Wells Fargo Provides a $531 Billion Loan to Refinance Starrett City

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(NEW YORK, NY) -- According to a prepared statement, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) are announcing the closing of a $531,485,000 Freddie Mac Capital Markets Execution loan for Spring Creek Towers, more commonly known as Starrett City, located in Brooklyn, New York.

Originally built as a Mitchell-Lama rental in the 1970s, Starrett City has provided high quality, safe, affordable housing in New York City for approximately 35 years. Through this innovative refinancing, the owners of the property, Starrett City Associates, will be able to extend the affordability of all of the units for another 30 years. Freddie Mac has committed to purchase the loan, which Wells Fargo originated, on the country's largest federally-assisted property.

The development, which houses more than 12,000 residents in 46 buildings, is located on 140 acres of landscaped grounds. It is a full and vibrant community, with programs for early education, after-school, teens, parents and seniors. There is also a state-of-the-art health and fitness facility, the Brooklyn Sports Club, as well as several schools, community centers and parks, parking garages and an onsite power plant.

"This was a large and complex transaction, which required cooperation among numerous government agencies and private companies to bring to closing. We appreciate Wells Fargo and Freddie Mac working with us to complete this financing which preserves affordability for our tenants for 30 more years," said Robert Poll, president of Starrett City, Inc.

Over the past several years, many buildings originally developed under the affordable Mitchell-Lama program began the process of opting out of the program and converting to market rate rentals. When a Mitchell-Lama converts from affordable to market rent, many low to moderate income tenants are displaced. As a result of this refinancing, affordability has been maintained and over $40 million will be reserved for capital improvements to the already well-maintained complex.

"We are proud to be part of such an important development. By working together with government officials from HUD, New York State and New York City, this loan has met Starrett City Associates' needs while keeping 5,881 units affordable to New York City residents," said Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital managing director Alan Wiener, who oversaw the transaction.

"The refinancing is a winning situation for the thousands of families who call Starrett City home. It puts to rest current residents' fears that the property would be sold, rents would increase and they would be forced to find alternative housing," stated Mike May, senior vice president of Multifamily for Freddie Mac. "We are proud of how all parties worked together to help ensure that the property remains affordable."

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