Kingsley Associates released an executive summary of findings from confidential interviews with 31 large institutional investors and investment advisors on the topic of affordable housing investment. They found three main reasons these investors chose not to invest in affordable housing and provide key takeaways:

  1. The Federal Government’s “onerous rules and regulations.”
    1. The discussion around government barriers provides the industry with an opportunity to work with top housing advocacy groups to lobby Congress to simplify the rules and look for a different set of benefits to encourage more pension fund investment.
  2. The miseducation (or under-education) of the investment community.
    1. Those in affordable housing need to use creative and thoughtful storytelling—in addition to financial returns—to engage investors.
  3. Investing in affordable housing solely to meet a mandate.
    1. Those in affordable housing need to use creative and thoughtful storytelling—in addition to financial returns—to engage investors.