NEF's Innovative & Collaborative Solutions

Enacted in 1986, the federal low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) was created to advance the production and preservation of affordable housing. Each state allocates LIHTC to qualified affordable housing developers who then sell them to an investor, or to a tax-credit syndication fund made up of equity from one or from many investors. In return, the investors receive a credit against their federal income tax based on the size of their investments.

NEF’s pre-development lending team provides critical early financing to assist our partners in developing affordable housing. Targeted pre-development funds cover a variety of development expenses, from professional fees to acquisition, including the costs of tasks that need to be completed before construction closing.

NEF offers specialized financing solutions targeted to working individuals and families in the "missing middle" who are not income-eligible for LIHTC properties but struggle to find affordable housing options in neighborhoods close to job opportunities.  

NEF's experienced Preservation Lending team provides financing to multi-family property owners to help low-income families and individuals stay in their homes, and not be displaced as rents increase.

NEF has been a pioneer in permanent supportive housing since the very first days of LIHTC. Our supportive housing leaders are advocates for the most vulnerable individuals and families, experts in the planning and operation that goes into these developments and knowledgeable about government programs and policies that can help families and individuals to thrive.

State tax credits offer an essential additional resource for the affordable housing market—delivering benefits to both developers and investors while generating critical equity needed to deliver more affordable housing.