Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Conscious Investment Management on affordable housing debt financing

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) has advised Conscious Investment Management (CIM) on its debt financing of St George Community Housing’s (SGCH) acquisition of 102 newly built affordable housing dwellings in Box Hill, Melbourne, delivered under a turnkey arrangement.

SGCH is a leading community housing provider committed to delivering high-quality, safe and sustainable affordable housing, addressing the urgent need for long-term housing solutions across the community. It will take full ownership and ongoing operational responsibility for the homes.

CIM is a dedicated impact investment fund manager whose vision is to unlock the power of mainstream investment markets to fund assets that create positive social and environmental impact.

The financing was supported by the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator, and marks a significant contribution to increasing the supply of affordable housing in Box Hill, a suburb where 44% of renters are experiencing housing stress. The dwellings are expected to provide housing to over 200 people.

The HSF Kramer team was led by Finance Partner Lucy McCullagh. Real Estate Partner David Sinn, Senior Associates Josh Todd and Tom O’Sullivan, and Solicitor Mackenzie De Bortoli also advised on the transaction.

Commenting on the transaction, Ms McCullagh said, “We’re pleased to have supported CIM on the debt financing of this SGCH project, and look forward to seeing the positive impact this development will have in expanding access to affordable housing.”

HSF Kramer has a long history of supporting clients to deliver social and affordable housing projects. Other recent examples include advising:

• Foundation Housing on $280 million HAFF funding to deliver more social and affordable homes in WA
• Community housing providers and other organisations in relation to funding from Housing Australia under the first funding round for the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFF)
• A consortium comprising QIC and the Brisbane Housing Company on the development and implementation of new projects under the Queensland Housing Investment Fund to deliver 600 new social and affordable homes.
• Lighthouse Infrastructure Management Limited on its investment with St George Community Housing for the delivery of key worker accommodation in Western Sydney
• Department of Community & Justice and NSW Treasury in relation to the establishment of the A$1.1 billion NSW Social and Affordable Housing Fund for the procurement of social and affordable housing in NSW, and on the financing aspects of the completion of transactions for the first and second stages of the fund
• Victorian Government Department of Treasury and Finance and Homes Victoria on the financing and delivery of social and affordable housing projects in Victoria, including under the Low Interest Loan Program