Safehold Closes $45M Ground Lease for Affordable Housing Development in California
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 23 2026
0mins
Safehold has closed on a $45M ground lease for the development of an Affordable Housing community in the Soquel area of Santa Cruz, California. Santa Cruz is a vibrant coastal community located along the Monterey Bay, with significant unmet demand for high quality Affordable Housing. The project will be developed by The Pacific Companies, a prolific development firm and repeat Safehold customer. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit development will provide a total of 256 units upon delivery in 2028. Wells Fargo and Citi Community Capital provided both construction financing and tax credit equity, with Citi providing permanent financing for the project. The project represents Safehold's second recent Affordable Housing ground lease in the Santa Cruz area and is part of a broader effort to expand the firm's focus on the Affordable sector.
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Analyst Views on SAFE
Wall Street analysts forecast SAFE stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 15.960
Low
14.00
Averages
18.00
High
28.00
Current: 15.960
Low
14.00
Averages
18.00
High
28.00
About SAFE
Safehold Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company helps owners of multifamily, office, industrial, hospitality, student housing, life science and mixed-use properties to generate higher returns. The Company operates its business through one reportable segment by acquiring, managing and capitalizing ground leases. Its primary investment objective is to construct a diversified portfolio of Ground Leases that is focused on generating attractive quality risk-adjusted returns and support stable and growing distributions to its shareholders. The Company’s portfolio consists of Ground Leases and one master lease (relating to five hotel assets that it refers to as its Park Hotels Portfolio). Its portfolio of properties is located across Manhattan; Washington, District of Columbia (DC); Boston; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Denver; Honolulu; Nashville; Miami and Atlanta.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Safehold Closes Ground Lease for Affordable Housing in Texas
- New Ground Lease: Safehold Inc. has closed a ground lease in Austin, Texas, for the development of an Affordable Housing community comprising 336 units, set to deliver in 2028, demonstrating the company's ongoing expansion in the affordable housing market.
- Collaboration with NRP Group: The project is being developed by The NRP Group, one of the most active affordable housing developers in the U.S., marking Safehold's second collaboration with NRP in Austin this year, thereby strengthening their strategic partnership.
- Innovative Lease Structure: Safehold has established an innovative ground lease structure tailored for the Texas market, aiming to support high-quality development projects with capital, thus facilitating the construction of affordable housing to meet rising housing demands.
- Market Potential: Located in a high-growth area of northeast Austin, the project benefits from strong long-term fundamentals and demand for quality housing products, which is expected to provide Safehold with stable income and capital appreciation.
See More
Safehold Closes Ground Lease for Affordable Housing in Texas
- Project Scale: Safehold's ground lease agreement in Austin, Texas, will support the development of 336 affordable housing units, expected to be delivered in 2028, demonstrating the company's proactive contribution to addressing housing needs.
- Partnership: The development is executed by NRP Group, one of the most active affordable housing developers in the U.S., marking Safehold's second collaboration with NRP, further solidifying their strategic alliance in the affordable housing market.
- Market Potential: Located in a high-growth area of northeast Austin, the project benefits from strong long-term fundamentals and demand for high-quality housing, indicating Safehold's pursuit of long-term investment opportunities in rapidly developing markets.
- Financial Support: The development is backed by tax credit equity from Huntington Bank and construction and permanent financing arranged by Berkadia, ensuring the project's financial stability and feasibility.
See More
Safehold Closes $45M Ground Lease for Affordable Housing
- Ground Lease Transaction: Safehold announced the closing of a $45 million ground lease aimed at developing an affordable housing community in Santa Cruz, California, which is set to deliver 256 units by 2028, addressing local housing needs.
- Development Partnership: The project will be developed by The Pacific Companies, utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for financing, demonstrating the company's commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development.
- Financing Support: Construction financing and tax credit equity are provided by Wells Fargo and Citi Community Capital, ensuring stable funding for the project and reducing investment risks.
- Long-Term Financing Arrangement: Citi is also providing permanent financing for the project, further strengthening the financial structure and ensuring good liquidity for future operations.
See More
Safehold Closes $45 Million Ground Lease for Affordable Housing Development
- Ground Lease Size: Safehold Inc. has closed a $45 million ground lease in the Soquel area of Santa Cruz, California, aimed at developing a 256-unit affordable housing community to address the significant unmet demand for high-quality affordable housing in the region.
- Development Partnership: The project will be developed by The Pacific Companies, a prolific development firm, which deepens Safehold's strategic relationship in the affordable housing sector, highlighting its commitment to this market.
- Financing Structure: Construction financing and tax credit equity are provided by Wells Fargo and Citi Community Capital, with Citi also offering permanent financing, showcasing a diversified financing approach that helps advance the project amid high interest rates and construction costs.
- Market Positioning: This ground lease marks Safehold's second affordable housing project in the Santa Cruz area, indicating the company's proactive expansion in the affordable housing sector to meet the ongoing demand for accessible housing solutions.
See More
Safehold Inc. Completes $225 Million Note Offering
- Bond Offering Size: Safehold Inc. announced the signing of a definitive note purchase agreement through its operating company, Safehold GL Holdings LLC, successfully issuing $225 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2056, reflecting the company's strong performance in capital markets.
- Interest Rate Structure: The bond features a stair-step interest rate structure starting at 4.00% and increasing to 6.615% over 21 years, which not only helps reduce initial financing costs but also provides higher returns in the future.
- Use of Proceeds: The company plans to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including repaying borrowings under its unsecured revolver, increasing investments in ground leases, and providing working capital, demonstrating a proactive approach to future investments.
- Market Participation: The bond offering attracted participation from both U.K. and U.S. investors, indicating an increasing recognition of Safehold in international capital markets and laying a solid foundation for the company's future financing activities.
See More
Safehold Inc. Signs $225 Million Note Purchase Agreement
- Bond Issuance Size: Safehold Inc. announced a definitive note purchase agreement for a total of $225 million in senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2056, demonstrating the company's strong financing capability in the capital markets.
- Interest Rate Structure Advantage: The bond features a stair-step interest rate structure starting at 4.00% and increasing to 6.615% over 21 years, which will aid the company in maintaining flexibility and predictability in future financial planning.
- Clear Use of Proceeds: Safehold intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including repaying borrowings under its unsecured revolver and increasing investments in ground leases, reflecting the company's strategic planning for capital utilization.
- Market Participation: The bond offering attracted participation from both U.K. and U.S. investors, indicating an increasing recognition and influence of Safehold in the international capital markets, which will facilitate future financing activities.
See More
Safehold Closes Ground Lease for Affordable Housing in Texas
- New Ground Lease: Safehold Inc. has closed a ground lease in Austin, Texas, for the development of an Affordable Housing community comprising 336 units, set to deliver in 2028, demonstrating the company's ongoing expansion in the affordable housing market.
- Collaboration with NRP Group: The project is being developed by The NRP Group, one of the most active affordable housing developers in the U.S., marking Safehold's second collaboration with NRP in Austin this year, thereby strengthening their strategic partnership.
- Innovative Lease Structure: Safehold has established an innovative ground lease structure tailored for the Texas market, aiming to support high-quality development projects with capital, thus facilitating the construction of affordable housing to meet rising housing demands.
- Market Potential: Located in a high-growth area of northeast Austin, the project benefits from strong long-term fundamentals and demand for quality housing products, which is expected to provide Safehold with stable income and capital appreciation.
See More
Safehold Closes Ground Lease for Affordable Housing in Texas
- Project Scale: Safehold's ground lease agreement in Austin, Texas, will support the development of 336 affordable housing units, expected to be delivered in 2028, demonstrating the company's proactive contribution to addressing housing needs.
- Partnership: The development is executed by NRP Group, one of the most active affordable housing developers in the U.S., marking Safehold's second collaboration with NRP, further solidifying their strategic alliance in the affordable housing market.
- Market Potential: Located in a high-growth area of northeast Austin, the project benefits from strong long-term fundamentals and demand for high-quality housing, indicating Safehold's pursuit of long-term investment opportunities in rapidly developing markets.
- Financial Support: The development is backed by tax credit equity from Huntington Bank and construction and permanent financing arranged by Berkadia, ensuring the project's financial stability and feasibility.
See More
Safehold Closes $45M Ground Lease for Affordable Housing
- Ground Lease Transaction: Safehold announced the closing of a $45 million ground lease aimed at developing an affordable housing community in Santa Cruz, California, which is set to deliver 256 units by 2028, addressing local housing needs.
- Development Partnership: The project will be developed by The Pacific Companies, utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for financing, demonstrating the company's commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development.
- Financing Support: Construction financing and tax credit equity are provided by Wells Fargo and Citi Community Capital, ensuring stable funding for the project and reducing investment risks.
- Long-Term Financing Arrangement: Citi is also providing permanent financing for the project, further strengthening the financial structure and ensuring good liquidity for future operations.
See More
Safehold Closes $45 Million Ground Lease for Affordable Housing Development
- Ground Lease Size: Safehold Inc. has closed a $45 million ground lease in the Soquel area of Santa Cruz, California, aimed at developing a 256-unit affordable housing community to address the significant unmet demand for high-quality affordable housing in the region.
- Development Partnership: The project will be developed by The Pacific Companies, a prolific development firm, which deepens Safehold's strategic relationship in the affordable housing sector, highlighting its commitment to this market.
- Financing Structure: Construction financing and tax credit equity are provided by Wells Fargo and Citi Community Capital, with Citi also offering permanent financing, showcasing a diversified financing approach that helps advance the project amid high interest rates and construction costs.
- Market Positioning: This ground lease marks Safehold's second affordable housing project in the Santa Cruz area, indicating the company's proactive expansion in the affordable housing sector to meet the ongoing demand for accessible housing solutions.
See More
Safehold Inc. Completes $225 Million Note Offering
- Bond Offering Size: Safehold Inc. announced the signing of a definitive note purchase agreement through its operating company, Safehold GL Holdings LLC, successfully issuing $225 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2056, reflecting the company's strong performance in capital markets.
- Interest Rate Structure: The bond features a stair-step interest rate structure starting at 4.00% and increasing to 6.615% over 21 years, which not only helps reduce initial financing costs but also provides higher returns in the future.
- Use of Proceeds: The company plans to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including repaying borrowings under its unsecured revolver, increasing investments in ground leases, and providing working capital, demonstrating a proactive approach to future investments.
- Market Participation: The bond offering attracted participation from both U.K. and U.S. investors, indicating an increasing recognition of Safehold in international capital markets and laying a solid foundation for the company's future financing activities.
See More
Safehold Inc. Signs $225 Million Note Purchase Agreement
- Bond Issuance Size: Safehold Inc. announced a definitive note purchase agreement for a total of $225 million in senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2056, demonstrating the company's strong financing capability in the capital markets.
- Interest Rate Structure Advantage: The bond features a stair-step interest rate structure starting at 4.00% and increasing to 6.615% over 21 years, which will aid the company in maintaining flexibility and predictability in future financial planning.
- Clear Use of Proceeds: Safehold intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including repaying borrowings under its unsecured revolver and increasing investments in ground leases, reflecting the company's strategic planning for capital utilization.
- Market Participation: The bond offering attracted participation from both U.K. and U.S. investors, indicating an increasing recognition and influence of Safehold in the international capital markets, which will facilitate future financing activities.
See More
