OAKLAND, CA – Merritt Community Capital, a leading provider of equity capital for affordable housing in California, today announced that Monica Sharp will serve as the company’s new Director of Investor Relations and Fund Management. Ms. Sharp is a proven relationship manager bringing more than 20 years of business development and real estate finance experience to the company.
Ms. Sharp’s prior experience is impressive and includes serving as Vice President and Relationship Manager in the Commercial Real Estate and Community Development Corporation lending divisions of US Bank, where she was responsible for the business development, relationship management and project management for national real estate developers providing financing for affordable housing, commercial, industrial, and hospitality projects across the United States. Ms. Sharp brings her nonprofit experience, as the former Executive Vice President for the California Restaurant Association, where she led stakeholder relations and strategic partnerships resulting in significant increases to the association’s contributions during her tenure. Ms. Sharp began her career in affordable housing industry at Related Capital Company with the West Coast Acquisition team.
Ms. Sharp said, “Merritt is a proven nonprofit leader in this industry, where I can contribute my skills and talents to its mission of providing equity capital for the development of affordable housing in California. I appreciate the challenges before me and look forward to increasing the awareness of opportunities to current and potential investors.”
Merritt is currently marketing its next multi-investor LIHTC fund, Merritt Community Capital Fund XX. Merritt expects to raise $70,000,000 for Fund XX, anticipates a fund closing in September 2018, and, per Merritt’s mission, will invest only in California-based LIHTC properties.
Lisa Castillo, President and CEO, said, “We are thrilled to have Monica join our team. Her banking background and prior syndication experience will contribute towards our long-term goals to help address the affordable housing crisis in our state. Her fresh perspective and enthusiasm fit well with our team as we look for opportunities to further our mission.”
ABOUT MERRITT COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORPORATION
Merritt Community Capital Corporation provides equity capital for affordable housing throughout California, revitalizing neighborhoods through construction, rehabilitation, and long-term asset management. Since 1989, the company has financed more than 8,485 affordable homes, and invested more than $804 million in 20 separate funds. Merritt is the West Coast member of the National Association of State and Local Equity Funds (NASLEF) and continues to offer exceptional service to investors, developers and consultants of LIHTC affordable housing properties. For more information, visit www.merrittcap.org.