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HUD Multifamily Loans Blog
2 min read
by Content Team

What Is a Capital Needs Assessment?

A capital needs assessment, or CNA, is a property inspection report required for all HUD loans that estimates the future cost of property maintenance and critical repairs for a property.

In this article:
  1. Capital Needs Assessments (CNA) for HUD Multifamily Loans
  2. HUD Multifamily Borrowers Must Utilize The CNA E-Tool
  3. CNA E-Tool Useful Life Table
  4. Related Questions
  5. Get Financing
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Capital Needs Assessments (CNA) for HUD Multifamily Loans

Capital Needs Assessments (CNAs), also known as Physical Needs Assessments, are property inspection reports that estimate the future costs of property maintenance, as well as determining the cost to repair any parts of a property that must be fixed urgently. Capital Needs Assessments are required during the application process for all HUD/FHA multifamily loans, including the HUD 221(d)(4), HUD 223(f), and HUD 223(a)(7) programs, as well as the HUD 232 loan for seniors healthcare properties.

Since it estimates the useful life of each component of a property, a Capital Needs Assessment is used to calculate the replacement reserve requirements for a loan. Typically, these average between $200- $300/unit per year, but can vary based on property type and location. In addition, updated CNAs are generally required on a 10-year basis to check the condition of a property, to ensure that any critical maintenance issues have been addressed, and, if needed, to re-adjust the property’s replacement reserve requirements.

HUD Multifamily Borrowers Must Utilize The CNA E-Tool

The CNA E-Tool is an online portal that allows HUD multifamily borrowers to submit their Capital Needs Assessments through an automated, standardized system, saving borrowers, lenders, and HUD significant time and effort. On Nov. 1, 2017, use of the CNA E-Tool was made mandatory for all HUD multifamily borrowers. On Feb. 1, 2018, use of the CNA E-Tool was made mandatory for 10-year CNA updates, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion applications, and certain other HUD multifamily programs.

CNA E-Tool Useful Life Table

In order to get a better idea of how a Capital Needs Assessment will classify each element of a property, borrowers may wish to read HUD’s Useful Life Table for the CNA E-Tool. The table lists each major property component, along with its estimated useful life (EUL). It may be important to note that useful life estimates are different for multifamily and seniors healthcare properties due to different uses, wear and tear levels, and other related factors. For instance, wood picket fencing has an EUL of 15 years for multifamily properties, but an EUL of 20 years for seniors properties.  

To learn more about HUD multifamily loans, simply fill out the form below and a HUD lending expert will get in touch.

Related Questions

What is a capital needs assessment in commercial real estate?

A Capital Needs Assessment (CNA), sometimes referred to as a Physical Needs Assessment (PNA), is a type of report that can help owners and developers understand how much it will cost to maintain their project over time. This report is used to calculate the replacement reserve requirements for a loan, typically between $200- $300/unit per year, and is required during the application process for all HUD/FHA multifamily loans, including the HUD 221(d)(4), HUD 223(f), and HUD 223(a)(7) programs, as well as the HUD 232 loan for seniors healthcare properties. Updated CNAs are generally required on a 10-year basis to check the condition of a property, to ensure that any critical maintenance issues have been addressed, and, if needed, to re-adjust the property’s replacement reserve requirements. To create a CNA, an owner/developer must hire a qualified and experienced third party, in this case, an HUD CNA consulting firm.

What are the benefits of a capital needs assessment?

A Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) can provide a number of benefits for owners and developers of HUD multifamily loans, including the HUD 221(d)(4), HUD 223(f), and HUD 223(a)(7) programs, as well as the HUD 232 loan for seniors healthcare properties. These benefits include:

  • Estimating the future costs of property maintenance
  • Determining the cost to repair any parts of a property that must be fixed urgently
  • Calculating the replacement reserve requirements for a loan
  • Checking the condition of a property to ensure that any critical maintenance issues have been addressed
  • Re-adjusting the property’s replacement reserve requirements if needed

For more information, please visit www.hud.loans/hud-loans-blog/what-is-a-capital-needs-assessment and hud221d4.loan/hud-221-d4-faqs/cna-capital-needs-assessment-for-hud-221d4-loans.

How is a capital needs assessment conducted?

A Capital Needs Assessment (CNA), sometimes referred to as a Physical Needs Assessment (PNA), is a type of report that can help owners and developers understand how much it will cost to maintain their project over time. This report is conducted by a qualified and experienced third party, in this case, an HUD CNA consulting firm. The CNA will typically include an inspection of the property, and will estimate the future costs of property maintenance, as well as determining the cost to repair any parts of a property that must be fixed urgently. The CNA will also be used to calculate the replacement reserve requirements for a loan, which typically average between $200- $300/unit per year, but can vary based on property type and location. In addition, updated CNAs are generally required on a 10-year basis to check the condition of a property, to ensure that any critical maintenance issues have been addressed, and, if needed, to re-adjust the property’s replacement reserve requirements.

What are the components of a capital needs assessment?

A Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) is a property inspection report that estimates the future costs of property maintenance, as well as determining the cost to repair any parts of a property that must be fixed urgently. It includes components such as plumbing, electrical, insulation, and other systems in the building. According to HUD Loans, CNAs are required during the application process for all HUD/FHA multifamily loans, including the HUD 221(d)(4), HUD 223(f), and HUD 223(a)(7) programs, as well as the HUD 232 loan for seniors healthcare properties. Additionally, HUD 221(d)(4) Loans states that creating a CNA will require the owner/developer to hire a qualified and experienced third party, in this case, an HUD CNA consulting firm.

What are the costs associated with a capital needs assessment?

The cost of a Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) can vary based on property type and location. Typically, these average between $200- $300/unit per year. Additionally, updated CNAs are generally required on a 10-year basis to check the condition of a property, to ensure that any critical maintenance issues have been addressed, and, if needed, to re-adjust the property’s replacement reserve requirements.

For more information, please visit www.hud.loans/hud-loans-blog/what-is-a-capital-needs-assessment and hud221d4.loan/hud-221-d4-faqs/cna-capital-needs-assessment-for-hud-221d4-loans.

What are the risks associated with a capital needs assessment?

The risks associated with a Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) are related to the loan itself. If the projected net operating income decreases substantially, the owner may be liable to make principal and interest payments or even, at some point, pay back the entire loan prematurely. An investment in commercial real estate is a subject to be studied thoroughly prior to making any decision. Income taxes, possible risks, the amount of money to be borrowed, and the various financing alternatives available are the key components to consider before making a decision.

For more information, please see What Is a Capital Needs Assessment? and Cash On Cash Returns: Calculator, Risks Involved.

In this article:
  1. Capital Needs Assessments (CNA) for HUD Multifamily Loans
  2. HUD Multifamily Borrowers Must Utilize The CNA E-Tool
  3. CNA E-Tool Useful Life Table
  4. Related Questions
  5. Get Financing
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  • Opportunity Zones
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  • FHA Multifamily Loans
  • CNA E-Tool
  • Capital Needs Assessment

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