Affordable Housing Lending

Hi all, I am in the early stages of interviewing with a lender in the affordable housing space. The company is a nonprofit CDFI. I would be working on LIHTC and New Market Tax Credit transactions. Main job duties would be underwriting acquisition/predev, construction and term loans for LIHTC projects and community facilities (charter schools, health clinics, etc). Other duties would include business development and some loan closing responsibilities.

I am curious if this job would cause me to be pigeonholed to the lending side of the LIHTC world? Long term, I am more interested in working in development or for a tax credit syndicator, but this position does interest me. My personal background: I’ve been in the affordable housing world for close to five years. I spent 1.5 years with an accounting and consulting firm in the industry, and I currently work for a state housing agency on the underwriting side. I have been in my current role for close to 3.5 years. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Based on the context provided, it seems like you have a solid background in the affordable housing sector. Working with a lender in the affordable housing space, especially on LIHTC and New Market Tax Credit transactions, could provide you with valuable experience and insights.

However, it's important to note that while this role could potentially enhance your understanding of the financial aspects of affordable housing projects, it might not necessarily provide you with the hands-on development experience that you're interested in for the long term.

In the LIHTC world, developers and syndicators often look for individuals who have a track record working with the program, a predevelopment capital source, and enough guarantee capacity to satisfy the investor. They also value the ability to navigate the complexities of LIHTC financing.

If your long-term goal is to work in development or for a tax credit syndicator, you might want to consider seeking opportunities that allow you to gain direct experience in these areas. However, a role in lending could still be a valuable stepping stone, especially if it allows you to deepen your understanding of the financial mechanisms that underpin affordable housing projects.

Remember, every step in your career journey can offer valuable lessons and experiences. It's all about how you leverage them to reach your ultimate goal. Good luck!

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

I’ve been in the affordable housing world for close to five years. I spent 1.5 years with an accounting and consulting firm in the industry, and I currently work for a state housing agency on the underwriting side. I have been in my current role for close to 3.5 years. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think the lending role will pigeonhole you, but as a general rule I feel like the longer you spend in the affordable world, the harder it will be to move elsewhere.  If you want to stay in and around LIHTC, then working for a lender won't prevent you from moving anywhere else within the industry - but it might make it tough to go build supertall condo buildings at Extell, for example.

However, any LIHTC developer I've ever met would love to hire someone with a diverse background like yours.  I wouldn't sweat it, and being on the lending side will give you a good new perspective on LIHTC

 

Maiores reiciendis est non soluta. Sapiente porro architecto veniam illum repellat vel quo.

Ut temporibus ea sed quisquam sed omnis assumenda. Corrupti quisquam ratione facere ipsa distinctio magni voluptate. Odit magni molestiae rerum quod et non nihil nesciunt. Amet distinctio maiores voluptas at natus est. Quia dolor qui soluta minus nulla voluptates.

Eligendi et sit nihil quis deserunt. Sed omnis inventore est atque odit et necessitatibus cum. Consectetur excepturi in fugiat laborum aspernatur distinctio. Perspiciatis necessitatibus qui necessitatibus exercitationem voluptas.

Voluptas deleniti voluptas architecto aut maxime quisquam quis. Molestiae fugit vitae qui autem placeat. Minima mollitia placeat enim ipsam voluptatem est eum. Illum facere optio laboriosam fuga eos voluptate. Sed autem sunt et officia soluta ex possimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • Lincoln International 01 99.6%
  • Lazard Freres (++) 99.1%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.7%
  • William Blair 12 98.3%
  • Financial Technology Partners 02 97.8%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • William Blair 04 99.6%
  • Lincoln International 10 99.1%
  • Moelis & Company 25 98.7%
  • Stephens Inc 11 98.3%
  • Jefferies & Company 08 97.8%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • Lincoln International 01 99.6%
  • Lazard Freres 17 99.1%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.7%
  • Financial Technology Partners 06 98.3%
  • UBS AG 16 97.8%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (6) $592
  • Vice President (34) $390
  • Associates (167) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (15) $187
  • 2nd Year Analyst (106) $168
  • Intern/Summer Associate (48) $167
  • 1st Year Analyst (322) $166
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (234) $95
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”