Freddie Mac HUD Section 8 Financing
Freddie Mac's HUD Section 8 financing program offers non-recourse loans with 10-30 year terms for LIHTC properties, and 5-15 year terms for non-LIHTC properties, LTVs up to 90%, DSCRs as low as 1.15x, and amortizations up to 35 years.
Better Financing Starts with More Options$1.2M offered by a Bank at 6.0%$2M offered by an Agency at 5.6%$1M offered by a Credit Union at 5.1%Click Here to Get QuotesFreddie Mac-Insured Loans for Section 8 Properties
Housing Assistance Program Project-Based Contract or Tenant-Based Voucher Properties
Owning and operating Section 8 properties can be both challenging and incredibly financially rewarding — and, if you're an investor or developer who's ready to expand your portfolio of affordable properties, a Freddie Mac HUD Section 8 Loan could be the perfect solution. Freddie Mac's HUD Section 8 financing program offers 10- to 30-year loan terms for LIHTC properties, and five- to 15-year loan terms for non-LIHTC properties. Plus, these loans have maximum LTV allowances of up to 90% and minimum DSCR requirements of as low as 1.15x (for LIHTC properties), and up to 80% maximum LTV allowances and as low as 1.20x DSCR (for non-LIHTC properties.) Freddie Mac HUD Section 8 Loans are also non-recourse and are available for eligible mixed-use properties.
To learn more, check out Freddie Mac’s official HUD Section 8 Financing Product Sheet or keep reading below for an in-depth explanation of the Freddie Mac HUD Section 8 Loan program.
Sample Freddie Mac Terms For HUD Section 8 Loans in 2023
Size: Varies
Terms:
- For cash loans: Five-year minimum, 15-year maximum
- For tax-exempt financing: 10-year minimum, 30-year maximum
Amortization: Up to 30 years for cash loans, up to 35 years for tax-exempt financing
Maximum LTV: 80% for non-Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, 90% for LIHTC properties
Minimum DSCR:
Properties with Section 8 Housing Assistance Program (HAP) contracts in above average markets, with physical vacancies of 5% or less: 1.20x
Properties with new LIHTC credits: 1.15x
Some excess rent may be underwritten for above market long-term LIHTC contracts
Prepayment Options: Defeasance for non-LIHTC properties, yield maintenance for LIHTC properties
Eligible Borrowers: Need previous Section 8 ownership/management experience
Eligible Properties: High-rise properties, mid-rise properties, and garden apartment properties. Must have a Section 8 project-based contract or voucher.
Sellers/Servicers:
Cash loans with Section 8 project-based contracts: Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) and Freddie Mac Multifamily Approved Conventional Sellers
Cash loans with Section 8 tenant based vouchers: Freddie Mac Multifamily Approved Conventional Sellers
Tax-exempt financing: TAH sellers only
Section 8 Subsidies:
Eligible Section 8 subsidies include:
Project-based subsidies: Rental assistance tied to a specific property. Properties get cash payments determined by the number of tenants living in eligible units.
Tenant-based subsidies: Rental assistance tied to a specific tenant, not a specific property. Properties get cash payments determined by the number of qualifying occupants-- i.e. those with vouchers. Vouchers include:
Regular vouchers: Most vouchers are regular vouchers, which limit payments to HUD's fair market rent in the particular area where the property is located.
Enhanced vouchers: Enhanced Section 8 vouchers are provided to tenants living in properties that used to receive project-based subsidies, including properties where the owner has either determined to leave the Section 8 program, or has prepaid their government-insured mortgage. For tenants living in these properties, enhanced vouchers help them pay for rent increases — which means these vouchers are typically based on the actual rent of the property.
Subordinate Financing: Permitted with additional requirements and analysis
Advantages
Very competitive interest rates
Loans are non-recourse
Certain mixed-use properties are eligible
Disadvantages
Typically requires third-party reports, including appraisal, Phase I Environmental Assessment, and physical condition assessment
Requires application fees, commitment fees, and other fees