Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
FHA Financing
Strong Communities, Stronger Partnerships
As the #1 FHA-insured multifamily lender nationwide for fiscal year 2023, Berkadia FHA/HUD has the vision and versatility to create customized debt and equity solutions to fit all project sizes, locations, and borrower profiles. Our dedicated Housing and Urban Development professionals are skilled in navigating the lending process on behalf of our clients, covering major HUD multifamily programs including 221(d)(4), 220, 223(f), 241(a), 223(a)(7), and IRR Loan Modification.
With a presence in every major market nationwide, serving in leadership roles on both Regional HUD Boards and MBA FHA Committees, Berkadia FHA/HUD has unique access and insight into FHA financing that we put to work for our clients.

HUD Loan Programs: Consistency in an Unpredictable Market
“Investors oftentimes find it challenging to navigate a high interest rate environment. However, an FHA-insured loan provides flexibility, allowing borrowers to uncover significant cost savings. Our dedicated team of HUD professionals continues to guide clients through the complexities of today’s market amid record high rates and economic turbulence.”
BERKADIA FHA/HUD CONSTRUCTION
Berkadia FHA/HUD Construction manages all 221(d)(4) and 223(f) projects, including heavy repairs. We have consistently been ranked as the Top HUD Multifamily New Construction/Sub-Rehab Lender by volume from 2018-2022. Our automated processes and industry-leading technology allow our construction experts to prioritize your project and proactively monitor all aspects of the HUD process.
Track Record
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Integrated Solutions
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“For more than a decade, Berkadia’s team of industry trailblazers have guided clients through the intimidating, yet rewarding, world of FHA financing. Nationwide, our experts serve as committed partners, equipped with the tools, knowledge and relationships to help achieve your goals.”
Steve Ervin
Senior Vice President &Head of FHA Financing
RESEARCH, INSIGHTS and News
Access the latest market-driven insights, research and news from Berkadia.
FHA/HUD Programs
Berkadia FHA/HUD 221(d)(4) and 220 Loan Program
Download Program Details | Connect with a Mortgage Banker
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION
- High leverage construction/permanent financing
- Permanent interest rate locked prior to construction
- Interest rate modification program available post completion
Market Rate Properties
- Maximum 85% loan-to-cost
- 1.176x DSCR with 7% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Affordable Properties
(LIHTC Minimums)
- Maximum 87% loan-to-cost
- 1.15x DSCR with 5% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Rent Assisted Properties
(Section 8)
- Maximum 90% loan-to-cost
- 1.11x DSCR with 5% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Interest Rate and Term
- Fixed interest, same rate for construction and permanent phases
- Construction phase +40-year permanent amortization
- Interest only during construction
- Fully amortizing
- Conversion to permanent phase at construction completion (no DSCR test for conversion)
Prepayment
- Flexible 10 year prepayment structure
Additional Requirements
- Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wages apply
- New Construction Escrows
(1) Working Capital: 4% of loan amount
(2) Operating Deficit Escrow: 3% of loan amount - Substantial Rehab Escrows:
(1) Working Capital: 2% of loan amount
Waivable for certain Rent Assisted or LIHTC properties - Cost certification required for market rate properties
- Limits on commercial income and space apply; 20% minimum vacancy
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Market Rate (Two-Stage Processing)
- 30 days | Concept submission and meeting with HUD
- 45-60 days | Pre-application underwriting by Berkadia (app, mkt study, phase I)
- 45-60 days | HUD pre-application review
- 45-60 days | Firm application underwriting by Berkadia (100% plans/specs)
- 45-60 days | HUD firm application review
- 45-60 days | Rate lock and closing
Affordable/Rent Assisted (Single-Stage Processing)
- 45-60 days | Firm application underwriting by Berkadia
- 45-60 days | HUD firm application review
- 45-60 days | Rate lock and closing
Berkadia FHA/HUD 223(f) Loan Program
Download Program Details | Connect with Mortgage Banker
REFINANCE OR ACQUISITION
- 35-year, fixed-rate financing
- Ability to modify interest rate during term
- High-leverage permanent financing
Market Rate Properties
- 85% loan-to-value (80% if cash-out)
- 1.176x DSCR with 7% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Affordable Properties
(LIHTC Minimums)
- 87% loan-to-value (80% if cash-out)
- 1.15x DSCR with 5% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Rent Assisted Properties
(Section 8)
- 90% loan-to-value (80% if cash-out)
- 1.11x DSCR with 3% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Interest Rate & Term
- 35-year rate (fully amortizing) subject to market conditions at time of rate lock
Prepayment
- Flexible 10-year prepayment structure
Additional Requirements
- Initial deposit to replacement reserve
- Annual deposit to replacement reserve
- Annual audited financial statements
- Surplus cash distributions monthly
Heavy 223(f)
- Non-critical repairs up to $40,000 per unit
- Project architect required
- Lender Needs Assessor reviews planned scope of work
- Detailed plans of scope of work and cost estimate required
- Davis-Bacon Act does not apply to Heavy 223(f)
- General Contractor could be required
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preliminary Loan Analysis
- Initial loan sizing
- Based on information provided by sponsor
Concept Submission and Meeting | 30 days Optional
- Limited review of property information and sponsor
- No third-party reports required
Berkadia Firm Application Underwriting | 45-60 days
- Third-party due diligence
- Collect required forms, certifications, and documents
- CPA review of property operating statement for prior fiscal year
- Obtain green certification, if applicable
HUD Firm Application Review | 45-60 days
- HUD property inspection
- National/regional loan committee review (depending on loan size)
- HUD firm commitment
Closing (Final Endorsement) | 45-60 days
- Interest rate lock
- Closing and loan documents review
- Completion of critical repairs
Berkadia FHA/HUD 241(a) Loan Program
Download Program Details | Connect with Mortgage Banker
FINANCE IMPROVEMENTS, ADDITIONS OR REPAIRS TO EXISTING FHA-INSURED PROPERTIES
- Davis-Bacon Act not required when first mortgage is a 223(f)
- Allows additional units to be built on contiguous sites
Market-Rate Properties
- 90% loan-to-cost
- 1.11x Debt Service Coverage
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Interest Rate and Term
- Fixed rate (fully amortizing) subject to market conditions at rate lock
- Coterminous with underlying first mortgage
Prepayment
- Flexible 10-year prepayment structure
Additional Requirements
- Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wages apply
- New Construction Escrows:
(1) Working Capital: 4% of loan amount
(2) Operating Deficit Escrow: 3% of loan amount - Substantial Rehab Escrows:
(1) Working Capital: 2% of loan amount
Waivable for certain Rent Assisted or LIHTC properties - Cost certification required for market-rate properties
- Limits on commercial income and space apply; 20% minimum vacancy
Other
- Davis-Bacon Act requirements apply to the cost of improvements, additions or repairs only if the underlying first mortgage was subject to Davis-Bacon
- A cross-default provision will be placed in the loan documents
- If different lenders will service the first and supplemental loan, an agreement must be executed designating a single firm to hold and manage the reserve account
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Market Rate (Two-Stage Processing)
- 30 days | Concept submission and meeting with HUD
- 45 – 60 days | Pre-application underwriting by Berkadia (app, mkt study, phase I)
- 45 – 60 days | HUD pre-application review
- 45 – 60 days | Firm application underwriting by Berkadia (100% plans/specs)
- 45 – 60 days | HUD firm application review
- 45 – 60 days | Rate lock and closing
Affordable/Rent Assisted (Single-Stage Processing)
- 45 – 60 days | Firm application underwriting by Berkadia
- 45 – 60 days | HUD firm application review
- 45 – 60 days | Rate lock and closing
Berkadia FHA/HUD 223(a)(7) Loan Program
Download Program Details | Connect with Mortgage Banker
REFINANCE OR ACQUISITION
- 35-year, fixed-rate financing
- Ability to modify interest rate during term
- High-leverage permanent financing
Market Rate Properties
- 85% loan-to-value (80% if cash-out)
- 1.176x DSCR with 7% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Affordable Properties (LIHTC Minimums)
- 87% loan-to-value (80% if cash-out)
- 1.15x DSCR with 5% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Rent Assisted Properties (Section 8)
- 90% loan-to-value (80% if cash-out)
- 1.11x DSCR with 3% vacancy
- Statutory mortgage limitation (per unit)
Interest Rate & Term
- 35-year rate (fully amortizing) subject to market conditions at time of rate lock
Prepayment
- Flexible 10-year prepayment structure
Additional Requirements
- Initial deposit to replacement reserve
- Annual deposit to replacement reserve
- Annual audited financial statements
- Surplus cash distributions monthly
Heavy 223(f)
- Non-critical repairs up to $40,000 per unit
- Project architect required
- Lender Needs Assessor reviews planned scope of work
- Detailed plans of scope of work and cost estimate required
- Davis-Bacon Act does not apply to Heavy 223(f)
- General Contractor could be required
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preliminary Loan Analysis
- Initial loan sizing
- Based on information provided by sponsor
Concept Submission and Meeting | 30 days Optional
- Limited review of property information and sponsor
- No third-party reports required
Berkadia Firm Application Underwriting | 45-60 days
- Third-party due diligence
- Collect required forms, certifications, and documents
- CPA review of property operating statement for prior fiscal year
- Obtain green certification, if applicable
HUD Firm Application Review | 45-60 days
- HUD property inspection
- National/regional loan committee review (depending on loan size)
- HUD firm commitment
Closing (Final Endorsement) | 45-60 days
- Interest rate lock
- Closing and loan documents review
- Completion of critical repairs
Berkadia FHA/HUD IRR Loan Modification Program
Download Program Details | Connect with Mortgage Banker
HUD’s Interest Rate Reduction program is designed to reduce interest rates on existing FHA-insured properties. The IRR program allows owners to work with their current servicer to reset their existing mortgages at a lower interest rate, leading to significant savings.
Highlights
- Interest rate is lowered to current market conditions.
- Borrower legal fee is the only out-of-pocket cost.
- A good faith rate lock deposit of 0.5% is credited back to the borrower at closing.
- Timing from start to finish is approximately 30-60 days.
- No finance fees or application fees required.
Loan Sizing and Conditions
- The new loan amount equal to the existing mortgage unpaid principal balance (ie. no additional debt added).
- The new loan maturity will remain unchanged from existing mortgage.
- 1.05x DSCR required.
- The mortgage insurance premium remains unchanged from original FHA-insured loan.
Prepayment and Assumptions
- The IRR resets the prepayment penalty structure to 10 years (ie. 10%/9%/8%/7%….)
- Alternative prepayment structures may be available based on current market conditions.
- All other HUD requirements from existing regulatory agreement remain in effect.
Berkadia FHA/HUD 223(f) Green MIP Program
Download Program Details | Connect with Mortgage Banker
Every FHA-insured loan for a multifamily property includes a mortgage insurance premium (MIP). MIPs, which fund HUD’s mortgage insurance programs, are paid by the borrower at closing and then monthly, in addition to principal and interest. Lower Green MIP rates are offered for properties that meet HUD green standards and reporting requirements. If eligible on 223(f) transactions, upfront MIPs are reduced from 1.00% to 0.25% at closing and monthly MIPs are reduced from 0.60% to 0.25% for the life of the loan.
For all properties, regardless of age or occupancy, owners must obtain a HUD-approved green building certification.
- Enterprise, Earthcraft, Greenpoint, LEED or National Green Building Standard are accepted.
For properties less than three years old with LESS than 80% occupancy over the past 12 consecutive months, owners must obtain a Statement of Energy Design Intent (“SEDI”) score above 90.
- A third-party consultant submits energy/water system specifications into the EPA’s Portfolio Manager scoring program to analyze projected consumption.
For properties less than three years old with MORE than 80% occupancy over the past 12 consecutive months, owners must obtain a Statement of Energy Performance (“SEP”) score of 90 or above.
- A third-party consultant submits 100% of the property’s energy/ water consumption data over the past 12 months to the EPA’s Portfolio Manager scoring program.
For properties more than three years old, owners must obtain a Statement of Energy Performance (“SEP”) score of 75 or better.
- A third-party consultant submits 100% of the property’s energy/ water consumption data over the past 12 months to the EPA’s Portfolio Manager scoring program.
- If a property is not expected to score above 75, an ASHRAE Energy Audit from a third-party environmental consultant will be required in order to determine what energy upgrades/improvements will produce a SEP score above 75.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are there additional requirements for borrowers to be eligible for a Green MIP?
All owners, regardless of property age, are required to submit a Data Collection Plan that will collect all energy/water consumption for 100% of the property. Each year, a SEP score of 75 or better must be reported to HUD.
What are the costs associated with becoming eligible for a Green MIP?
The costs to qualify for a Green MIP, including the cost of improvements that may be needed to increase the SEP score or to meet the minimum certification requirements, will vary.
- Feasibility study/preliminary evaluation for green certification: $5,000
- Statement of Energy Performance (“SEP”), if aggregate data is provided: $2,000
- Green certification from a qualified vendor: $25,000-$35,000
- Environmental consultation, including collection and scoring of utility usage and the analysis of projected upgrades: $15,000-$17,000 (only for properties that need performance upgrades)
- ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit: $8,000-$10,000 (only for properties that need performance upgrades)
Does qualifying for a Green MIP add significant time to the HUD loan application process?
A HUD refinance/acquisition loan application typically takes
two to three months to complete. Green certification feasibility analysis, testing and design should begin at least one month prior to beginning a HUD application, so that green certification can be submitted alongside other HUD application materials.
How do I collect water and energy consumption data for my entire property?
The most effective way to collect water and energy consumption data for an entire property is by using master meters, or a utility that provides aggregated data for the entire property.
Build the foundation for a better tomorrow by partnering with Berkadia FHA/HUD. As a leader in the HUD sector, we have the vision and versatility to create customized debt financing and equity solutions to fit all project sizes, locations and borrower profiles.
For more information:
Please reach out to your Berkadia mortgage banking professional.
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At Berkadia, our capital strength, market knowledge, breadth of experience and deep industry relationships ensure that we can deliver the certainty of execution that our clients depend on.
Read our Housing and Urban Development brochure today and learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
My property was completed less than three years ago, is it eligible for a refinance with a HUD-insured mortgage?
What are my options for supplemental loan proceeds during the term of the loan?
What types of secondary financing (i.e. mezzanine debt) are allowed under the program?
What are the net worth and liquidity requirements of the key principals?
My group has never had a HUD loan before. Is specific HUD experience required to be approved as a Sponsor for a HUD-insured application?
Due to the length of the application and closing process for the Section 221(d)(4) program, what type of construction activities are permitted prior to closing?
What are the major differences between underwriting a HUD loan compared to an agency loan?
The maximum leverage allowed on the Section 221(d)(4) construction program sounds great, what am I missing?
What are the main requirements of ownership and management during the life of the loan?
An owner must provide annual audited financial statements to HUD for review within 90 days of the property’s fiscal year-end. This audit should contain a calculation of surplus cash (cash flow), which is the basis of cash distribution to ownership. Distributions can only be made upon audit review and approval twice per fiscal year. An owner must also comply with annual REAC (physical) property inspections. REAC scores are on a scale of 0 – 100, with below 60 considered to be failing. High scoring properties can obtain waivers of future inspections for a period of one or two years depending on the score.
A replacement reserve account is required to be maintained during the life of the loan. The replacement reserve account is structured according to a replacement schedule of the property’s capital items and withdrawals are typically made consistent with this model. HUD loan documents also require a PCNA Report every ten (10) years to measure the adequacy of the property’s replacement reserve account. If a property has qualified as Green/Energy Efficient and received a reduced MIP, HUD will require annual energy testing and compliance with a minimum Energy Star score of 75.