting your financing team what they need to approve your project. This is a great opportunity for early and mid-career affordable housing developers, investors, and lenders to learn from experienced professionals in the field what makes for a smooth financial closing process and how to address challenges that may arise.

Learn more about our speakers below!

Abby Chiu, Community Development Banking, Executive Director, Chase Bank

Abby Chiu is a Credit Executive in Community Development Banking, at Chase Bank.  As part of a global financial services firm, Community Development Banking is a leader in providing financing solutions that benefit communities across the nation. The real estate lending team originates roughly $3 billion annually in construction and permanent debt products to develop and revitalize affordable housing properties throughout the Chase retail footprint.

Abby has been in the commercial real estate industry for over 20 years, with an emphasis in debt finance underwriting.  She has experience in affordable housing construction and permanent lending as well as in market rate & commercial real estate asset classes.  Abby received a B.S. from University of California, Irvine and M.B.A from the University of Southern California.

Diana Downton, Senior Affordable Housing Consultant, Community Economics

Founded in 1976, Community Economics (CEI) provides technical expertise in the field of nonprofit, community-based affordable housing finance and development. Diana Downton joined CEI in 2014, bringing with her 14 years of previous experience in affordable housing development, advocacy, and local government housing finance. Prior to joining CEI, she worked for the City of Oakland’s Housing and Community Development Department serving as the lead staff for the City’s affordable housing development Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process, and providing financing for a wide variety of affordable housing rental and ownership projects including new construction and rehabilitation of family, senior, and special needs housing.

Diana has also worked as a Project Manager at the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, where she was responsible for the rehabilitations of special needs housing developments. She has been active in local housing advocacy organizations, including East Bay Housing Organizations and as a staff member at the Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California.

Diana received a master’s in city and regional planning from Rutgers University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in community studies from UC Santa Cruz.

Sara Erickson, Underwriter, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments

Sara has 20+ years of experience in real estate development, investment, and community building.  Sara started her career in private equity commercial real estate investment at Somera Capital Partners, responsible for investor relations and asset management. She then worked at Sansome Pacific Properties, an owner and operator of commercial real estate, wearing a multitude of different hats that included acquisitions, development, and property/asset management.  In 2013, Sara transitioned into affordable and homeless housing development and has worked at Christian Church Homes, Resources for Community Development, Charities Housing, and People’s Self-Help Housing.  Sara recently joined Enterprise Community Investment on the Acquisitions team as an underwriter.  Based out of Santa Barbara, Sara is passionate about affordable housing and ending homelessness. In her free time, Sara loves being active outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

David Eisenman, Senior Acquisitions Manager, Merritt Community Capital

David is a Senior Acquisitions Manager at Oakland-based Merritt Community Capital Corporation, a non-profit tax credit syndicator which has invested more than $1.2 billion to create and preserve over 11,000 affordable homes across California. David joined Merritt in 2020, bringing over nine years of experience at the intersection of public and private real estate and finance in both California and New York. David began his career in the public sector, working on public-private real estate transactions for the City of New York. Prior to joining Merritt, David also worked on high-rise residential projects in San Francisco and Manhattan. He earned his MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Urban Studies from Yale University.