Workforce Housing Financing

Take advantage of Arbor’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac workforce housing financing products with flexible loan terms and competitive pricing. Arbor’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac workforce housing programs offer competitive pricing, underwriting flexibility, and preservation incentives for the development of affordable housing solutions. Partner with a Freddie Mac Top Lender of Workforce Housing Rent Preservation financing to grow your portfolio to discover value-add workforce housing opportunities.

Articles

Build-to-Rent (BTR) Development Continues to Outpace Historical Highs

As single-family rental (SFR) demand has risen, build-to-rent (BTR) development has become more efficient at creating a distinct, community-focused experience for renters. Newly released U.S. Census Bureau data confirms that while the pace of SFR/BTR construction slowed during the second-quarter, development has remained robust compared to historical trends.

Articles

Arbor’s Innovative BTR CLO Delivers Key Competitive Advantages

Arbor Realty Trust, a perennial innovator in commercial real estate finance, closed a unique $802 million collateralized loan securitization (CLO) in May 2025 that cements the multifamily lender’s position at the forefront of build-to-rent (BTR) financing.

Articles

The Most Active Markets for New Multifamily Development in 2025

After the volume of multifamily permits fell nationally in 2023 and 2024, this year is on pace to be a year of stabilization for multifamily development. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, out of the top 100 largest U.S. metros by population, 47 had more multifamily permits through the first six months of 2025 than they did over the same period last year. Driven by strong underlying multifamily demand, attractive investment opportunities are leading to rebounding construction pipelines. As multifamily permitting rises, we explore the markets where new permits issued are most concentrated and where construction activity is gaining momentum.

Current Reports

Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q3 2025

Arbor’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q3 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, examines the factors behind the continued upward trajectory of the sector amid an ongoing capital markets recalibration. Several of its core performance metrics, including valuations, originations, and credit standards, have shown measurable improvement as a multifamily market-wide normalization takes shape. Supported by strong fundamentals, small multifamily stands tall despite economic uncertainty.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

Matthew Downs

Managing Director, Product Specialist, Non-Agency Loan Production & Syndications

Matthew Downs is responsible for the execution of Arbor Private Label, Arbor Private Investment, Mezzanine Lending and Preferred Equity strategies. He utilizes his extensive banking relationships and structured credit and underwriting experience to maintain Arbor’s strategic partnerships and provide existing clients with alternative lending solutions.

Mr. Downs has more than two decades of experience in commercial real estate lending and corporate finance. Before joining Arbor in 2024, he was a senior managing director at Greystone, where he originated agency, bridge, and CMBS loans for clients nationwide. He has also held originations positions at MonticelloAM, LLC, Union Labor Life Insurance Company, and M&T Bank. In these roles, Mr. Downs managed fixed and floating-rate senior first mortgages, mezzanine, and construction loans. He began his banking career in the corporate and commercial real estate finance department at Bank of Scotland.

Mr. Downs received a Bachelor of Science in Business from Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Lenders Association.

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