PART I
Item 1. Business
Our Company
GMH Communities Trust (referred to as "we" or "the Company" hereafter) is a self-advised, self-managed, specialty housing company that
focuses on providing housing to college and university students residing off-campus and to members of the U.S. military and their families. Through our operating partnership, we own and
operate our student housing properties and own equity interests in joint ventures that own our military housing privatization projects. Generally, we provide through our taxable REIT subsidiaries the
development, construction, renovation and management services for our military housing privatization projects and property management services for student housing properties owned by others. In
addition, through our operating partnership, we provide consulting services with respect to the management of certain student housing properties owned by others, including colleges, universities and
other private owners. We are one of the leading providers of housing, lifestyle and community solutions for students and members of the U.S. military and their families.
GMH
Communities Trust was formed in May 2004 to continue and expand upon the student and military housing businesses of our predecessor entities and other affiliated entities,
collectively referred to as GMH Associates. GMH Associates was founded in 1985 principally to acquire, develop and manage commercial and residential real estate, focusing on student housing. Beginning
in 1999, GMH Associates also competed for the award of contracts to develop, construct, renovate and manage housing units for members of the U.S. military and their families, referred to as military
housing
privatization projects. We seek to capitalize on the highly-fragmented student housing market at colleges and universities and the related need for quality and affordable off-campus,
privately-owned student housing. Focusing on this opportunity, we have, and prior to our formation, GMH Associates had, acquired or entered into joint ventures that acquired student housing properties
strategically located near college or university campuses. In addition, we have continued to expand upon the military housing business developed by GMH Associates and to seek the award of additional
military housing privatization projects granted by the Department of Defense, or DoD, under the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act.
We
elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended
December 31, 2004, and intend to continue to qualify as a REIT. We perform certain management and other services relating to student and military housing, which if performed directly by a REIT
could adversely affect its qualification as a REIT, through our taxable REIT subsidiaries, GMH Military Housing, LLC and College Park Management TRS, Inc. A "taxable REIT subsidiary" is
an entity, taxed as a corporation, in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds shares and which makes a joint election with the REIT to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of the REIT. Taxable
REIT subsidiaries are generally subject to federal income taxation in the same manner as regular corporations and not as REITs. The extent to which a REIT can conduct its operations through a taxable
REIT subsidiary is limited by provisions of the Code, which require that (i) dividends from a taxable REIT subsidiary, together with other nonqualifying gross income of the REIT, constitute not
more than 25% of the REIT's gross income in any taxable year and (ii) securities issued by taxable REIT subsidiaries represent not more than 20% of the value of the REIT's total assets as of
the close of any quarter of a taxable year of the REIT.
As
of December 31, 2007, we owned or had ownership interests in 72 student housing properties, containing a total of 13,232 units and 42,670 beds and seven undeveloped or
partially developed parcels of land held for development as student housing properties. Of this portfolio, we hold a 10% interest in joint ventures that own eight of these student housing properties,
covering a total of 1,140 units and 4,160 beds and provide management services for all of these properties. In addition to properties held through joint ventures, we managed a total of 17 student
housing properties owned by others,
1
containing
a total of 3,185 units and 10,647 beds, including 48 units and 262 beds currently under construction.
With
respect to our military housing segment, as of December 31, 2007, our operating partnership had an ownership interest in, and through various wholly-owned subsidiaries
operated, 12 military family housing privatization projects, comprising an aggregate of approximately 25,288 end-state housing units on 37 military bases. End-state housing
units are the housing units, including units subject to new construction and existing units, whether or not subject to renovation, that are approved for completion and management by the end of the
initial development period, or IDP, for the project. Subsequent to year-end, in January 2008, we closed on the award of our first unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH) privatization
project at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, GA. The project is coterminous with the existing 50-year ground lease relating to our previously operational Fort Stewart/Hunter family housing
project and commences with a two-year IDP that includes design, construction, management, maintenance and
operational responsibilities for an estimated 334 end-state housing units with project costs of approximately $37 million.
With
respect to projects under exclusive negotiations and which are not yet in operation, we have been chosen by the Department of the Army to design, construct and manage a UPH project
located at Fort Bliss. During the first quarter of 2007, we also announced that we were selected by the Department of the Army to enter into exclusive negotiations for the family housing privatization
project at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, which is expected to have a five-year IDP with project costs valued in excess of $160.0 million and cover 628
end-state housing units; and in May 2007, we announced that we were selected by the Department of the Army to enter into exclusive negotiations for the family housing privatization project
at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. The Fort Jackson project is expected to have a six-year IDP with project costs valued in excess of $180.0 million and cover 990
end-state housing units. Most recently, in October 2007, we were selected as the highest ranked offeror (HRO) by the Department of the Air Force for its privatization of family housing
under the AMC West Housing project, which includes three Air Force bases in three states and is expected to have a seven-year IDP, with estimated project costs in excess of
$400.0 million and covering an estimated 2,435 end-state housing units. We currently expect the Fort Jackson and AMC West projects to commence operations during the second quarter
of 2008, and the West Point project during the third quarter of 2008.
Our
Internet address is
www.gmhcommunities.com
. We make available free of charge on or through our website our Annual Reports on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after
we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto do not constitute a part of this report.
Pending Sale of the Company
On February 12, 2008, we announced that the Company had entered into two definitive agreements in connection with the sale of our military and student
housing divisions. The first agreement is a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated February 11, 2008, referred to as the Securities Purchase Agreement, by and among GMH Communities Trust, GMH
Communities, L.P. and Balfour Beatty, Inc. (a U.S. subsidiary of Balfour Beatty plc, and referred to as Balfour Beatty), pursuant to which Balfour Beatty will purchase the
Company's military housing division, referred to as the Military Housing Transaction. The second agreement is an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 11, 2008, among GMH Communities
Trust, GMH Communities, Inc., GMH Communities, L.P., American Campus Communities, Inc., American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP, American Campus
Acquisition LLC and American Campus Acquisition Limited Partnership LP, or the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, American Campus Communities, Inc., or
ACC, through its acquisition subsidiaries, will acquire the Company and its remaining student housing
2
division
following completion of the Military Housing Transaction, referred to as the "Merger". The aggregate per share value of both the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger is expected to be
approximately $9.61 per share/unit, based on the closing price of ACC's shares of common stock on February 11, 2008. The per share/unit value represents a premium of 72% to the closing price of
the Company's common shares on February 11, 2008; however, as described in more detail below, the per share/unit amount in connection with the sale of the Company is subject to potential
adjustment to the purchase price from the sale of the Company's military housing division and the value of ACC's shares at the closing date. Pending the closing of the Merger, the Company will pay its
regular quarterly dividend but only for the quarter ending March 31, 2008. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company will not be permitted to make any further distributions other than the
distributions described below.
Military Housing Transaction
Under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Balfour Beatty will purchase all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and limited liability company
interests of the subsidiaries representing the Company's military housing division for $350 million in cash, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
The Military Housing Transaction is anticipated to result in net distributions to the Company's common shareholders and to the unitholders of GMH Communities, LP, or the Company Operating
Partnership, of approximately $4.08 per share/unit. The ultimate per share/unit amount distributed may change because the aggregate purchase price will be increased or decreased to the extent the
working capital of the military housing division as of the closing exceeds or is below $14.5 million.
The
$4.08 per share/unit distribution, or the Military Housing Distribution, is expected to be paid in two separate distributions. One will take place upon the closing of the Military
Housing Transaction
and the second will take place immediately prior to the Merger. The net distribution to shareholders and unitholders from the Military Housing Transaction is expected to be made in two separate
distributions because the Company is required to pay off, and terminate, its line of credit with the proceeds from the sale of the military housing division and will retain a portion of the net
proceeds as working capital pending the closing of the Merger.
Completion
of the Military Housing Transaction, which is not subject to shareholder approval, has been unanimously approved by the Company's Board of Trustees. The Military Housing
Transaction is currently expected to close during the second quarter of 2008, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions that are customary in connection with the sale of a business
such as the military housing division. Balfour Beatty's obligation to close the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement is not subject to a financing condition.
Student Housing Transaction
Following the sale of the military housing division, the Company will be acquired by ACC pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger
Agreement, each common share of the Company and each unit of the Company Operating Partnership will be entitled to receive at the closing of the Merger (i) 0.07642 of an ACC share of common
stock, or the Share Consideration, and (ii) $3.36 in cash, or approximately $5.53 in value based on the closing price of ACC's shares of common stock on February 11, 2008, except subject
to certain conditions, in lieu of the Merger Consideration, the holder of units of the Company Operating Partnership may elect to receive 0.07642 of a unit in the surviving operating partnership,
together with the Share Consideration, referred to as the Merger Consideration. In connection with the Merger, the Company anticipates selling its home office, or the Home Office, immediately prior to
the closing of the Merger, and will also have the right, but not the obligation, to sell ten additional student housing assets, referred to collectively with the Home Office as the Disposition Assets.
A percentage of the amount received, if any, in connection with
3
the
sale of the Disposition Assets will be payable to the Company's common shareholders and unitholders on the day preceding the closing of the Merger, referred to as the Special Distribution, and
will be in addition to the Merger Consideration. No assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in disposing of any of the Disposition Assets.
Completion
of the Merger is subject to the sale of the military housing division and certain other customary closing conditions, including approval of the Merger by the Company's
shareholders. The closing of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement is not subject to a financing condition. The Merger is currently expected to close during the second
quarter of 2008. The Merger has been unanimously approved by the Company's Board of Trustees, and will be recommended for approval by the Company's common shareholders.
The
remainder of this Part I provides disclosures of our business as an ongoing operation with the impact of the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger not considered unless
otherwise noted.
Student Housing Business
Overview
Through its development, redevelopment and strategic acquisitions of student housing properties, directly and indirectly through joint ventures, our management
team has led GMH Communities Trust to become, as measured by our internal competitive analysis estimates, one of the largest private operators of off-campus housing for college and
university students in the U.S.
We
seek to acquire and manage high-quality student housing properties strategically located near college or university campuses and other points of interest, such as
restaurants or other nightlife destinations that cater to students. The properties we seek to acquire and manage include town homes and high-rise, mid-rise and garden-style
apartment complexes. The amenities we offer residents vary by property, but include many of those commonly sought by students, such as private bedrooms and bathrooms, high quality student furnishings,
cable television, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, a washer and dryer in each unit, fitness centers, swimming pools, computer centers, study rooms and game rooms.
Additionally, we strive to create attractive environments for our residents by providing, among other things, student housing employees living on-site as well as 24-hour
maintenance and emergency services. Although we target student residents, a small percentage of our residents are non-students.
We
believe there are substantial opportunities to acquire and manage off-campus student housing. Currently, the student housing market is highly fragmented and primarily
served by local property owners. In addition, a significant number of existing student housing properties are obsolete, creating demand by students for high quality housing and premium services. We
also believe that, because of the structural and functional obsolescence of many existing on-campus and off-campus student housing properties, future opportunities may exist to
establish joint ventures with colleges and universities to manage, lease, renovate or develop on- and off-campus student housing, although we have not yet entered into any such
arrangements. Opportunities may exist for us to participate in these arrangements through the ownership or leasing of properties or otherwise.
We
believe that the student housing industry has been under-managed to date, and that the key factors in the successful execution of our business plan include, among other things, the
provision of high quality student housing with a high degree of customer interaction, the implementation of well-managed marketing, leasing, maintenance, retention and collection programs
for our properties and the ability to incentivize our management by empowering them to achieve specific objectives.
We
will only consider opportunities for those types of arrangements in the student housing business that are consistent with our ability to maintain our status as a REIT for federal
income tax purposes. In order to qualify as a REIT, a specified percentage of our gross income must be derived
4
from
certain sources, including rents from real property (and generally excluding income from the operation of non-rental related assets).
Strategy
From a growth perspective, our strategy in the student housing business is to acquire, own and effectively manage a diverse portfolio of attractive and
high-quality off-campus student housing properties located near college and university campuses throughout the U.S. We focus on owning and operating primarily garden-style
apartment complexes, as well as town homes, high-rise and mid-rise apartment complexes. Our operational strategy is to manage our own student housing properties, as well as
those we manage for colleges, universities and private owners, with a focus on catering to the college and university student whose needs and lifestyle differ greatly from the needs and lifestyle of a
typical apartment resident. We implement these strategies as follows:
Target select properties/markets.
We seek to acquire and manage high quality student housing properties strategically located
near college or university campuses and other points of interest, such as restaurants or other nightlife destinations that cater to students. We specifically target those acquisition sites that are
located proximately to colleges or universities with an enrollment of at least 5,000, where there is a shortage of existing modern student housing. We seek to identify properties in student housing
markets with high barriers to entry and strong growth potential. We typically target sites within approximately two miles of the college or university campus. Our management team has found that most
students prefer to live within a narrowly-defined geographic radius around a particular college or university campus because it provides students with the feeling of being a part of the campus
community and also shortens students' commutes to and from classes. We also believe that we have identified a trend of students, particularly upperclassmen, wanting to live near entertainment venues
near campus, such as restaurants or nightlife destinations. In order to capitalize on this trend, we intend not only to acquire and manage premium student housing properties strategically located near
college or university campuses, but also those properties close to other points of interest around campus.
We
believe that many of the local satellite campuses of large, state-funded colleges and universities have significant growth potential as the main campuses of these institutions begin
to cap the number of students accepted. These caps on student enrollment at large, state-funded institutions also have had a positive effect on campus enrollment at competing colleges and universities
located near these institutions.
Given
our management team's experience in and knowledge of the student housing market, we believe that we have developed a solid foundation upon which to identify, evaluate and acquire
high quality properties in the future. We believe that our size and financial strength gives us a competitive advantage over smaller, less established competitors in our target markets.
Deliver full range of high quality product.
We seek to acquire and manage modern,
state-of-the-art town homes and high-rise, mid-rise and garden-style apartments that are tailored to the "student lifestyle." The typical
design layout of a housing unit consists of one to four bedrooms, with a complementary number of bathrooms, centered around a common area consisting of a living room, dining area and kitchen. In
addition to functionality and appearance, we have found that students want to be offered a variety of amenities, similar to those found at typical luxury apartment communities. Amenities such as
private bedrooms and high-quality furnishings, cable television, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, a washer and dryer in each unit, fitness centers, swimming
pools, computer centers, study rooms and game rooms are found in some combination at all of our properties. We also employ student housing personnel that live on-site and provide our
residents with 24-hour resident services, including maintenance and emergency services.
5
Our
message to prospective student residents is that our properties provide a home-like environment with state-of-the-art technological
capabilities and amenities and services designed to maximize their college or university experience. In our marketing efforts, we convey the message that living at one of our properties, unlike a
typical apartment property, is like becoming a part of a small community within the larger college or university community. To this end, we offer regular events at our properties, such as athletic
competitions, including volleyball and basketball tournaments, "battle of the bands" nights and non-alcoholic social events. We also offer prospective residents a roommate matching
program, where students wishing to find roommates provide us with their background information, including their likes and dislikes, so that our property staff may attempt to match these individuals
with compatible roommates.
Each
of our properties is managed, leased and maintained by an experienced staff of on-site employees. These employees are available to our student residents around the clock
to provide routine maintenance service or to assist in emergencies. We also employ regional vice
presidents who are responsible for coordinating the operations of our properties within each of their respective regions. Our management team works closely with the college and university housing and
development staffs near our properties to ensure that the needs of students, parents and the institutions are being met throughout the year. For example, our management team coordinates with colleges
and universities to provide students with access, where available, to the college or university computer network from each property's computer room or from student apartment units, and to become an
approved provider of student housing for the local college or university.
We
have developed specific management systems that are designed to optimize student housing operations and to maintain the value of our properties. These systems include implementing
standard lease terms that generally require parental guarantees, making frequent and regular apartment inspections conducted during the course of the lease term, and maintaining and distributing a
"price list" to our residents for any property damages incurred during the lease term and thereby incentivizing students to maintain their units. Two exceptions for which we generally do not seek
parental guarantees include leases with international students, due to the high burden of obtaining or collecting on guarantees from parents of students who are not located in the U.S., and leases
with residents who provide evidence of satisfactory personal income.
Superior execution of operations.
We utilize dynamic, professional marketing services primarily to create Internet-based
applications to market and make information about us and our properties easily accessible to students, and initiate word-of-mouth campaigns to attract student residents.
Recognizing the importance of the Internet, we have an individualized website dedicated to each of our student housing properties containing information about each property, amenities and services
available at each property and pricing and leasing information. To a lesser degree, we also advertise through more traditional media, such as radio and print, particularly focusing on media such as
student-run newspapers that target the student market.
The
support of colleges and universities is beneficial to the continued success of our off-campus properties and, to this end, we actively seek to have these institutions
recommend our properties to their students. Specifically, we attempt to enter into informal arrangements with colleges and universities to have them include information about certain
off-campus properties that we manage on their home pages and to have them provide direct hyperlinks to these properties' websites, in addition to distributing brochures relating to these
properties. We currently have arrangements with several educational institutions that provide their students with informational materials directing them to our properties. In cases where colleges and
universities do not offer active recommendations for our off-campus housing, most nonetheless provide lists of suitable off-campus properties to their students. We continually
work to ensure that our properties are on these lists in each of the markets that we serve.
6
Many
of our properties are all-inclusive, meaning that we attempt to simplify the bill-paying process by including all costs associated with living at our
properties, including water, electricity, gas, cable services and Internet services, in one monthly rental check to be paid to us by students or their parents. We limit our exposure to excessive
utility bills from residents by setting a reasonable limit on how much we will pay per resident per month for a particular utility, such as water or electricity. If a resident's monthly bill for a
utility exceeds the set limit, the excess cost may be charged to the resident on a subsequent bill.
In
addition to our streamlined bill-payment system, we believe that our method of leasing is attractive to student residents and their parents. Under a traditional apartment
lease, housing units are leased by the unit, and, therefore, all residents living in a particular unit are responsible for any liabilities of their roommates. We circumvent this situation by typically
leasing our housing units by the bed, not the unit. As a result, students in our properties are contractually responsible for making only payments associated with their individual or
pro-rata use of the unit.
We
seek to maximize income by operating at a high level of efficiency through intensive management and prudent capital expenditures. In addition, property acquisitions in our target
markets should permit us to increase student awareness of our properties through our cross-marketing programs, gain economies of scale by enabling us to consolidate management and leasing services and
reduce costs of capital goods, supplies, furniture and other goods and services bought in bulk.
Student Leases
Our property leases typically contain the following terms:
-
-
a
12-month lease term (rent payable in equal monthly installments);
-
-
rent
payments typically include charges for all amenities provided at the property, such as basic cable, Internet service, a fitness center, a swimming pool and usually
parking, or some combination of these, and in many instances unit interior charges for utilities such as water, gas, sewer and electric, subject to a monthly utility cap per unit;
-
-
a
guarantee by parents or legal guardians, relating to, among other things, the amounts payable under the lease, unless a resident can provide evidence of satisfactory
personal income, or international residence status;
-
-
require
that residents pay a security deposit and/or a non-refundable move-in fee. The deposit is applied against any damages to the unit caused by
the resident (including furnishings and household items in the unit). Residents and their lease guarantors also are required to assume personal responsibility for any damages caused to a unit or
common areas of a property;
-
-
restrictions
on the subletting of units without our prior written consent;
-
-
lease
default provisions in the event of failure to pay rent when due, breach of any covenant contained in the lease or abandonment of the unit; and
-
-
extensive
rules and regulations governing the property and the behavior of residents in order to ensure effective controls.
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Lease Administration and Marketing Systems
We believe we are an industry leader in identifying and implementing solutions to improve the on-site decision-making processes of local management at
each of the college and university communities where we either own or manage properties. We continue to focus on student housing information technology innovations, including customizing
web-based applications designed to reduce operating costs, reacting quickly to frequent leasing and market changes and improving real-time operating information and services to
student residents.
We
have implemented state-of-the-art, real time systems that provide for on-line resident applications, on-line work orders
and facilities management and occupancy reporting. We also have an on-line payment system which is currently being used to facilitate all credit card payments at most of our student
housing properties. These exclusive systems have dramatically improved the efficiency of our operations and have improved services to an increasingly tech-savvy student market.
Additionally,
we have created a web-based infrastructure designed to standardize systems and procedures to improve data tracking at all levels within our student housing
business. These systems provide us with real-time access to customized data management tools that track leasing, occupancy, expenditures and purchases through national accounts, and with
other e-business solutions designed to improve the speed and accuracy of our property management services.
Market Opportunity
The Student Housing Market
Demographic patterns and trends in education over the past several years suggest that there are an increasing number of college-aged individuals and
an increasing number of students enrolling in colleges and universities in the U.S. According to a 2005 report by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Educational and Statistics, or
NCES, fall enrollment at four-year institutions of higher education in the U.S. is expected to increase from the 17.3 million students that were enrolled in 2004 to
19.5 million in 2014.
The
major catalyst for projected enrollment increases, and subsequent student housing demand in the near future, will be the growth in the college-aged population represented
by the "Echo Boom" generation, which is made up of the sons and daughters of the "Baby Boomer" generation, and is equal in size to the Baby Boomer generation. While the Baby Boomers are nearing
retirement, much of the Echo Boom generation, which was born between 1977 and 1997, is entering, or has yet to enter, adulthood. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2006, 4.2 million
Americans turned 18; by 2010, that number will peak at 4.4 million and remain significantly above 4.0 million annually for some time thereafter.
The
impact of demographic changes on college enrollment levels will not be felt equally across all states. During the past decade, the fastest growth of post-secondary
enrollment has been concentrated primarily in the Rocky Mountain States and the Sunbelt, which consists of the Southeast and Southwest portions of the U.S. The Sunbelt, Pacific and Northeast regions
of the U.S. are projected to be the fastest growing regions in college enrollment between 2000 and 2010, fueled by above average growth projections, in the young adult population in these regions.
Among
individual states, California, Florida, Texas and New York are projected to have the four largest populations of 18 to 24 year-olds during the next decade,
according to the U.S. Census Bureau's April 2005 projections. We expect these states will continue to serve as major immigration gateways, which also should bolster future demographic and accompanying
college enrollment growth well into the future. These four states are forecasted to experience the greatest absolute increase in college enrollment. Rounding out the top ten states with the highest
absolute population growth projections for
8
18
to 24 year-olds are North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, Georgia and Washington. As of December 31, 2007, more than 36% of our student housing properties were
located in these "top 10" states.
As
of December 31, 2007 and based on the U.S. Census Bureau's April 2005 projections, the states in which we owned properties were projected to experience an average growth of
11.9% in the 18 to 24 year-old population, which is an average of 84,221 persons between 2000 and 2010.
We
believe that these projected increases in the 18 to 24 year-old population and in college enrollment will place a greater demand on off-campus student
housing. While both on- and off-campus student housing markets will compete for these additional students, we believe that existing on-campus properties will be at
a disadvantage because, according to NCES data, those properties tend to be older units that have not been sufficiently expanded, renovated or modernized to meet students' increasing needs and
expectations.
Highly-Fragmented Ownership of Student Housing Properties
The student housing market is highly fragmented, and consolidation in the industry has been limited. Based upon our internal competitive analysis estimates, we
believe that there are fewer than 12 firms that own a multi-regional network of off-campus student housing properties and have the ability to offer an integrated range of specialized
student housing services, including design, construction and financing.
Our
management experience suggests that none of the specialized student housing firms dominates a particular region. Instead, they each seek to maintain a presence in multiple markets
with large student populations. Therefore, most are active in the same markets, particularly Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, due primarily to the presence of
large state university systems that allow developers and operators to take advantage of economies of scale. In contrast, the Northeast, Southwest and Pacific Northwest are three regions in which
small, local owner-operators have significant market share.
Status of the On-Campus Student Housing Market
As student enrollment increases, we believe that one of the biggest challenges facing many colleges and universities is an antiquated student housing
infrastructure. In addition to the need for more housing to accommodate an expanding student population, universities must also deal with the problems of maintaining, refurbishing and marketing their
aging existing inventory. Many schools have undertaken large-scale renovations and others are under pressure to follow suit to stay competitive. In addition to significant cosmetic upgrades, outdated
heating and plumbing systems and roofs and windows are being replaced in many on-campus housing facilities. In some cases, institutions are finding that the costs of renovations are often
prohibitive and are opting to take existing facilities out of service, thereby creating a greater demand for off-campus student housing.
In
addition, various amenities that used to be considered rare luxuries in the student housing industry, such as kitchens, private bedrooms and bathrooms, Internet connectivity and cable
television systems,
and a washer and dryer in each unit, are now more common and increasingly a requirement for student tenants.
In
addition to increasing costs associated with the renovation of existing on-campus student housing by colleges and universities, budget deficits or budget restrictions are
affecting the amount of funds available to these institutions for education, thereby limiting states' abilities to increase funding for student housing projects. According to the Center for the Study
of Education Policy, state appropriations for higher education have been decreasing consistently. Each state's ability to boost post-secondary education spending, while simultaneously
handling the strain on health care budgets
9
from
a rapidly aging population and increasing funding to primary and secondary education, remains to be seen. Traditionally, both health care and primary education have taken precedence over higher
education for political reasons. Based on information provided by the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities, we believe it is unlikely that states will have enough money to fund
all programs completely. As a result of these trends in state budgets, we believe public universities' finances are straining their capacity to fund significant capital projects such as student
housing.
Supply of Student Housing
Based upon current projections of enrollment growth, we believe that colleges and universities will be unable to meet the increase in student housing demand with
traditional on-campus housing, thereby creating incremental demand for off-campus student housing. Furthermore, our management experience suggests that college and university
students increasingly prefer to live in modern, off-campus housing that provides greater privacy and modern amenities, rather than live in on-campus dormitories. Consequently,
we believe colleges and universities are turning to private sector developers to bridge the gap between demand for on- and off-campus housing and their ability to provide
additional on-campus housing from their own capital resources.
We
expect new construction and development by colleges and universities, various commercial developers, real estate companies and other owners of real estate that are engaged in the
construction and development of student housing to compete with us in meeting the anticipated increased demand in student housing over the next 10 years. The development and construction of new
student housing properties is extremely capital intensive. Since leases are typically executed for an August or September delivery, construction delays can cause late completion and jeopardize rents
for an entire year. As a result, we are pursuing several development opportunities in high barrier-to-entry markets, but we intend to focus our efforts on acquiring existing
properties or acquiring newly constructed properties from third-party developers in our target markets.
We
believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on the projected shortage of student housing in the U.S. due to our management's experience in the student housing
industry, the economies of scale afforded by our size, our access to capital for the acquisition of additional student housing, our high quality student housing product and our systems designed to
optimize student housing operations.
Management Services
As of December 31, 2007, we managed all of the student housing properties owned by us and 18 student housing properties not owned by us. We manage the
student housing properties not owned by us through our taxable REIT subsidiary, College Park Management TRS, Inc. For more information regarding the properties we manage for others, see the
section of this report under "
Our Business and Properties
."
Investment Criteria
In analyzing proposed student housing acquisitions, we consider various factors including, among others, the following:
-
-
the
ability to increase rent and maximize cash flow from the student housing properties under consideration;
-
-
whether
the student housing properties are accretive, or will become accretive, to our per share financial performance measures;
-
-
the
terms of existing or proposed leases, including a comparison of current or proposed rents and market rents;
10
-
-
the
creditworthiness of the student residents and/or parent guarantors;
-
-
local
demographics and college and university enrollment trends, and the occupancy of and demand for similar properties in the market area, specifically population and
rental trends;
-
-
the
ability to efficiently lease or sublease any unoccupied rentable space;
-
-
the
expected capital improvements to be made to the property and the ability of the student housing property to achieve long-term capital appreciation;
-
-
the
ability of the student housing property to produce free cash flow for distribution to our shareholders;
-
-
the
age and projected residual value of the student housing property;
-
-
the
location of the property, including its proximity to a college's or university's main campus or other academic buildings, as well as athletic and other entertainment
venues frequented by students;
-
-
the
opportunity to expand our network of relationships with colleges and universities as well as other strategic firms; and
-
-
potential
effect on our REIT status.
Underwriting Process
We have designed our underwriting strategy to enable us to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our shareholders. Our acquisition selection
process includes several factors, including a comprehensive analysis of the property's profitability, financial trends in a property's revenues and expenses, barriers to competition, the need in a
property's market for the type of student housing services provided by the property, the strength of the location of a property and the underlying value of a property. We also analyze the operating
history of each property, including the property's earnings, cash flow, occupancy, student mix and anticipated capital improvements, to evaluate its financial and operating strength.
In
addition, as part of our due diligence process, we obtain and evaluate title, environmental and other customary third-party reports. Currently, our acquisition/development policy
generally requires the approval of our Board of Trustees for all acquisitions and development projects, including acquisitions through joint venture structures, regardless of valuation.
Competition
We compete with other owners, operators and managers of off-campus student housing in a number of markets. The largest of these competitors are
Education Realty Trust (NYSE: EDR) and American Campus Communities, Inc. (NYSE: ACC), each of which are national, publicly-traded companies focused on growing their student housing businesses.
We also compete in a number of markets with smaller national and regional companies, such as the following: Place Properties, Ambling Companies, Campus Advantage, The Dinerstein Companies, JPI Student
Living, The Preiss Company, University Housing Group and Campus Apartments. In addition, we compete on a highly localized basis with substantial numbers of small, local owner-operators. Currently, the
student housing industry is highly fragmented, with no participant holding a dominant market share on a national level. The entry of one or more additional national or regional companies could
increase competition for students and for the acquisition, management and development of student housing properties.
There
are various on- and off-campus student housing complexes that compete directly with us located near or in the same general vicinity of many of our current
and targeted properties. We also
11
are
subject to competition for students from on-campus housing operated by colleges and universities, other public authorities and privately-held firms. We also are subject to
competition for the acquisition of off-campus student housing with other existing local, regional and national owners and operators of student housing. Further, we generally believe that
the pace and size of acquisitions in the real estate industry have increased significantly over the past 10 years. Consequently, prices have generally increased while return on invested capital
has fallen.
Military Housing Business
Overview
In order to address poor housing quality, a significant backlog of repairs and rehabilitations to its military housing units on and near bases, and a shortage of
affordable, quality private housing available to members of the U.S. military and their families, Congress included the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, or MHPI, in the 1996 National Defense
Authorization Act. Under the MHPI, the DoD was granted the authority to award projects to private-sector companies to develop, construct, renovate and manage military housing. Since 1996, according to
statistics available on the DoD's website as of March 4, 2008, the U.S. military has awarded to private companies long-term agreements and rights to exclusively negotiate agreements
with the U.S. military for 95 domestic projects containing, in the aggregate, a total of 179,162 end-state housing units. The DoD has targeted another 18 domestic projects containing an
additional 17,937 end-state housing units that have yet to be awarded by Congress, and agreements for the related development, construction, renovation and management services for these
additional projects. According to the DoD, the previously awarded privatization projects and projects under exclusive negotiations, together with additional targeted projects, reflect the opportunity
to develop, construct, renovate and manage a total of 197,099 end-state housing units.
As
of December 31, 2007, our operating partnership held an ownership interest in, and operated, through various wholly-owned subsidiaries, 12 military family housing privatization
projects at the Department of the Army's Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield, Fort Carson, Fort Hamilton, Fort Eustis, Fort Story, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Fort Detrick, Fort Bliss, White Sands
Missile Range, Fort Gordon, Carlisle Barracks and Picatinny Arsenal, as well as five Air Force bases and thirteen Navy bases. In addition, during the first quarter of 2008, we completed the closing on
the award of our first unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH) project at Fort Stewart. We refer to these
projects as the Stewart Hunter project, the Fort Carson project, the Fort Hamilton project, the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project, the Walter Reed/Fort Detrick project, the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile
Range project, the Fort Gordon project, the Carlisle/Picatinny project, the AETC Group I project, the Vandenberg project, the Navy Northeast and Southeast Region projects and UPH Fort Stewart project,
respectively. These projects in operation covered 37 domestic bases located in 18 states and Washington D.C., and we expect them to contain approximately 25,000 end-state housing units
once full development, construction and renovation have been completed for all the projects.
In
addition to our projects in operation at year-end, we are currently in exclusive negotiations with the Department of the Army with respect to an award to design, construct
and manage another UPH project at Fort Bliss, which is expected to cover up to 330 end-state housing units. We currently expect to close on the award of this project during 2008. In
addition, on March 8, 2007, we announced that we were selected by the Department of the Army to enter into exclusive negotiations for the family housing privatization project at the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point, New York, which is expected to have a five-year IDP with project costs valued in excess of $160.0 million and cover 628 end-state housing
units; and on May 25, 2007, we announced that we were selected by the Department of the Army to enter into exclusive negotiations for the family housing privatization project at Fort Jackson in
Columbia, South Carolina, which is expected to have a six-year IDP with project costs valued in excess of $180.0 million and cover 990 end-state housing units. Most
recently, on October 31, 2007, we
12
announced
our selection by the Department of the Air Force as the HRO for the privatization of family housing under the AMC West Housing privatization project. The project includes three Air Force
basesFairchild AFB located near Spokane, WA; Travis AFB, located near Fairfield, CA; and Tinker AFB, near Oklahoma City, OK. As a result of the HRO selection, we are participating in
exclusive negotiations with the Department of the Air Force for the development, management, construction/renovation of high-quality homes and other ancillary facilities and amenities to
meet the community housing needs at each of the three bases. The project is expected to have seven-year IDP, with estimated project costs valued in the excess of $400.0 million and
covering an estimated 2,435 end-state housing units. We currently expect to commence operations on the Fort Jackson and AMC West projects during the second quarter of 2008, and the West
Point project during the third quarter of 2008.
Each
of these military housing privatization projects includes the renovation and management of existing housing units, as well as the development, construction, renovation and
management of new units over a 50-year period, which, in the case of the Army, potentially could extend for up to an additional 25 years. The 50-year duration of each
project calls for continuing renovation, rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction of housing units through various predetermined project phases.
We
conduct our military development, construction/renovation and management services for all of our projects, other than our projects with the Air Force, through our taxable REIT
subsidiary, GMH Military Housing, LLC.
Our Military Housing Privatization Projects in Operation as of December 31, 2007
As of December 31, 2007, we had an ownership interest in and operated 12 military housing privatization projects. Each of our projects in operation as of
December 31, 2007 included the renovation of existing housing units and the construction of new units. The 50-year duration of each project calls for continued renovation,
rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction of the project. The following table provides a summary of the terms of each military housing privatization project in which we owned an interest as of
December 31, 2007.
13
Military Housing Privatization Projects in Operation
as of December 31, 2007
Project Name
|
|
Location
|
|
Initial
Development
Period(1)
|
|
Initial
Development
Period
Expected
Completion
Date
|
|
Initial
Development
Period
Project
Costs(2)
(in millions)
|
|
Expected End-State
Housing
Units at Initial
Development Period
Completion Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,868
|
|
new units
|
Fort Stewart and
|
|
Hinesville, GA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,597
|
|
renovated units
|
Hunter Army Airfield
|
|
Savannah, GA
|
|
8 years
|
|
October 2011
|
|
$
|
358.3
|
|
237
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,702
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
841
|
|
new units
|
Fort Carson
|
|
Colorado Springs, CO
|
|
5 years
|
|
Completed
|
|
|
Completed
|
|
1,823
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,664
|
|
|
Fort Carson Expansion(4)
|
|
Colorado Springs, CO
|
|
3 years
|
|
November 2009
|
|
|
124.0
|
|
396
|
|
new units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
new units
|
Fort Hamilton(5)
|
|
Brooklyn, NY
|
|
4 years(5)
|
|
May 2008(5)
|
|
|
54.9
|
|
43
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
228
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter Reed Army
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
407
|
|
new units
|
Medical Center/Fort
|
|
Washington, DC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156
|
|
renovated units
|
Detrick(6)
|
|
Frederick, MD
|
|
4 years
|
|
June 2008
|
|
|
89.4
|
|
36
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
599
|
|
|
Fort Eustis/Fort Story
|
|
Newport News, VA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
651
|
|
new units
|
|
|
Virginia Beach, VA
|
|
6 years
|
|
February 2011
|
|
|
167.9
|
|
473
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,124
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,429
|
|
new units
|
Fort Bliss/White Sands
|
|
El Paso, TX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,709
|
|
renovated units
|
Missile Range(7)
|
|
Las Cruces, NM
|
|
6 years
|
|
June 2011
|
|
|
438.6
|
|
270
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,408
|
|
|
Navy Northeast Region(8)
|
|
Brunswick, ME;
Kittery, ME;
Newport, RI;
Groton, CT;
Saratoga Springs, NY;
Long Island, NY;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
660
|
|
new units
|
|
|
Colts Neck, NJ;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,166
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
Lakehurst, NJ
|
|
6 years
|
|
October 2010
|
|
|
481.5
|
|
1,095
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,921
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
310
|
|
new units
|
Fort Gordon
|
|
Augusta, GA
|
|
6 years
|
|
April 2012
|
|
|
113.7
|
|
577
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
887
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
180
|
|
new units
|
Carlisle/Picatinny
|
|
Carlisle, PA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
Dover, NJ
|
|
5 years
|
|
July 2011
|
|
|
78.2
|
|
29
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
348
|
|
|
AETC Group I
|
|
Altus, OK;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
884
|
|
new units
|
|
|
Wichita Falls, TX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,278
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
Panama City, FL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
713
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phoenix, AZ
|
|
5 years
|
|
January 2012
|
|
|
336.0
|
|
2,875
|
|
|
14
Navy Southeast Region
|
|
Charleston, SC;
Kingsbay, GA;
Jacksonville, FL;
Mayport, FL;
Panama City, FL;
Whiting Field, FL;
Pensacola, FL;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key West, FL;
Gulfport, MS;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
new units
|
|
|
Meridan, MS;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,128
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
Fort Worth, TX
|
|
6 years
|
|
September 2013
|
|
|
687.3
|
|
1,621
|
|
existing units(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,269
|
|
|
Vandenberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164
|
|
new units
|
|
|
Lompoc, CA
|
|
5 years
|
|
October 2012
|
|
|
163.2
|
|
703
|
|
renovated units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
867
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,093.0
|
|
25,288
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
The
first phase of the project, known as the initial development period, covers the period of initial construction or renovation of military housing on a base, typically lasting three
to eight years.
-
(2)
-
As
of December 31, 2007, represents estimated total project costs for the initial development period, including closing, development, construction, financing and related costs
and excluding estimated capitalized interest associated with the project. These total project costs are determined at the time we and the relevant military branch execute definitive business
agreements to commence the project, and may be modified only upon the approval of a formal change order, which may affect the term of the initial development period as well. See also the section of
this report titled "
Risk FactorsRisks Related to our Military Housing Business
."
-
(3)
-
These
units will not be renovated during the initial development period.
-
(4)
-
Additional
financing for the expansion of the Fort Carson project was completed during the fourth quarter of 2006.
-
(5)
-
On
January 18, 2008, we received approval from the Department of the Army to modify the construction and renovation contracts to extend the IDP completion date to May 2008. In
addition, the Army has agreed to keep 58 of the planned 228 end-state housing units on-line until September 2012.
-
(6)
-
Walter
Reed has been designated for closure under the federal Base Realignment and Closure regulations, or BRAC. We believe that the closure will not result in the loss of housing
units, as these housing units are likely to be utilized by personnel who will be relocating from Walter Reed to nearby military medical facilities.
-
(7)
-
We
are in discussions with the Department of the Army to review the possibility of expanding the number of end-state housing units covered by this project, which would
likely require the placement of additional debt financing on the project. We received approval from the Army to increase the number of end-state units in September 2007, however, changes
to the development cost budget necessary to implement this increase are still under review.
-
(8)
-
In
July 2007, we finalized a restructuring of the terms and debt financing for the Navy Northeast Region project as a result of the (i) anticipated closure of the Naval Air
Station in Brunswick, Maine, which covers approximately 700 end-state housing units and (ii) need to further reduce the number of end-state housing units for the project
overall by an approximate 620 end-state housing units due to changes in area housing market conditions that are affecting occupancy rates for the project.
Military Housing Privatization Initiative
The MHPI is a program authorized under the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act that allows the DoD to award military housing privatization projects to private
sector operators. Under the MHPI, private-sector developers may own, operate, maintain, improve and assume responsibility for housing on U.S. military bases. According to the authority granted to it
by the MHPI, the DoD can work with the private sector to revitalize military housing over a 50-year ground lease period by employing a variety of financial tools to obtain private capital
to leverage government dollars, make efficient use of limited resources and use a variety of private-sector approaches to build and renovate military housing faster and at a lower cost to U.S.
taxpayers.
15
The
MHPI is designed to remedy both the poor condition and shortage of current military housing. According to the DoD, in 1997 it owned approximately 300,000 family housing units, on and
off U.S. military bases, and estimated that more than 50% of these units required renovation or replacement as a result of insufficient maintenance or modernization over the previous 30 years.
The DoD believes that improving the poor housing conditions as well as the shortage of quality, affordable private housing on military bases will significantly improve the morale and quality of life
for members of the U.S. military and their families, thereby boosting retention and enrollment in today's voluntary military forces. The majority of members of the U.S. military and their families
live in local communities near U.S. military bases. Most of these members of the U.S. military are enlisted personnel whose salaries are at the lower end of the military pay scale. Their salaries make
it difficult for them to find quality, affordable
housing within a reasonable commuting distance. Furthermore, many of these communities do not have enough affordable, quality rental housing to accommodate members of the U.S. military and their
families. The MHPI provides a creative and effective solution to address the quality housing shortage, and will result in the construction of more housing built to market standards for less money than
through the military's own construction process. Furthermore, traditional military construction requires contractors to adhere to stringent military specifications, which make projects significantly
more costly than building to market standards. Commercial construction is both faster and less costly than military construction, and private-sector funds significantly stretch and leverage the DoD's
limited housing funds and, at the same time, open the military construction market to a greater number of development firms and stimulate the economy through increased building activity.
Competitive Bidding Process for Military Housing Privatization Projects
In order to implement the MHPI and foster a coordinated approach by the military branches, the DoD created the Housing and Competitive Sourcing Office to develop
the legal, financial and operational aspects of the MHPI. Each military branch assesses its own current and future housing requirements, and determines the best course of action necessary for
revitalizing inadequate housing units and keeping its housing inventory in good condition. Each military branch also individually assesses the viability of particular privatization projects and makes
the final decision whether to privatize housing on a particular base, taking into consideration housing needs and available resources of that branch. Once the military branch and the Office of the
Secretary of Defense approve site development, they conduct an industry forum to obtain private-sector input. Though each military branch must follow certain general DoD policy guidelines, each
service branch has its own privatization project award program. The solicitation process differs slightly among the various military branches; however, in all cases, a competitive bidding process is
the method by which projects are awarded to private-sector developers. Projects are introduced to the private sector through the use of a request for proposal or a request for qualifications.
Developers that satisfy the respective military branch's requirements respond with detailed project proposals, and a selection is made from among them. The project winner is awarded the exclusive
right to negotiate the final plan, and assuming approval of such final plan, to develop, construct, renovate and manage family housing at a military base, which, based on our experience, is typically
for a 50-year period and, in the case of the Army, contains certain extension rights.
Based
on our experience, during the exclusivity period for an Army project, which typically lasts between six and 12 months, the project winner initially enters into a contract
with the Army pursuant to which it will create a community development and management plan, or CDMP, relating to the planned development of the awarded project. If the CDMP is approved by Congress,
the project winner enters a transition period, ranging from 60 to 90 days, during which it prepares to implement its CDMP, finalizes documentation relating to the implementation of the CDMP,
including arranging and negotiating necessary financing and negotiating final documents and agreements with the Army, and prepares to take over the base housing operations on the date of closing.
Closing occurs after the
16
transition
period when all the documentation and negotiations with the Army have been finalized, at which point the project winner may commence its operation of the project.
Based
on our experience, during the period of exclusive negotiations with the Navy, the project winner works towards finalization of required project and environmental documentation,
pursues local approvals, develops design plans and working drawings, reaches an agreement with the Naval officials regarding all aspects of the project, and arranges and negotiates necessary
financing. Also based on our experience to date, the Air Force ranks bidders based on numerous factors and then enters into exclusive discussions with the highest-ranking bidder. If the
highest-ranking bidder meets the Air Force's requirements and the project is approved by Congress, then that bidder becomes the "successful bidder." The successful bidder is then authorized by the Air
Force to close the transaction.
The
result of these exclusive negotiations will be business agreements that describe all relevant characteristics of the development, and define all business terms and conditions,
schedules and financial arrangements between the parties. This process generally takes approximately six to 12 months to complete from the time of the award to the execution of the business
agreement.
Organizational Structure of Our Military Housing Privatization Projects
The operations of our military housing privatization projects are generally conducted through an organizational structure that involves two wholly-owned
subsidiaries of our operating partnership, GMH Military Housing Investments LLC and one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, GMH Military Housing, LLC. GMH Military Housing
Investments LLC owns equity interests in the various projects. GMH Military Housing, LLC develops, manages and sometimes constructs/renovates the military housing in all of our projects,
other than our AETC Group I project, through two of its subsidiaries: GMH Military Housing Development LLC and GMH Military Housing Management LLC, which are referred to as GMH
Development and GMH Management, respectively, throughout this report. This organizational structure is described as follows:
The Project Entity.
We typically create a project-specific limited liability company or limited partnership, the
Project LLC, to serve as the managing member of the Project Owner. In most of our projects, the Project LLC is a joint venture between GMH Military Housing Investments LLC and a
joint venture partner. The joint venture partner typically is a third-party architectural and/or design company or construction company with whom we have an existing relationship. GMH Military Housing
Investments LLC is the manager of the Project LLC.
In
the case of our Navy project, the Project Owner is a joint venture between the Navy and the Project LLC. The Project Owner is created for the purpose of owning the project. The
Project Owner is also the ground lessee of the land upon which the project is situated. The Project Owner contracts with GMH Development for project development services, GMH Management for property
and asset management, and another wholly-owned subsidiary of GMH Military Housing, LLC for design/build services. That design/build entity subcontracts with (i) a joint venture partner
for project architectural and design services, (ii) a third-party construction company for construction services, and (iii) GMH
Management for construction/renovation services. Our Navy project is financed through a combination of equity from the Project Owner and third-party debt.
In
the case of our Army projects, the Project Owner is a joint venture between the Army and the Project LLC. The Project Owner contracts with GMH Development, GMH Management and a
third-party partner for development, management, renovation, architectural and design and construction services. The Project Owner is created for the purpose of owning the project. The Project Owner
also is the ground lessee of the land upon which the project is situated. The Project LLC is typically the manager of the Project Owner. The Army projects are financed through a combination of
equity, provided by the Project LLC and the Army (which typically approximates up to 10% of the total project value), and third-party debt (which is typically up to 90% of the total project
value).
17
In
the case of our AETC Group I project, the Project Owner is owned entirely by the Project LLC. In the AETC Group I and Vandenberg projects, the Project Owner contracts with
another subsidiary of GMH Military Housing Investments LLC, GMH AF Management/Development LLC, for property and management, renovation and development services and with third-party
providers for architectural/design and construction services. The Project Owner owns the project and is the ground lessee of the land upon which the project is situated. The Project LLC is the
manager of the Project Owner. The project also is financed through equity provided by the Project LLC and a third-party construction partner and permanent loan.
Debt Financing for the Project.
Financing for our projects is procured through either taxable revenue bonds or conventional
commercial lending. Financing is typically obtained at the project closing, which occurs on the date that the relevant branch of the U.S. military transfers operation and management of those housing
units at the project to the Project Owner. Based on our management's experience, we believe the terms of the debt are consistent with the terms typically used for conventional multi-family housing
projects. In each instance, the debt generally is non-recourse to us and is secured by a first priority lien on the project and requires the assignment of all of the Project Owner's rights
for the benefit of the bondholders or the lender, as applicable. The security therefore includes the Project Owner's interest in the ground lease. Based on our experience, the repayment terms require
payments of interest only during the first three to seven years of the loan and, thereafter, payments of interest and principal, amortized over a 35- to 45-year period, for the
remaining term of the loan. While the Project LLC is able to obtain debt financing for up to 90% of the total value of each project, based on our management's experience, lenders typically will
not lend in excess of a specified debt service coverage ratio projected for the first stabilized year following the end of the initial development period (typically ranging from three to eight years,
out of the 50-year project term). Accordingly, if interest rates increase, the Project LLC may be required to finance a greater portion of the project cost with equity. In addition,
if the minimum debt service coverage is not met, we may not have access to cash flows from the project, other than for project operating expenses, until the debt service coverage is restored.
The
following diagram shows the structure of all of our projects, other than our AETC Group I and Vandenberg projects:
18
As its contribution to the project, the U.S. military branch contributes the existing houses and related improvements and may also contribute cash. The Project LLC also
contributes cash, typically at the end of the initial development period for our Army projects, and at the outset of the initial development period, for our Navy and Air Force projects. Typically, the
Project LLC and the U.S. military branch are not required to make additional capital contributions to the project, and neither is permitted to make any additional contribution to the project
without the approval of the other. The Project LLC's return on investment is dependent on both the structure of the transaction and the U.S. military branch involved.
The Development Company.
GMH Development provides development services to our privatization projects, other than the Air
Force projects. These services are provided through development agreements typically having 50-year terms, which extend automatically upon any renewal of the related ground lease. GMH
Development generally assists the Project Owner by coordinating and monitoring the planning, design, demolition, renovation and construction activities on the Project Owner's behalf, including the
evaluation of project sites and requirements for each project, assisting the Project Owner with the development of the project schedule and budget, establishing coordination between the relevant
military branch and primary contractors, reviewing completed construction and renovation work, and certifying payments or primary contractors for such work. GMH Development also establishes and
implements administrative and financial controls for the design and construction of the project and assists the Project Owner in obtaining and maintaining general liability insurance and other types
of insurance. These services are provided by GMH AF Management/Development LLC in our Air Force projects.
The
Project Owner pays GMH Development a base fee equal to a percentage of the total development costs for the project, from the beginning of the initial development period throughout
the life of the project. Additionally, GMH Development typically is entitled to receive incentive development fees from the Project Owner upon the satisfaction of designated milestones. During the
initial development period, GMH Development is entitled to receive an incentive fee which is based upon a total of the development costs during the period. After the initial development period of a
project, the incentive development fees typically are a percentage of total development costs for the remainder of the project term. Milestones for payment of incentive development fees typically
include completing a specified number of homes according to schedule, achieving specific safety records and implementing small business or minority subcontracting plans. The combined base and
incentive development fees generally range from 3.0% to 4.0% for our current projects.
The
Project Owner generally may terminate the development agreement upon written notice to GMH Development if it breaches any of its material obligations under the management agreement
and fails to cure such breach within 30 days.
The Construction/Renovation Company and Property Manager.
GMH Management provides construction/renovation and property
management services to our privatization projects; except that a separate entity, GMH AF Housing/Construction LLC provides these services for our Air Force projects. Construction/renovation
refers to the minor and major renovation work that we perform at our projects. The agreements for work performed at our projects are typically structured as up to a maximum allowance for renovation
work that is agreed upon at the initial closing of the project, but providing that the parties will have to mutually agree upon the actual scope of the renovation work to be performed (either above or
below that allowance) immediately prior to the actual commencement of the renovation work. As a result, the extent of the renovation work to be performed for a project may change significantly from
the terms as contemplated at the commencement of the project operations. The Project Owner pays our management company a base fee equal to a percentage of the total construction/renovation costs for
the project, from the beginning of the initial development period throughout the life of the project. Additionally, our management company typically is entitled to receive construction/renovation
incentive fees from the Project Owner upon the satisfaction of
19
designated
milestones. During the initial development period, our management company is entitled to receive an incentive fee which is based upon a total of the construction/renovation costs during the
period. After the initial development period of a project, the construction/renovation incentive fees are a percentage of total construction/renovation costs for the remainder of the project term.
Milestones for payment of construction/renovation incentive fees typically include completing a specified number of homes according to schedule, achieving specific safety records and implementing
small business or minority subcontracting plans. The combined base and incentive construction/renovation fee generally ranges from 3.0% to 4.0% for our current projects.
In
addition, in certain instances, our management company may receive fees relating to the performance of pre-construction/renovation services. These
pre-construction/renovation fees are determined on a project-by-project basis, and are paid in proportion to the amount of pre-construction/renovation
costs incurred by our management company for the project.
With
regard to property management, the Project Owner contracts with GMH Management, or GMH AF Management/Development LLC with respect to our Air Force projects, to provide
property management services for the project. These services are provided through management agreements, typically having 50-year terms, which extend automatically upon any renewal of the
applicable ground lease. Our management company oversees the leasing of housing units in accordance with the requirements of the ground lease, day-to-day operations of the
project, collection of revenues and depositing the revenues into appropriate accounts, day-to-day maintenance of the project, ordinary repairs, decorations, alterations and
improvements, completion of backlogged maintenance and repairs, payment of taxes imposed on the project, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Our
management company typically is required to prepare and submit an operating budget for the project to the Project Owner on an annual basis. The management agreement typically grants
our
management company the authority to make expenditures and incur obligations included in the operating budget. Our management company also has the authority to make certain emergency expenditures.
As
standard compensation for the services it provides, in general, our management company is paid a base fee, equal to a percentage of effective gross revenue for the project. In
addition, our management company is entitled to receive an incentive fee from the Project Owner upon the satisfaction of designated benchmarks relating to emergency work order responses, occupancy
rates, home turnover and resident satisfaction surveys. The combined base and incentive management fee generally ranges from 3.0% to 4.5% for our current projects.
The
Project Owner generally may terminate the management agreement upon written notice to our management company if it breaches any of its material obligations under the management
agreement and fails to cure such breach within 30 days.
Design/Build Agreement.
In our Navy projects, the Project Owner enters into a design/build agreement with a subsidiary of GMH
Military Housing, LLC for construction, renovation and architectural and design services that are provided through subcontracts with GMH Management and certain third parties.
The Ground Lease.
In all our projects, the Project Owner and the Army, Navy or Air Force, as applicable, enter into a ground
lease pursuant to which the U.S. military branch leases to the Project Owner the real property upon which a particular privatization project is located. We expect future-awarded privatization projects
to operate in a similar fashion. Typically, the initial term of a ground lease is 50 years. With respect to Army privatization projects, the ground lease may be renewable for an additional
period of up to 25 years upon request by the Army and acceptance by the Project Owner. As partial consideration for the execution of a ground lease and performance of its obligations
thereunder, the Project Owner agrees to design, develop, manage, rehabilitate, renovate and maintain
20
the
privatization project. At all times during the term of a ground lease, the U.S. military branch provides the Project Owner access to the privatization project. The use and occupancy of the
privatization project is subject to the general supervision and approval of the applicable military branch, and to such rules and regulations as the U.S. military branch prescribes. The Project Owner
has the right to lease housing units to non-military or non-DoD tenants if vacancy rates hit certain levels.
Some
of the Army ground leases and the Air Force ground leases provide that in the event a base is subject to closure under the BRAC regulations, the Project LLC has the option,
subject to then-existing applicable law, to acquire fee simple title to the real property. There is no guarantee that any purchase option agreement will be enforceable or that any
corresponding purchase option will be exercisable in the event of a base closure under BRAC. The ground leases on our Navy
project, and some of our Army projects, do not provide the Project LLC with a purchase option upon a base closure under BRAC.
Basic Allowance for Housing
The U.S. military's Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, is the primary source of operating revenues of our military housing privatization projects. BAH is a cost
of living stipend distributed monthly by the DoD to members of the U.S. military to cover their and their families' costs of living (i.e., rent and utility expenses) in privately-owned housing,
on or near bases. The intent of BAH is to provide members of the U.S. military equivalent and equitable housing compensation based upon the market prices of rental housing in the local housing markets
surrounding the U.S. military bases. Each year, Congress must appropriate an aggregate budget for BAH for all of the military branches.
The
DoD adjusts, on an annual basis, the BAH stipend to be received by each individual member of the U.S. military to reflect changes in the profile of that particular individual member
of the U.S. military. Specifically, a BAH stipend is computed by estimating the market price of housing that the member of the U.S. military would be expected to rent, based upon his or her geographic
area, pay grade and number of dependents, adding in average utilities and insurance. The particular geographic area surrounding a military base is called a Military Housing Area, or MHA. In computing
a BAH, MHA price data for rentals, average utilities and insurance is collected annually in the spring and summer months when housing markets are most active. Pricing information is surveyed from
local apartments, townhouses and duplexes, as well as from single-family rental units of various bedroom sizes. Although BAH rates can decrease for a geographic duty location, members of the U.S.
military that collect BAH cannot have the amount of their BAH decreased unless a change in status occurs (except that promotions are specifically excluded in the definition of a change in status),
such as a base transfer, a decrease in pay grade or a change in the number of dependents.
Revenue Stream
Typically, a member of the U.S. military who is leasing a housing unit on one of our project bases will elect for his or her monthly BAH to be directly deposited
by the government, via wire transfer, into an operating revenue fund controlled by the Project Owner, subject to certain restrictive covenants required by any outstanding construction finance bonds.
Rental revenues derived from BAH are subsequently paid out of the operating revenue fund by the Project Owner according to a distributive "waterfall" plan set forth in the Project Owner operating
agreement. In general, the BAH revenues associated with our current privatization projects "flow out" of the operating revenue fund on a monthly basis.
-
-
Operating and Other Expenses.
Operating activities include normal administrative, leasing, marketing and
maintenance functions consistent with a typical conventional multi-family project. Expenses relating to these operating activities are financed through equity contributions from the DoD and the
Project LLC, debt financing and other operating cash flow derived from BAH.
21
Revenues
first are applied to pay operating expenses, including GMH Management's standard management fee, equal to a percentage of project revenues derived from BAH, monthly utilities, insurance
premiums, real estate taxes, if any, and other routine maintenance expenses, such as landscaping and preventative maintenance, associated with the housing units.
-
-
Debt Service (including amortization) and Capital Reserves and Replacements.
The Project Owner then uses
remaining revenues to pay down principal and interest on any outstanding indebtedness that was issued to finance a portion of the costs of design, demolition, construction, replacement and renovation
of housing on a particular military base. Debt financing, including taxable revenue bonds and commercial lending arrangements, typically covers up to 90% of total project costs. The indebtedness is
fully funded at the time we enter into definitive agreements for the project. This indebtedness typically requires payments of interest only during the first three to seven years and is amortized over
the remainder of its 35 to 45 year term. The Project LLC allocates revenues to make capital repairs or replacements on any of the existing housing units, such as roofing or siding
repairs.
-
-
Incentive-based Subordinated Management Fee.
GMH Management next receives its incentive management fee, equal to
a percentage of project revenues, derived from any excess rental revenues from BAH, upon satisfying debt service and certain benchmarks.
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-
Construction/Renovation Fees and Development Fees.
At the start of a project's initial development period, which
typically ranges from three to eight years and continues throughout the term of the project as we renovate existing housing and develop and construct additional housing on a particular military base,
GMH Management and GMH Development are entitled to receive standard and incentive construction/renovation and development fees, respectively. In addition, in certain instances, GMH Management may
receive fees relating to the performance of pre-construction/renovation services. These pre-construction/renovation fees are determined on a
project-by-project basis, and are paid in proportion to the amount of pre-construction/renovation costs incurred by GMH Management for the project.
Construction/renovation fees are equal to a percentage of the total construction/renovation costs, and development fees are equal to a percentage of the total development costs. Development costs
include hard costs associated with new construction/renovation, as well as certain soft costs. Generally, the majority of new construction work is completed during the beginning years of an initial
development period, while construction/renovation work is completed throughout the initial development period. During the initial development period these costs are paid out of a construction account,
which is funded by excess cash flow from rental revenues and proceeds from equity contributions and debt offerings. Excess cash flow, for purposes of funding the construction account, includes cash
flow available from BAH rental revenues after payment of operating expenses,
debt service, subordinated management fees and preferred returns (to the extent such preferred returns have not been deferred as part of the project financing). The construction account may have an
equity sub-account to the extent of equity contributed to the Project LLC. Subsequent to the initial development period, all remaining funds are transferred to a reinvestment
account and the construction account is closed. Construction, development and renovation costs will be paid out of the reinvestment account to continuously construct, renovate and rebuild a project.
The payment of construction/renovation fees and development fees to us during the life of a project is not subordinate to the payment of any other fees.
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Preferred Return.
The Project LLC will typically receive, to the extent that adequate funds are
available, an annual, minimum preferred rate of return. On most of our existing projects, this annual minimum preferred rate of return ranges from 9% to 12% of the Project LLC's initial equity
contribution to the project. It should be noted, however, that during the initial development period, the Project Owner is precluded from distributing funds to pay the Project LLC the minimum
preferred rate of return. The unpaid amounts generally will accrue
22
and
accumulate, and can be used to fund renovation and construction costs, if necessary. If the accumulated funds are not needed to fund renovation and construction costs, they would, at the end of
the initial development period, be distributed to pay accrued preferred returns to the Project LLC.
-
-
Split of Remaining Revenues.
Subsequent to the initial development period, any revenues remaining after the
annual, minimum preferred rate of return is paid, as described above, are split between the Project LLC and the reinvestment account held by the Project Owner for the benefit of the government.
On most of our existing projects, the total amount that the Project LLC is entitled to receive (inclusive of the preferred return) is generally capped at an annual, modified rate of return, or
cash-on-cash return on its initial equity contribution to the project. Historically, these annual caps have ranged between approximately 11% to 17% (depending on the particular
project); provided, however, that in some of our more recent deals, we either do not annual caps or we have lower projected annual rates of return. The total capital return generally will include the
annual, minimum preferred return discussed above. The reinvestment account is an account established for the benefit of the military, but funds may be withdrawn for ongoing construction, development
and renovation costs during the remaining life of a privatization project only upon approval of the applicable military branch.
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Return of Equity.
Generally, at the end of a project term, any monies remaining in the reinvestment account are
distributed to the Project LLC and the Army, Navy or Air Force, as applicable, in a predetermined order of priority. Typically these distributions will have the effect of providing the
Project LLC with sufficient funds to provide a minimum annual return over the life of the project and to result in a complete return of its initial capital contribution. After payment to the
Project LLC of the minimum annual return and the return of its initial contribution, all remaining funds will typically be distributed to the Army, Navy or Air Force, as applicable.
In
addition, we receive fees from our relationship partners that provide architectural and design or construction services for our military housing privatization projects. These fees are
for our efforts and expenses incurred while competing for a privatization project award from one of the U.S. military branches, with such a project award not just benefiting us, but our relationship
partners as well. Some examples of the business development services provided by us for the benefit of our relationship partners include acting as the point of contact for, coordinating discussions
with, and preparing and making presentations to, the DoD. Additionally, we take the lead in preparing and drafting the transaction documents for a potential privatization project, evaluating and
communicating potential privatization project requirements, coordinating marketing efforts, providing information technology and temporary on-site offices, and facilitating potential pilot
programs and other development activities. Typically, our partners pay these fees for our business development services to GMH Management, GMH Development and GMH Military Housing
Construction LLC, or GMH Construction, another wholly-owned subsidiary of our taxable REIT subsidiary, GMH Military Housing, LLC.
Strategy
Selective Growth.
By leveraging the substantial industry experience of our management team, we focus on winning military
housing privatization projects on which we selectively choose to bid, based on the strategic importance of the base, and the prime location and profit potential for these projects.
Committed to Superior Management.
In the performance of our obligations under existing military housing privatization
projects, our management team has been, and will continue to be, fully committed to ensuring that members of the U.S. military and their families have high quality, safe, attractive and affordable
housing.
23
Capitalize on Industry Relations.
Our management team has developed relationships with national and regional firms that
specialize in residential and military residence community formation and construction. We maintain business relationships with architectural/engineering and construction companies, such as The Benham
Companies LLC, Balfour Beatty Construction (formerly know as Centex Construction Company, LLC) and Phelps Development LLC, pursuant to which these third parties provide services
to certain of our awarded military projects. We team with these companies because of their proven experience in the construction industry, as well as their size and strength to undertake and to bond
construction work on the large, complex military housing privatization projects.
Additionally, these business partners pay fees to GMH Management, GMH Development or GMH Construction for our business efforts and expenses associated with attracting and winning military
privatization projects. We believe that the retention of highly experienced national and regional companies will provide us with significant competitive advantages in pursuing and winning new
privatization projects.
Acquire Existing Military Housing Privatization Projects.
We will consider using our financial strength and management's past
experience to acquire competitors or the military housing privatization projects that have been awarded to them. For example, in November 2003, GMH Associates acquired the military housing
privatization project for Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado as well as the right to exclusively negotiate the Fort Eustis/Story project out of unrelated bankruptcy proceedings instituted by an
entity affiliated with the J.A. Jones Corporation. In addition, in February 2006, we acquired from American Eagle Communities Northeast, LLC the right to exclusively negotiate the
Carlisle/Picatinny project. The military housing privatization projects are typically very large and complex. As a result, they require experienced and committed larger-scale operators who have the
financial strength to develop, construct, renovate and manage housing units during the initial development period of a project, which typically ranges from three to eight years, and then administer
the continuing development, construction, renovation and management of housing for the remainder of the 50-year project term. The obligations to be performed under these projects are
extremely difficult for smaller, regionalized companies to meet, and we believe our experience in the military housing market provides us with a material competitive advantage in this regard. As the
number of new privatization projects grows, we believe our potential to acquire such projects for additional bases will grow correspondingly.
Market Opportunity
As of March 4, 2008, according to the information made available by the DoD, the remaining military family housing privatization market contains 17,937
housing units to be privatized through 18 additional projects. As of March 4, 2008, awarded projects and exclusive negotiations represent 179,162 end-state housing units through 95
projects.
Although
the DoD's program has focused its efforts almost exclusively on the privatization of family housing, the next stage of development will include the privatization of
unaccompanied personnel (bachelor) housing (UPH). For example, during the fourth quarter of 2006, the Army selected us to design, construct and manage single soldier housing at Fort Bliss and Fort
Stewart, which represented the first unaccompanied housing privatization projects awarded by the Army to date. During the first quarter of 2008, we closed on the award of the UPH project for Fort
Stewart covering 334 end-state housing units, and we expect to close on the award of the UPH project for Fort Bliss during 2008 with up to 330 end-state housing units. In
addition, the Navy has identified three initial sites which will serve as a pilot program for the privatization of unaccompanied military personnel housing, one of which has yet to be awarded and
which we expect to solicit for award during 2008.
We
believe the potential market for unaccompanied personnel housing is significantly larger than that for family housing. Given our management's experience in bidding on military housing
privatization projects, coupled with their extensive student housing experience, we believe that we will
24
have
a competitive advantage in bidding for privatization projects in the unaccompanied housing market; however, we cannot assure you that the DoD will privatize any of these unaccompanied military
personnel housing units beyond those that have already been awarded.
Our
military housing strategy includes the pursuit of already privatized bases from competitors which have been awarded targeted projects. As the number of new privatization projects
grows, the potential for our targeted acquisition of already privatized bases will grow correspondingly.
Additional Military Housing Privatization Projects and Development Opportunities under Review
In addition to the military housing privatization projects for which we have been selected, our management team also had under review, as of March 4, 2008,
six additional potential privatization project opportunities. These projects span multiple bases and total, in the aggregate, approximately 15,825 end-state housing units. Individual
projects identified as opportunities range from approximately 1,180 to 5,000 end-state housing units per project. We consider a project as "under review" once a base has been identified by
the DoD for privatization and our management begins initial due diligence and evaluation of the economic and strategic value of the project. After further due diligence, we may decide not to pursue
any of these potential privatization projects.
Competition
Competition pursuing this business has evolved from a select number of local and regional development firms in 1996, to a distinguished group of national and
international developers, owners and operators of commercial and residential real estate.
Profile of Major Competitors
Company Name
|
|
Awarded Projects(1)
|
|
Number of Units
|
Actus Lend Lease
|
|
13
|
|
37,562
|
Clark Realty
|
|
13
|
|
35,925
|
Picerne Military Housing
|
|
6
|
|
19,627
|
American Eagle Communities, LLC
|
|
5
|
|
5,384
|
Lincoln Properties
|
|
12
|
|
35,386
|
Hunt Building Corporation
|
|
24
|
|
28,952
|
Equity Residential Properties Trust
|
|
1
|
|
3,982
|
Forest City Enterprises
|
|
8
|
|
11,945
|
Source:
Information reported by the DoD as of February 4, 2008.
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(1)
-
Includes
projects for which exclusive rights of negotiation have been awarded.
Financing Strategy
Our targeted leverage ratio is in the range of 45% to 60%. Our debt level changes as we acquire properties or projects and refinance existing properties. The
amount of total indebtedness we decide to incur during any particular period depends on how we structure and finance our property acquisitions and the current market cost of debt. The formula we use
to calculate our leverage ratio is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
Total market capitalization
|
|
|
25
As of December 31, 2007, our leverage ratio was approximately 72%. Our leverage ratio has been impacted by a combination of additional borrowings and a significant decline in the
price of our common shares. Neither our declaration of trust nor our bylaws requires us to maintain a specific leverage ratio and we may determine to exceed the maximum range of our target ratio
depending on the circumstances. If we determine to exceed the maximum range of our target ratio, we may do so without shareholder approval. We will generally decide whether to use debt or equity
financing to acquire a property by considering the most attractive interest rates, repayment terms and maturity dates available in the marketplace at the time, and customize our financing strategy for
each individual transaction. We also may obtain unsecured and/or secured financing through public and private markets. We will access various sources of capital including banks, financial institutions
and institutional investors through lines of credit, bridge loans and other arrangements, including joint ventures with third parties. We also may finance the acquisition of properties through
additional equity securities offerings, including offerings of preferred or common stock or units of our operating partnership.
We
currently have a secured $100.0 million revolving note facility with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or Merrill Lynch. As of December 31, 2007,
the Company had $53.6 million in principal amount of notes outstanding under the note facility bearing interest at 6.38% and an additional $46.4 million was available for draw under the
facility. To the extent that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not completed and we continue our operations, any additional indebtedness that we pursue in the future may be
recourse, non-recourse, unsecured, secured or cross-collateralized. If the indebtedness is recourse, general assets of the debtor may be included in the collateral. If the indebtedness is
non-recourse, the collateral will be limited to the particular property to which the indebtedness relates. In addition, we may invest in properties subject to existing loans secured by
mortgages or similar liens on the properties or refinance properties acquired on a leveraged basis. We may use the proceeds from any borrowings to refinance existing indebtedness, to finance
acquisitions or the redevelopment of existing properties, for general working capital or to purchase interests in partnerships or joint ventures.
Note Facility
On May 7, 2007, GMH Communities, LP, the Company's operating partnership, executed a Note Purchase Agreement with Merrill Lynch. Under the terms of
the Note Purchase Agreement, the operating partnership may borrow, on a revolving basis through April 30, 2010, up to an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million, and subject to
certain conditions, up to an additional $25.0 million for an aggregate of $125.0 million. The structure of the note facility is such that the operating partnership has issued a global
note to Merrill Lynch, as the initial purchaser, which represents the right to borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million at any time through April 30, 2010. Merrill
Lynch has the right under the agreement to transfer borrowings issued under the global note to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. On May 7, 2007, our operating partnership issued a note to Merrill Lynch representing approximately $90.7 million in borrowings under this note facility, which was used to pay a
$1.0 million commitment fee to Merrill Lynch, closing costs associated with obtaining the note facility, as well as outstanding principal and interest due under the Company's line of credit
with Wachovia Bank, N.A. (which was simultaneously terminated). The initial note representing the approximately $90.7 million in borrowings was issued with an interest rate of 7.07% and has a
term through April 30, 2010. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had $53.6 million in principal amount of notes outstanding under the note facility bearing interest at 6.38%.
Additional individual notes representing future borrowings under the global note and Note Purchase Agreement may be issued at any time through the term of the note facility upon notice by our
operating partnership. The Company will have the ability to repay amounts under outstanding notes and to re-borrow amounts through the issuance of new notes, provided that the maximum
amount of notes outstanding at any time during the term of the note facility does not
26
exceed
an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million, or $125.0 million to the extent the note facility may be increased.
The
notes will be administered under the terms of a Trust Indenture, dated May 7, 2007, between GMH Communities, L.P. and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as trustee
("Trust Indenture"). The notes are issuable at an annual interest of LIBOR plus 1.75%, will require monthly payments of interest only, and are secured solely by the fees and equity preferred returns
we receive in connection with the Company's 10 military housing privatization projects in operation as of May 7, 2007, as well as those to be received, if any, under the Company's two
privatization projects that were under exclusive negotiation as of that date (referred to as the "Collateral"). The Trust Indenture contains a number of affirmative and negative covenants and also
contains financial covenants which, among other things, require that we maintain (i) a fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Trust Indenture, of at least 1.15 to 1.00, calculated on a
quarterly basis, (ii) a consolidated tangible net worth, as defined by in the Trust Indenture, of at least $375.0 million, (iii) quarterly minimum Adjusted Management EBITDA, as
defined in the Trust Indenture, of $3.5 million, and (iv) our federal tax status as a REIT. In addition, under the terms of the Trust Indenture, the Company must obtain prior written
consent for certain transactions, including, but not limited to, (i) a merger or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, (ii) certain amendments to transactions
documents relating to the Company's military housing privatization projects to the extent such amendment would result in material adverse change (as defined in the Trust Indenture) or adversely affect
the Collateral; (iii) the sale of any equity interest in the operating partnership, other than in connection with the issuance of common shares under the
equity incentive plan for GMH Communities Trust or similar equity compensation arrangements, and in connection with acquisitions of student housing properties; (iv) entering into transactions
with affiliates relating to or affecting the Collateral; and (v) incurring additional indebtedness, other than indebtedness relating to (a) future property acquisitions or refinancings
or equity commitments with respect to the student housing business, (b) financings or refinancings relating to the above-referenced military housing projects that are non-recourse
to the Company and subject only to customary "bad acts" guarantees, (c) equity commitments related to the above-referenced military housing projects that will not become payable prior to the
payment in full of obligations under outstanding notes, (d) financings for future military housing projects to the extent such debt is investment grade (at least rated Baa by Moody's Investors
Service or BBB by Standard & Poor's) and is non-recourse to the Company, and (e) obligations to contribute equity to military housing projects that do not exceed
$15.0 million on an individual basis. The Trust Indenture also includes usual and customary events of default for loans of this nature and provides that, upon the occurrence of an event of
default, payment of all amounts payable under outstanding notes may be accelerated and/or the lender's commitment may be terminated. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain insolvency or
bankruptcy related events of default, all amounts payable under the note facility shall automatically become immediately due and payable, and the lender's commitment shall automatically terminate.
In
connection with the pledge of the Collateral, the operating partnership and several of its direct and indirect subsidiaries relating to the Company's military housing segment entered
into a Pledge and Security Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, in favor of U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as trustee (the "Pledge and Security Agreement"). Pursuant to the Pledge and Security
Agreement, the parties thereto granted a security interest in the pledgors' rights, title, ownership, equity or other interests in and to the Collateral. In addition, GMH Communities Trust and several
of its direct and indirect subsidiaries relating to the Company's military housing segment executed a Guaranty Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, in favor of the trustee and pursuant to which such
guarantors have guaranteed the obligations of the operating partnership under the Trust Indenture.
Simultaneously
with the completion of the Military Housing Transaction, we will repay all outstanding indebtedness under this note facility using proceeds from the sale to Balfour
Beatty, and
27
will
terminate the note facility. See also the section of this report titled "Risk Factors
Risks Related to the Proposed Company Sale
Transaction"
under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our Operating Partnership
We own our properties and conduct substantially all of our business through our operating partnership, GMH Communities, LP, and its subsidiaries. Holders
of limited partnership units of our operating partnership, other than us, after a one-year holding period and subject to earlier redemption in certain circumstances, will be able to redeem
their limited partnership units for our common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustments for share
splits, dividends, recapitalizations and similar events. At our option, in lieu of issuing common shares upon redemption of limited partnership units, we will be able to pay holders of units a cash
amount equal to the then-current value of our common shares, except that Gary M. Holloway, Sr. will have the right to direct us to issue common shares upon redemption of limited
partnership units that he or his affiliates own subject to his restriction from owning more than 20% of the Company's outstanding common shares. These redemption rights generally may be exercised by
the limited partners at any time after one year. Holders of limited partnership units will receive distributions equivalent to the dividends we pay to holders of our common shares, but holders of
limited partnership units will have no voting rights, except in certain limited circumstances. As the sole owner of the general partner of our operating partnership, we have the exclusive power to
manage and conduct our operating partnership's business, subject to the limitations described in the partnership agreement of our limited partnership. In connection with the investment by affiliates
of Vornado Realty L.P. in our operating partnership, we and our operating partnership have, however, agreed to certain restrictions regarding our activities and assets and the activities and
assets of our operating partnership, a violation of which could expose us and our operating partnership to substantial liability for damages. See "
Our BusinessOur
Agreements with Vornado Realty L.P. and its Affiliates Restrict our Activities
" below.
Our Agreements with Vornado Realty Trust and its Affiliates Restrict Our Activities
In connection with Vornado Realty Trust's investment in our operating partnership as it existed prior to our initial public offering, Vornado also purchased for
$1.0 million a warrant to acquire units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership, common shares of GMH Communities Trust, or a combination of such units of limited
partnership and common shares. Upon closing of our initial public offering, Vornado exercised the warrant to purchase 6,666,667 units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership at a
price of $7.50 per unit. On May 2, 2006, the warrant exercise period ended, and the remaining portion of the warrant automatically converted into 1,817,247 common shares through a net, or
cashless, exercise feature under the warrant.
In
connection with Vornado's investment in our operating partnership, we agreed with Vornado to restrict our activities and investments and those of our operating partnership in a manner
intended to facilitate our qualification as a REIT and to prevent our direct and indirect activities and assets, and those of our operating partnership, from having adverse tax consequences to Vornado
and its affiliates and transferees. Among other things, these restrictions require that neither we nor our operating partnership, without Vornado's consent, hold, directly or indirectly:
(i) equity
interests in entities that are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes;
(ii) stock
of corporations for which an election to be a taxable REIT subsidiary will be made, or of entities qualifying as real estate investment trusts for federal income
tax purposes; and
28
In
addition, these restrictions require that neither we nor our operating partnership, without Vornado's consent, directly or indirectly:
-
-
provide
services other than specified services to tenants of our properties other than through an independent contractor or through a taxable REIT subsidiary; or
-
-
operate
or manage a health care facility or a hotel or similar facility.
If
we breach these restrictions and, as a result, Vornado or certain of its affiliates or transferees fails to qualify as a REIT or otherwise incurs liability for taxes, penalties or
similar charges, we and our operating partnership will be required to indemnify Vornado or certain of its affiliates or transferees for all losses, liabilities, costs and expenses attributable to the
breach, which may be substantial.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
GMH Communities TRS, Inc., a taxable REIT subsidiary that is wholly-owned by our operating partnership, is the parent company of both College Park
Management TRS, Inc. and GMH Military Housing, LLC. College Park Management TRS, Inc. is the taxable REIT subsidiary through which we provide property management services to
certain third-party owners of student housing properties, including colleges, universities and other private owners. GMH Military Housing, LLC is the taxable REIT subsidiary through which we
manage the development, construction and operation of the properties in our military housing business, among other services that neither we nor our operating partnership can undertake directly under
applicable REIT tax rules. Each of our taxable REIT subsidiaries pays income taxes at regular corporate rates on their taxable income.
Regulatory Matters
Many laws and governmental regulations are applicable to the properties we own or will own, and changes in the laws and regulations, or their interpretation by
agencies and the courts, occur frequently. Our current properties and any additional acquired properties must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or the ADA, and the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988, or the FHAA. Under the ADA, all places of public accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The ADA
generally requires that public facilities be made accessible to people with disabilities. In order to comply with the ADA requirements, we may be required to make improvements at our properties in
order to remove barriers to access.
The
FHAA, its state law counterparts and the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of
dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal
custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under the age of 18) and handicap or disability, and in some states, on financial capability. Violation of these laws can
result in significant damage awards to victims. We have a strong policy against any kind of discriminatory behavior and train our employees to avoid discrimination or the appearance of discrimination.
In addition, the FHAA requires apartment properties first occupied after March 13, 1990, to be accessible to the handicapped. The FHAA further requires that we allow residents, at their own
expense and subject to our review, to make private facilities within our properties accessible to people with disabilities. When requested by residents, we
29
will
attempt to make the appropriate and required accommodations to enable them to make the improvements.
Non-compliance
with either the ADA or the FHAA could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. We believe that our current properties
are, and properties to be acquired will be, in compliance in all material respects with present ADA and FHAA requirements.
Insurance
We maintain general liability insurance that provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties resulting from our ownership of the
properties that are leased and occupied. We believe that our properties are covered adequately by insurance.
Environmental Matters
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, a current or previous owner, operator or tenant of real estate may be required to
investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases or threats of releases at such property and may be held liable to a government entity or to third parties for
property damage and for investigation, clean-up and monitoring costs incurred by such parties in connection with the actual or threatened contamination. These laws typically impose
clean-up responsibility and liability without regard to fault, or whether or not the owner, operator or tenant knew of or caused the presence of the contamination. The liability under
these laws may be joint and several for the full amount of the investigation, clean-up and monitoring costs incurred or to be incurred or actions to be undertaken, although a party held
jointly and severally liable may obtain contributions from other identified, solvent, responsible parties of their fair share toward these costs. These costs may be substantial and can exceed the
value of the property. The presence of contamination, or the failure to properly remediate contamination, on a property may adversely affect the ability of the owner, operator or tenant to sell or
rent that property or to borrow funds using such property as collateral and may adversely impact the value of our investment in that property.
Federal
regulations require building owners and those exercising control over a building's management to identify and warn, via signs and labels, of potential hazards posed by workplace
exposure to installed asbestos-containing materials and potentially asbestos-containing materials in their building. The regulations also set forth employee training, record keeping and due diligence
requirements pertaining to asbestos-containing materials and potentially asbestos-containing materials. Significant fines can be assessed for violation of these regulations. Building owners and those
exercising control over a building's management may be subject to an increased risk of personal injury lawsuits by workers and others exposed to asbestos-containing materials and potentially
asbestos-containing materials as a result of these regulations. The regulations may affect the value of a building containing asbestos-containing materials and potentially asbestos-containing
materials in which we have invested. Federal, state and local laws and regulations also govern the removal, encapsulation, disturbance, handling and disposal of asbestos-containing materials and
potentially asbestos-containing materials when such materials are in poor condition or in the event of construction, remodeling, renovation or demolition of a building.
Such laws may impose liability for improper handling or a release to the environment of asbestos-containing materials and potentially asbestos-containing materials and may provide for fines to, and
for third parties to seek recovery from, owners or operators of real property for personal injury or improper work exposure associated with asbestos-containing materials and potentially asbestos-
containing materials.
Prior
to closing any property acquisition, we obtain Phase I environmental assessments in order to attempt to identify potential environmental concerns at the properties. These
assessments are carried out in accordance with an appropriate level of due diligence and generally include a physical site
30
inspection,
a review of relevant federal, state and local environmental and health agency database records, one or more interviews with appropriate site-related personnel, review of the
property's chain of title and review of historic aerial photographs and other information on past uses of the property. We may also conduct limited subsurface investigations and test for substances of
concern where the results of the Phase I environmental assessments or other information indicates possible contamination or where our consultants recommend such procedures. As of
December 31, 2007, we were not aware of any environmental issues regarding our student housing portfolio that would materially adversely affect our student housing business.
While
we may purchase many of our properties on an "as is" basis, all of our purchase contracts contain a due diligence contingency clause, which permits us to reject a property because
of any due diligence issues discovered at the property.
Employees
As of December 31, 2007, the student housing business employed 481 full-time employees and 981 part-time employees, the military
housing business employed 725 full-time employees and 23 part-time employees, and we employed in our corporate staff 101 full-time employees. Employees include
those at the property level providing services as well as regional and corporate staff directly providing services to both the student housing and military housing properties. Part-time
employees are primarily located at the property level in various student housing resident assistance programs. We believe that our relations with our employees are good. As of December 31,
2007, none of our student housing employees were members of an organized labor union; and, with respect to our military housing employees, nine employees employed at our Fort Gordon project are
represented by the Transport Workers Union of America Local 527 and a collective bargaining agreement with these employees was executed on September 14, 2007.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to the Proposed Company Sale Transaction
On February 11, 2008, we, entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement with Balfour Beatty relating to the sale of our military housing division, and the
Merger Agreement relating to the subsequent merger of the Company and its remaining student housing division into a subsidiary of ACC, as described under the heading "Business" in Part I,
Item 1 above. In connection with the Merger, we will file a definitive proxy statement with the SEC. The proxy statement will contain important information about us, the Military Housing
Transaction, the Merger and other related matters. We urge all of our shareholders to read the proxy statement in its entirety. In relation to the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger, we are
subject to certain risks including, but not limited to, those set forth below.
The Military Housing Transaction and the Merger are each subject to a number of conditions which if not satisfied or waived would adversely impact our ability to complete the
sales transactions.
The
Military Housing Transaction, which is expected to close during the second quarter of 2008, is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among other things,
(a) obtaining approvals from our government partners in our military housing privatization projects and certain lenders and other parties that are parties to the agreements and related
documents covering these projects, (b) obtaining regulatory approvals, if any (including the expiration of the waiting period under the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended), (c) receipt of notice that the Military Housing Transaction is not subject to Exon-Florio, (d) repayment of all amounts under our note
facility, including evidence of the release of all liens related to the note facility, (e) the distribution of all the capital stock of College Park Management TRS, Inc. to our operating
31
partnership,
and (f) accuracy of the other parties' representations and warranties and compliance with covenants, and the absence of an effect, event, development or change that could give rise
to a termination of the Securities Purchase Agreement, subject in each case to materiality standards. There can be no assurance that all of the various conditions will be satisfied or waived, if
permitted, or the occurrence of any effect, event, development or change will not transpire. Therefore, there can be no assurance the Military Housing Transaction will be completed.
The
Merger, which also is expected to close during the second quarter of 2008, is subject to certain closing conditions, including among other things, (a) the sale of the military
housing division, (b) obtaining regulatory approvals, if any, (c) the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by ACC with the SEC pursuant to
which the shares of common stock of ACC as part of the merger consideration will be issued to our shareholders, (d) the approval of the Merger by at least two-thirds of all the
votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the holders of all our outstanding common shares, (e) obtaining certain lender consents, (f) completion of all payments and performance of all
other material obligations under the Company's settlement agreement relating to its class action litigation, (g) accuracy of the other parties' representations and warranties and compliance
with covenants, subject in each case to materiality standards, and (h) delivery of tax opinions. There can be no assurance that all of the various conditions will be satisfied or waived, if
permitted, or the occurrence of any effect, event, development or change will not transpire. Therefore, there can be no assurance the Merger will be completed.
Failure to complete the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger could negatively impact our operations and business and financial results.
If
either the Military Housing Transaction or the Merger is not completed, our business and operations may be harmed to the extent that there is uncertainty surrounding the future
direction of the Company and management's strategy. If the Military Housing Transaction is not completed, then our ability to win additional awards of future military housing privatization projects
could be negatively impacted were the DoD to question our ability to sustain our operations in the ordinary course going forward or become reluctant to enter into new relationships with a party that
has been held for sale. In addition, in the event that we are unable to complete the Merger, our student housing residents, third-party management contract clients, vendors and others may similarly
view our company and its operations as unstable in the long-term and may attempt to terminate existing relationships or refuse to enter into new relationships with us. Moreover, in the
event that the Military Housing Transaction is completed and the Merger is not, then we will have terminated our note facility with Merrill Lynch, which we use to fund continuing operations for our
student housing business and general working capital. While management expects to retain an amount of the consideration received from the Military Housing Transaction necessary to provide sufficient
working capital through the anticipated closing of the Merger or until a new credit facility can be established if the Merger is not completed, there can be no assurance that the retained cash
proceeds will be sufficient to fund our operations through the Merger, or going forward in the event the Merger is not completed. Also, if the Military Housing Transaction is completed and the Merger
is not, then the Company's overall operations will be reduced to only our student housing division, which could significantly impact our overall financial condition going forward.
If
the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger are not completed for any reason, we will be subject to several risks, including but not limited to the following:
-
-
the
requirement that, under certain circumstances, including if we sign a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal from another potential buyer of the entire
Company, to pay a termination fee of $8.0 million to Balfour Beatty and $16.0 million to ACC;
32
-
-
the
requirement that, under certain circumstances, including if we breach the Merger Agreement, to pay the costs and expenses of ACC in connection with the Merger up to
$7.5 million;
-
-
the
incurrence of certain costs relating to the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger that are payable whether or not these transactions are completed, including
legal, accounting, financial advisor and printing fees;
-
-
activities
relating to the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger and related uncertainties may lead to a loss of revenue that we may not be able to regain if these
transactions do not occur;
-
-
the
focus of management directed toward the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger and integration planning instead of on our core business and other opportunities that
could have been beneficial to us; and
-
-
the
loss of executive personnel and other employees integral to the continued operations of the Company whereby our continued management operations may be adversely
impacted.
If
the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not completed, we cannot assure our shareholders that these risks will not materialize or materially adversely affect our
business, our financial condition, our operating results, and our cash flows, including our ability to service debt and to make distributions to our shareholders.
Provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement with Balfour Beatty and the Merger Agreement with ACC may deter alternative business combinations and could negatively impact
our business and operations if the agreements are terminated in certain circumstances.
Restrictions
in the Securities Purchase Agreement with Balfour Beatty generally prohibit us from soliciting any proposal to acquire our military housing business, including a proposal
that might be advantageous to our shareholders when compared to the terms and conditions of the Military Housing Transaction. In addition, there are restrictions in the Merger Agreement with ACC that
generally prohibit us from soliciting any acquisition proposal or offer for a merger or business combination with any other party, including a proposal that might be advantageous to our shareholders
when compared to the terms and conditions of the Merger; however, we do have the ability to terminate the Merger Agreement if we receive an acquisition proposal that our Board of Trustees determines
in good faith constitutes a superior proposal, we are not in breach of the Merger Agreement non-solicitation provisions, and we provide ACC three business days to make any adjustments to
the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. If the Military Housing Transaction is not completed, we may be unable to conclude another sale of our military housing division on as favorable
terms, in a timely manner, or at all; and if the Merger is not completed, we may be unable to conclude another merger, sale or combination on as favorable terms, in a timely manner, or at all. If the
Securities Purchase Agreement or the Merger Agreement is terminated, we, in certain specified circumstances, may be required to pay a termination fee of up to $8.0 to Balfour Beatty and
$16.0 million to ACC. In addition, under certain circumstances, we may be required to reimburse ACC for their expenses up to $7.5 million. These provisions may deter third parties from
proposing or pursuing alternative business combinations that might result in greater value to our shareholders than the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger.
33
Uncertainty regarding the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger may cause our clients, vendors, business partners and others to delay or defer decisions concerning their
business with our Company, which may harm our results of operations in the future if the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not completed.
Because
the Military Housing Transaction and the Merger are subject to several closing conditions, including the approval of the Merger by our shareholders, uncertainty exists regarding
the completion of these transactions. With respect to our military housing business, this uncertainty may cause our government and other business partners, vendors/suppliers, and service parties
associated with our military housing projects to delay or defer decisions concerning their business with us, which could negatively affect our military housing operations. In addition, with respect to
our student housing business, the uncertainly of the Merger may cause our tenants, third-party management contract customers, vendors/suppliers and others to delay or defer decisions concerning their
business with us, which could negatively affect our student housing business and results of operations.
The
following risks apply to our business and operations independent of whether the Military Housing Transaction or the Merger is consummated, unless otherwise indicated.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Growth Strategy
If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, any defaults on our mortgage or other indebtedness or the loss of any
of our assets securing such debt could adversely affect our business or result in the secured indebtedness under our current note facility being immediately due and payable.
A
substantial portion of our student housing properties are secured by first mortgages. As of February 1, 2008, we ceased making scheduled payments on mortgages relating to five
student housing properties that had insufficient cash flows to cover debt service. This decision was in conjunction with our ongoing discussions with the lenders to effectuate a work- out
of these loans. The outstanding principal balances on these five properties totals $64.3 million, and the Company has placed
the principal and interest payments due into an escrow account. Pending our discussions, the lenders associated with the mortgage indebtedness have certain remedies, including but not limited to, the
ability to foreclose upon the properties and/or call us into default under the related loan documents.
In
addition, as discussed in the section of this report titled "
Our Business and PropertiesNote Facility
," in connection with
obtaining our current $100.0 million revolving note facility with Merrill Lynch, we granted the lender a security interest in the cash flows from our military housing business. Our cash flow
may be insufficient to make required payments of principal and interest on our debt. Any default in payment of our indebtedness or violation of any covenants in our loan documents could result in the
loss of our investment in the properties or assets securing the debt or, in certain instances, could result in our debt obligations under our note facility being immediately due and payable, to the
extent that we are unable to obtain waivers of financial covenants from our lenders or amend the loan documents. Additionally, some of our indebtedness contains cross default provisions. A default
under a loan with cross default provisions could result in default on other indebtedness.
Pending material litigation or the commencement of an investigation by the SEC could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of
operations.
As
of November 2, 2007, the Company had entered into a settlement agreement with the lead plaintiffs in connection with a class action lawsuit alleging violations of
Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5. The class action lawsuit
had been filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, naming as defendants GMH Communities Trust, Gary M. Holloway, Sr., and Bradley W. Harris, and was brought
on behalf of a class of purchasers of GMH securities between
34
May 5,
2005 and March 10, 2006 based upon the Company's restatement of certain financial results. The Court preliminarily approved the settlement agreement by Order dated
February 13, 2008 and scheduled a Settlement Hearing for April 25, 2008. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, all claims against the Company and related defendants would be
dismissed without admission or presumption of liability or wrongdoing. The settlement agreement is contingent upon various conditions, including, but not limited to, final approval by the Court after
notice to the class. The Company can provide no assurance that the settlement agreement will be approved by the Court; and in the event the settlement is not approved, the Company would be required to
continue to defend itself against the action. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement with ACC, we are required to have completed all payments and performed all material obligations under the
settlement agreement in advance of closing of the Merger. As a result, in the event that we are unable to obtain final approval by the Court after notice to the class, we also may be unable to
complete the Merger.
In
addition, after we alerted the SEC of our 2006 Audit Committee investigation and related matters, the SEC staff initiated an informal inquiry in connection with these matters. If the
SEC ultimately investigates these matters, or any restatements of our financial statements, the investigation could
adversely affect the Company's ability to access the capital markets. In addition, the Company could incur significant legal, accounting and other costs in connection with responding to any such
investigation, and could be required to pay large civil penalties and fines resulting from any enforcement actions that could be instituted by the SEC. The SEC also could impose other sanctions
against us or certain of our executive officers. These additional costs, together with the likely strain on management's time and attention and other of our operational resources in addressing any
such investigation, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We have reported net losses in the past and, if the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, we may continue to do so
in the future.
For
the year ended December 31, 2006, we reported net losses. With respect to the periods during 2006, these losses were primarily attributable to increased expenses incurred
during those periods relating to our previously disclosed Audit Committee special investigation and activities of the Special Committee of the Board of Trustees. In addition, throughout 2007, we
experienced increases in expenses relating to our student housing business and expect to continue to experience increases in these expenses going forward. We also began to incur expenses relating to
our pending sale transactions with Balfour Beatty and ACC in early 2008 and will continue to incur these expenses through at least the first half of 2008. If the Military Housing Transaction and/or
the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, and to the extent that we are unable to manage any of these ongoing expenses, our operating results continue to result in additional
losses for the Company. As referenced in the risk factor above, we also may incur significant legal expenses relating to defending the pending securities litigation against the Company. If our student
housing and military housing businesses do not generate sufficient revenue from operations to maintain profitability, we may continue to experience losses from operations.
Since our initial public offering, our cash flow from operations has been insufficient to fund our dividend distributions to our shareholders, and it could continue to be so in
the future. If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, and to the extent our cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund our
dividend distributions, we expect to borrow funds or to lower our dividend distributions.
Since
completion of our initial public offering, we have used borrowings under our credit lines/facilities to pay a portion of dividend distributions to our shareholders. Under the terms
of the Merger, we are not permitted to make regular quarterly distributions to our shareholders after our first quarter distribution. If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not
consummated and we
35
continue
our operations, we expect that during 2008 our cash flow from operations will continue to be the primary source of funding for our distributions to shareholders, and that to the extent that
we are unable to fund our dividend distributions with cash flow from operations, we may be required to borrow funds in order to make distributions at historical levels. Under our current note facility
with Merrill Lynch, we are not required to obtain lender consent to the use of funds borrowed thereunder for payment of any future dividend distributions provided that we maintain certain financial
covenants. See the section of this report titled "
Our Business and PropertiesLine of Credit.
" In the event we complete the Military Housing
Transaction with Balfour Beatty, however, we will terminate our note facility and therefore will not have access to immediate borrowings under any credit line. If we seek to borrow funds from another
lending source, we may be unable to find one in a timely fashion or on acceptable terms. To the extent that we do not have sufficient sources to fund our dividend distributions at historical levels,
either from cash flows or borrowed funds, we may be required to lower our dividend distributions. Any additional indebtedness that we incur with respect to payment of our dividend distributions also
will increase our leverage and could decrease our ability to borrow money for other needs, such as the acquisition or development of student housing properties and investments in military housing
privatization projects to the extent that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not completed and we continue our operations.
Our internal control over financial reporting may not be sufficient to ensure timely and reliable financial information.
As
discussed under Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, in connection with the completion of the audit of our
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and an investigation performed by our Audit Committee commenced during the first quarter of 2006, the Company identified and
communicated to the Company's independent registered public accounting firm "material weaknesses" involving internal control over financial reporting and its function. Although management's report on
internal control over financial reporting as contained in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007
indicates the presence of no material weaknesses in internal control as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, there can be no assurance that internal control systems will continue
to remain effective going forward, or that further remediation efforts will not be required in order to maintain our internal control over financial reporting.
To
the extent that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not completed and we continue our operations, the Company's prior growth or focus by our management and staff
directed toward the pending sale transactions and integration planning instead of on our core business and other opportunities could continue to place stress on our internal control systems, and there
can be no assurance that the Company's current control procedures will be adequate. Even after corrective actions have been implemented, the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over
financial
reporting may be limited by a variety of risks, including faulty human judgment and simple errors, omissions and mistakes, inappropriate management override of procedures, and risk that enhanced
controls and procedures may still not be adequate to assure timely and reliable financial information. If the Company fails to have effective internal control over financial reporting in place, it
could be unable to provide timely and reliable financial information.
We commenced operations through our operating partnership in 2004, have a limited history of operating and owning our student housing properties and investments in military
housing privatization projects, and therefore may have difficulty successfully and profitably operating our business.
We
have only recently commenced operations through the acquisition of our student housing properties, investments in military housing privatization projects and agreements to manage
student housing for others by our operating partnership in connection with our initial public offering in
36
November
2004 and the related formation transactions at the time of our initial public offering. As a result, we have a limited operating history and limited experience in owning these student housing
properties and operating these military housing privatization projects. Furthermore, we acquired most of our student housing properties and investments in military housing privatization projects we
own as of the date of this report primarily within the past two years and we have limited operating histories for the properties currently under management. Consequently, our historical operating
results and the financial data set forth in this report may not be useful in assessing our likely future performance. In the event that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not
consummated and we continue our operations, we cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient net income from operations to make distributions to our shareholders.
Historically, we have experienced rapid growth in our student housing and military housing businesses and may not be able to adapt our management and operational systems to
respond to the acquisition and integration of these properties and investments in privatization projects, or to the extent the pending sale of the Company is not consummated and we continue our
operations, to respond to new properties and projects that we may acquire in the future, without unanticipated disruption or expense.
We
acquired all of our student housing properties and investments in military housing privatization projects since July 2004 and expect to continue to acquire additional student housing
properties and invest in military housing privatization projects going forward.
As
a result of the rapid historical growth of our portfolio, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adapt our management, administrative, accounting and operational systems, or
hire or retain sufficient operational staff to integrate these student housing properties and investments in military housing privatization projects into our portfolio. In addition, to the extent that
the Military Housing Transaction and/or Merger are not consummated and we continue to pursue acquisitions of new student housing
properties and/or military housing projects, we may be unable to manage these acquisitions without operating disruptions or unanticipated costs. Our failure to successfully integrate any future
student housing property acquisitions, student housing property management contracts or military housing privatization projects into our portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations and financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, we expect our real estate investments to continue to be concentrated
in student housing and military housing, making us more vulnerable to economic downturns in these housing markets than if our investments were diversified across several industry or property
types.
We
elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes in connection with the filing of our tax return for the taxable year ended December 31, 2004, and we expect to
continue to qualify as a REIT in the future. Accordingly, to the extent that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated, we will invest primarily in real estate. We also
would intend to acquire, manage, and to a lesser extent, develop student housing properties, and to develop, construct, renovate and manage military housing properties. We are subject to risks
inherent in concentrating investments in real estate. The risks resulting from a lack of diversification become even greater as a result of our business strategy to invest primarily in student and
military housing properties. A downturn in the student or military housing markets could negatively affect our ability to lease our properties to new student residents and our ability to profitably
operate our military housing privatization projects or obtain new privatization projects. These adverse effects could be more pronounced than if we diversified our investments outside of real estate
or outside of the student and military housing markets. In addition, to the extent that we complete the Military Housing Transaction with Balfour Beatty and do not complete the Merger, then our
operations will consist solely of student housing, and
37
any
adverse effects from events within that industry could have an even further pronounced negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, we may be unable to successfully perform our obligations under our
current student housing property management agreements and current military housing privatization projects, and our ability to execute our business plan and our operating results could be adversely
affected.
In
the event that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully manage
our student housing properties, or develop, construct, renovate and manage the military housing properties under our privatization projects, or that we will be able to perform our obligations under
our current student housing property management agreements or military housing privatization projects. If we are unable to perform, we may be unable to execute our business plan, which could have a
material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
We have agreed with Vornado Realty L.P. that our activities will satisfy certain requirements. If we are unable to satisfy these requirements we could be liable for
substantial amounts.
In
connection with the investment by affiliates of Vornado Realty L.P. in our operating partnership and the issuance of a warrant to Vornado Realty L.P., we and our
operating partnership have agreed to certain restrictions regarding our activities and assets and the activities and assets of our operating partnership. If we breach any of these agreements, and, as
a result, Vornado Realty L.P. fails to maintain its qualification as a REIT or otherwise incurs liability for any tax, penalty or similar charges, we and our operating partnership could be
exposed to substantial liability for damages attributable to our breach.
If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, we are subject to risks associated with the general development of
housing properties, including those associated with construction, lease-up, financing, real estate tax exemptions, cost overruns and delays in obtaining necessary approvals, and the risk
that we may be unable to meet schedule or performance requirements of our contracts.
If
the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, we intend to continue to acquire, manage, and to a lesser extent, develop
student housing properties, and to develop, construct, renovate and manage military housing properties under our privatization projects, in accordance with our business plan. We also would continue to
engage in the development and construction of student housing properties. These activities may include the following risks:
-
-
construction/renovation
costs of a property may exceed original estimates, possibly making the development uneconomical;
-
-
occupancy
rates and rents at newly completed student housing properties or military housing properties may be insufficient to make the properties profitable to us or to
provide sufficient cash flows to fund future development, construction or renovation periods;
-
-
acceptable
financing may not be available on favorable terms for development or acquisition of a property, especially as a result of recent volatility in the U.S. markets
resulting from sub-prime mortgage debt concerns;
-
-
leasing
of a property may take longer than expected;
-
-
development
efforts may be abandoned;
38
-
-
obtaining
real estate tax exemptions acceptable to the DoD; and
-
-
new
construction may not be completed on schedule, resulting in increased debt service expense and development costs, delayed leasing and possible termination of our
management contracts (particularly with respect to our military housing privatization projects).
In
addition, any new development or management activities, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately successful, typically will require a substantial portion of the time and
attention of our management. Development and management activities also are subject to risks relating to the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, the necessary zoning, land-use,
building, occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations.
The
development and operation of real estate projects entails certain risks, including risks that costs of a project may exceed original estimates, and that the project will fail to
conform to building plans, specifications and timetables, which may in turn be affected by strikes, weather, government regulations and other conditions beyond our control. In addition, we may become
liable for injuries and accidents occurring on our properties and for environmental liabilities related to our property sites.
Our management has limited prior experience operating a REIT or a public company. If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our
operations, these limitations may impede the ability of our management to execute our business plan successfully and operate our business profitably.
Our
management has limited prior experience in operating a REIT or in managing a publicly-owned company, or managing growth at levels that may occur in the future. We cannot assure you
that the operating performance of our student housing properties and military housing privatization projects will
not decline under our management if the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations,. We may be unable to hire additional personnel on a timely
basis. Therefore, you should be especially cautious in drawing conclusions about the ability of our management team to execute our business plan.
Specific Risks Related to Our Student Housing Business
Virtually all of our student housing leases, which typically have a 12-month lease term, become subject to renewal with existing student residents or
lease-up with new student residents prior to the start of the academic year at colleges and universities. If we are unable to renew or lease-up our student housing properties
prior to the start of the academic year, our chances of leasing these properties during subsequent months is reduced, and correspondingly, our rents and operating results will be adversely
affected.
As
a result of the student demand for rental housing during the several months prior to the beginning of the academic year at colleges and universities, which typically lasts from
January through July, we generally lease our student housing properties to students under 12-month leases during this period. During this lease-up period, we typically will
execute the majority of our leases for student housing units and therefore are dependent on the effectiveness of the marketing efforts of our on-site management teams. Because the terms of
these leases will end at, or near the same time, we must re-lease the majority of our student housing units during this limited timeframe. If our marketing and leasing efforts are
unsuccessful during this limited lease-up period, we may be unable to lease a substantial majority of our student housing units. Consequently, the failure to adequately market and
lease-up our properties could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
39
We face significant competition from university-owned on-campus student housing, from other off-campus student housing properties and from traditional
multi-family housing located near colleges and universities.
On-campus
student housing has certain advantages over off-campus student housing in terms of physical proximity to the university campus and integration of
on-campus facilities into the academic community. Colleges and universities can generally avoid real estate taxes and borrow funds at lower interest rates than we and other private owners
and operators can.
Currently,
the off-campus student housing industry is fragmented with no participant holding a significant market share. We also compete with national and regional
owner-operators of off-campus student housing in a number of markets, as well as with smaller local owner-operators. Our properties often compete directly with a number of student housing
complexes that are located near or in the same general vicinity of many of our properties. These competing student housing complexes may be newer than our properties, located closer to campus, charge
less rent, possess more attractive amenities or offer more services or shorter terms or more flexible leases.
Rental
income at a particular property could also be affected by a number of other factors, including the construction of new on-campus and off-campus residences,
increases or decreases in the general levels of rents for housing in competing communities, increases or decreases in the number of students enrolled at one or more of the colleges or universities in
the property's market and other general economic conditions.
We
believe that a number of other large national companies with substantial financial and marketing resources may be potential entrants in the student housing business. The entry of one
or more of these companies could increase competition for students and for the acquisition, development and management of other student housing properties.
Our student housing operations may be adversely affected by changing university admission and housing policies and our inability to maintain relationships with local colleges
and universities.
A
change in university admission policies could adversely affect our ability to lease our student housing properties. For example, if a university reduces the number of student
admissions or requires that a certain class of students (e.g., freshmen) live in a university-owned facility, the demand for beds at our properties may be reduced and our occupancy rates may
decline. We may be unable to modify our marketing efforts to compensate for a change in a college's or university's admission policy prior to the commencement of the annual lease-up period
and any additional marketing efforts may be unsuccessful.
In
addition, our ability to successfully lease our student housing properties depends on a number of factors, including maintaining good relationships with college and university
communities (especially in connection with colleges and universities that refer students to us) and our continued ability to attract student residents to our properties. Many colleges and universities
assist their students in the identification of attractive student-friendly off-campus housing through the distribution of off-campus property materials and the recommendation
of college- and university-approved off-campus housing properties on their web sites. If colleges and universities change their policies on recommending off-campus student
housing to their students, or cease distribution of off-campus student housing marketing materials to their students, our ability to attract student residents and to lease and collect
rents on our student housing properties could be adversely affected. Consequently, the failure to maintain relationships with local colleges and universities could have a material adverse effect on
our student housing business.
40
We may be unable to successfully acquire, develop and manage student housing properties on favorable terms.
Our
future growth within the student housing business is dependent upon our ability to successfully acquire or develop new properties on favorable terms. As we acquire or develop
additional properties, we will be subject to risks associated with managing new properties, including lease-up and integration risks. Newly-acquired properties may not perform as expected
and may have characteristics or deficiencies unknown to us at the time of acquisition. During the remainder of 2008, we may seek to acquire or develop new student housing properties solely through
joint ventures with third parties. There can be no assurance that future acquisition and development opportunities will be available to us on terms that meet our investment criteria, that we will be
able to identify suitable joint venture partners on terms acceptable to us, or that we will be successful in capitalizing on such opportunities. Our ability to capitalize on such opportunities will be
largely dependent upon external sources of capital that may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all.
Our
ability to acquire properties on favorable terms and successfully operate them may expose us to the following significant risks:
-
-
potential
inability to acquire a desired property because of competition from other real estate investors;
-
-
we
may be unable to locate acceptable joint venture partners with whom we would negotiate to acquire and/or develop the properties;
-
-
competition
from other potential acquirers may significantly increase a property's purchase price;
-
-
we
may be unable to finance our equity portion of an acquisition on favorable terms or at all;
-
-
we
may have to incur significant capital expenditures to improve or renovate acquired properties;
-
-
we
may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into our existing operations;
-
-
market
conditions may result in higher than expected vacancy rates and lower than expected rental rates; and
-
-
we
may acquire properties subject to liabilities without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, to the sellers, or with liabilities that are unknown to us, such as
liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination, claims by tenants, vendors or other persons dealing with the former owners of our properties and claims for
indemnification by members, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of our properties.
In
addition, as a result of the recent volatility in the U.S. markets resulting from concerns over sub-prime mortgage loans, access to mortgage debt needed to finance future
property
acquisitions may be more difficult to obtain and we may not unable to obtain such debt on terms that are as favorable to us. Our failure to finance property acquisitions on favorable terms, or operate
acquired properties to meet our financial expectations, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The lenders of certain non-recourse mortgage indebtedness that we assume or place on our properties could have recourse against us for the full amounts of their
loans under certain circumstances.
As
of December 31, 2007, we had $961.5 million in aggregate principal amount of mortgage debt secured by our properties. In general, mortgage debt is
non-recourse to the subsidiary that owns the property and places the mortgage debt on the property, and will be non-recourse to us. However, the terms of each of the loans to
which the mortgage debt relates include provisions that enable the lender to have recourse to the borrower generally if the borrower misrepresented certain facts or committed
41
fraud.
If one or more of the borrowers under our mortgage indebtedness exercises its rights to recourse against us for the full amount of the mortgage debt outstanding under their loans, our liquidity
and financial condition could be adversely affected. See also the risk factor above titled "
If the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we
continue our operations, any defaults on our mortgage or other indebtedness or the loss of any of our assets securing such debt could adversely affect our business or result in the secured
indebtedness under our current note facility being immediately due and payable."
Specific Risks Related to our Military Housing Business
The joint ventures that own our military housing privatization projects have high leverage ratios which could cause us to lose cash flows and our investments in those projects
if the joint ventures are unable to pay their debt service obligations.
Typically,
up to 90% of the capitalization of the joint ventures that own our military housing privatization projects is debt, such as through the sale of taxable bonds to the public.
These joint ventures generally are not required to be consolidated with our operations, and as a result this indebtedness is not reflected on our balance sheet. As a result of the high leverage ratios
of these joint ventures, reductions in their revenues could impair their ability to service their debt. For example, if the BAH paid to members of the U.S. military is reduced, the personnel is
reduced at the bases where our projects are located or these bases are closed, the revenue generated by these joint ventures could
decrease. In addition, to the extent that any of our projects are restructured, resulting in a significant loss of end-state housing units covered by the project, the revenues generated by
the project would be reduced and could materially impair the ability to make payments to bondholders for bonds issued in connection with the project's financing. If any of the joint ventures covering
our military housing privatization projects cannot service its indebtedness, we may not be paid with respect to certain projects on our development, construction, renovation and/or management fees,
which would adversely affect our operating results. We also could lose our entire initial equity and any other additional investments in the project, which could adversely affect our financial
condition.
Our ability to earn development, construction/renovation and management fees, including related incentive fees, depends on the joint ventures that own our military housing
privatization projects achieving specified operating milestones and thresholds.
The
joint ventures that own our military housing privatization projects derive substantially all of their revenues from the BAH of their tenants. This revenue is then paid out by the
joint ventures according to a distribution "waterfall" plan set forth in the joint ventures' governing documents. Other than the standard management fee we earn, which is typically 2% to 3% of the
BAH-related project revenues, and other disbursements, such as routine maintenance, utilities, taxes and insurance, no funds are available to be paid out to us until the joint ventures'
debt service obligations are satisfied. Thereafter, we only earn incentive management fees, preferential and other returns and on-going construction/renovation and development fees if the
joint venture achieves operating milestones and thresholds specified in their governing documents, such as maintaining a certain number of end-state housing units online or completing the
construction or renovation of a certain number of housing units by certain dates. Due to the inherent inability to predict possible delays in construction or renovation as a result of weather or
unknown site conditions (such as environmental or structural concerns), our joint ventures with the military could experience construction/renovation delays that could impact the joint venture's
ability to meet deadlines or achieve operating milestones/thresholds. Our joint ventures have historically sought change orders in order to approve certain construction/renovation delays or approve
additional draws needed to complete construction/renovation work relating to such delays. These change orders must be approved by the lenders associated with the financing of the project, and there
can be no guarantee that the joint venture's change orders will be approved in order to meet the
42
operating
milestones/thresholds under the project documents, or at all. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the joint ventures will achieve these operating milestones and thresholds, or that if the
joint ventures achieve these milestones and thresholds, that funds will remain to pay incentive management fees, preferential and other returns and on-going construction/renovation and
development fees. If the joint ventures fail to achieve these milestones and thresholds or, if funds are not available to pay incentive management fees, preferential and other returns and
on-going construction/renovation and development fees, the operating results of our military housing business could fluctuate significantly over the course of the project and could suffer.
We rely on key partners and contractors in connection with the construction and development of our military housing privatization projects, and our inability to maintain these
relationships or to engage new partners or subcontractors under commercially acceptable terms to us could impair our ability to
successfully complete the construction and development of our military housing privatization projects and to obtain new military housing privatization projects.
We
are dependent upon our relationships with partners and subcontractors in connection with the construction, renovation and development of our military housing privatization projects.
Particularly, our management team has relationships with Balfour Beatty Construction (formerly known as Centex Construction Company, LLC), The Benham Companies, LLC, and Phelps
Development, LLC. Subject to the terms of our agreements with these construction, renovation and design partners and contractors, these parties provide services to those military housing
privatization projects in which they are involved. To the extent that we are unable to maintain our relationships with these partners and contractors or to engage new partners and contractors under
terms acceptable to us, our ability to complete a project in a timely fashion, or at a profit, may be impaired. If the amount we are required to pay for these services exceeds the amount we have
estimated in bidding for military housing privatization projects or other fixed-price work, we could experience losses in the performance of these projects. In addition, if a partner or subcontractor
was unable to deliver its services according to our negotiated terms with them for any reason, including the deterioration of its financial condition, another subcontractor would need to be obtained
to perform the services, potentially at a higher price. This may result in the significant delay or additional costs associated with performance under our military housing privatization projects, the
adverse effect on our operating results through a reduction in the profit to be realized, or the recognition of a loss on a project for which the services were needed. In addition, if we are unable to
successfully manage the provision of services by our partners and contractors, we may not be awarded future military housing privatization projects.
Certain military bases for which we own and operate a military housing privatization project have been approved for reduction of troops or closure under the BRAC regulations.
Our operating revenues from these projects and the value of our equity interest in the projects may be reduced, and our overall military housing segment revenues could be adversely affected with
respect to the military bases under any of these military housing privatization projects.
As
part of the DoD's substantial reduction in the size of the U.S. military following the end of the Cold War, the federal government undertook four rounds of BRAC beginning in 1988, and
again in 1991, 1993 and 1995. The fifth round of BRAC was initiated in 2004 and was completed on November 9, 2005, when, under current legislation, the final list of additional bases
recommended for realignment or closure was approved by both President Bush and Congress. The BRAC law sets out a process that includes specific dates for government action and the creation of an
independent commission appointed by the President. By way of background, the DoD released its initial recommendations for BRAC in May 2005, and the BRAC Commission then voted to amend the DoD's
initial list on July 19, 2005. Under the BRAC Commission's revisions, several bases were removed from the DoD's list of bases targeted for closure, including the Submarine Base in New London,
Connecticut and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, both of which are part of our Navy Northeast
43
Region
military housing privatization project. In addition, the BRAC Commission also proposed a less significant realignment at the Fort Eustis base under our Fort Eustis/Fort Story project in Newport
News, Virginia than was proposed by the DoD. However, the BRAC Commission proposed to close the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine, which had been recommended by the DoD to be realigned. Finally,
the BRAC Commission voted to uphold the DoD's recommendation to close the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. In September 2005, President Bush accepted the BRAC Commission's
recommendations in their entirety. On November 9, 2005, the BRAC round was completed when Congress approved the BRAC Commission's recommendations in their entirety.
Under
the final BRAC list as compared to the original DoD recommendations, the possible number of affected military housing units covered by our existing projects was reduced from 2,500
to 700 units, which remaining 700 units are located at the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine. We believe that the closure of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center will not result in the loss of
housing units, as these housing units are likely to be utilized by personnel who will be relocated from serving at Walter Reed to serving at nearby military medical facilities.
If
a base for which we maintain a privatization project is realigned or closed, our main source of tenants, members of the U.S. military and their families, will not continue to require
housing at or near the base, resulting in a decreased rental revenue stream. This in turn may jeopardize our ability to collect future fees, and the value of our equity interest in the project could
be adversely affected due to a reduction in its scope, to the extent that we are unable to re-lease any vacant units. The military housing privatization initiative had not been undertaken
at the time of previous BRAC rounds, and therefore there is no historical information regarding the impact of a base closure on a military housing privatization project. To date, there has been no
indication from the DoD or the BRAC Commission that the federal government has factored into its analysis the possible effects that a base closure or realignment resulting from BRAC could have with
respect to the outstanding debt financing for a project. In addition, prior BRAC rounds have shown that even once a base is approved for closure or realignment, the actual closing or realignment of
the base could take several years to be completed. Accordingly, management currently expects that the closure of the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine will not occur for at least three years. We
are unable to determine with any certainty, however, the specific impact, and the timing of any such impact, that base closures and realignments at our projects will have on our military housing
operating results, other than the possible cessation or reduction of fees related to the affected bases.
In
addition, it is inherent in the nature of military service that members of the military may be deployed and stationed away from a particular base for an extended period of time or
permanently be reassigned to another base. As a result of such absences, dependents may move out of military housing facilities resulting in vacant housing units to be managed and
re-leased by us. Typical military housing lease agreements, which have a one-year lease term and continue month-to-month thereafter, provide that a
military resident may terminate a lease and be released from any further obligations under the lease upon receipt of orders requiring the resident to be deployed or temporarily or permanently
stationed away from the base for more than 90 days by providing us with proof of orders and an appropriate letter from the resident's commanding officer. If we are unable to
re-lease these vacant units, the management fee revenue derived from the project's rental revenues will decrease, and the project may be unable to be appropriately funded for construction
and renovation of units throughout the term of the project. We also may be unable to receive any other fees that we may have otherwise earned under the project, and the projected, or any, return on
our investment in the project. Any such effect could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If
there are significant numbers of base closures, force reductions or troop deployments that affect our existing military housing privatization projects, we may be unable to achieve the
anticipated operating revenues to be derived from these projects and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
44
We are subject to the risks associated with conducting business with the federal government, such as the government's discontinuation of federal funding for some or all of its
military housing privatization projects and the need to win new military housing privatization projects through a competitive bidding process.
We
are subject to risks associated with conducting business with the federal government. The DoD, pursuant to its authority granted under the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act, has
approved, as of March 4, 2008, the award of 95 military housing privatization projects to private owners, and the future award of an additional 18 projects. Any Congressional action to reduce
budgetary spending by the DoD could limit the continued funding of these private-sector projects and could limit our ability to obtain additional privatization projects, which would have a material
adverse effect on our business. The risks of conducting business with the federal government also include the risk of civil and criminal fines and the risk of public scrutiny of our performance at
high profile sites.
In
addition, privatization projects are currently awarded pursuant to a competitive bidding process, which differs procedurally with respect to each U.S. military branch. Generally,
after a proposed site has been identified by a military branch for privatization, prospective companies must submit a proposal complying with specified guidelines demonstrating that the company will
be able to successfully complete the project in accordance with the government requirements. The project winner is awarded the exclusive right to develop, construct, renovate and manage family housing
at a military base throughout the duration of the ground lease, typically for a 50-year period. The competition pursuing privatization projects currently consists of a small, distinguished
list of national and international developers, owners and operators of commercial and residential real estate. We cannot predict whether the number of companies that we compete against for the award
of privatization projects will increase significantly in the future, or that we will be able to effectively compete against other private owners for projects awarded in the future.
The
termination of the DoD's authority to grant privatization projects, the reduction of government funding for such projects and our inability to effectively compete for the award of
future projects could have a material adverse effect on our military housing business and, correspondingly, on our operating results and financial condition.
If Congress does not approve appropriations each year relating to the provision of the BAH paid to members of the U.S. military, which is the primary source of rental revenues
under our military
housing privatization projects, or if BAH were eliminated, our operating revenues and projected returns on investments from our military housing privatization projects would be significantly
reduced.
Each
year Congress must appropriate a budget for BAH for all of the branches of the U.S. military. We cannot assure you that such appropriations will be made in any given year, that the
appropriation each year will occur on a timely basis, or that the amount of BAH appropriated will be sufficient to keep up with escalations in cost of living expenses. Moreover, we cannot assure you
that the method of calculation, timing of payment, analysis of comparable market rents, cost of living increases or other issues affecting the amount and receipt of BAH by members of the U.S. military
will not change from time to time, with possible material adverse consequences for the amount of operating revenues generated by our military housing privatization projects. The foregoing description
of BAH is based on current law and DoD procedures. Congress can change the law and the DoD can revise its procedures at any time. We cannot assure you that such changes will not be made and, if
changes are made, such changes may have a material adverse effect on the level of our operating revenues generated by our privatization projects.
If we are unable to reach definitive agreements regarding the military housing privatization projects that are under exclusive negotiations with the U.S. military or as to
which we are participating in a
45
solicitation process, we would be unable to recover any costs incurred during the period of exclusivity or solicitation.
When
we are initially selected for a military housing privatization project through the bidding process, we receive only the right to enter into exclusive negotiations with the
applicable U.S. military branch, and the award of the project to us is subject to final approval from the U.S. military branch and Congress. During this exclusivity period, or during a
pre-award solicitation period, each of which typically lasts between six months to one year, we will develop and present our plans to develop, construct, renovate and manage the project
and may incur significant costs during this process. These costs include, among other things, surveyors, equipment, vehicles, on-site personnel salary and wages, inventory, and office and
administrative set-up costs.
We
cannot assure you that we will receive final approval from Congress on the award of any projects currently under exclusive negotiations or as to which we are participating in a
solicitation process, or that the U.S. military branch will not decide to award the project to a competitor at the end of our exclusive negotiations or the solicitation process. In addition, awards of
exclusive negotiations by the U.S. military are subject to protest by bidders who were involved in the solicitation process, but were not ultimately chosen to be awarded exclusive negotiations for the
subject project. If we do not receive final approval on the award of the project from the U.S. military branch or Congress or the military branch loses a protest of an award of exclusive negotiations
to us, we may be unable to recover all of the costs that we have incurred during the exclusivity period or the solicitation process through our general military housing operations. Our failure to
recover costs that we incur in connection with military housing privatization projects that are under exclusive negotiations or as to which we are
participating in a solicitation process may cause the operating results of our military housing business to be adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Organization and Structure
Our Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of additional shares that may cause dilution.
Our
declaration of trust authorizes our Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval, to:
-
-
amend
the declaration of trust to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest or the number of shares of beneficial interest of any class that
we have the authority to issue;
-
-
authorize
the issuance of additional common or preferred shares, or units of our operating partnership which may be convertible into common shares; and
-
-
classify
or reclassify any unissued common shares or preferred shares and to set the preferences, rights and other terms of such classified or reclassified shares, including
preferred shares that have preference rights over the common shares with respect to dividends, liquidation, voting and other matters or common shares that have preference rights with respect to
voting.
The
issuance of additional shares could be substantially dilutive to our existing shareholders.
Our Board of Trustees may approve the issuance of a class or series of common or preferred shares with terms that may discourage a third party from acquiring
us.
Our
Board of Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued common or preferred shares and establish the preferences and rights (including the right to vote, participate in earnings
and convert into common shares) of any such shares. Therefore, our Board of Trustees could authorize the issuance of a class or series of common or preferred shares with terms and conditions which
could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction in which holders of some or a majority of the common
46
shares
might receive a premium for their shares over the then current market price of our common shares.
Our rights and the rights of our shareholders to take action against our trustees and officers are limited, which could limit your recourse in the event of actions taken that
are not in your best interests.
Our
declaration of trust authorizes us and our bylaws require us to indemnify and advance expenses to our trustees and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the
fullest extent permitted by Maryland law. In addition, our declaration of trust limits the liability of our trustees and officers for money damages, except for liabilities resulting from:
-
-
actual
receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or
-
-
a
final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the trustee or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated.
As
a result, we and our shareholders may have more limited rights against our trustees and officers than might otherwise exist.
Our ownership limitations may restrict business combination opportunities.
To
qualify as a REIT under the Code, no more than 50% of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in
the Code to include certain types of entities) during the last half of each taxable year (other than our first REIT taxable year). Our declaration of trust prohibits, subject to certain exceptions,
direct or indirect ownership (including by virtue of applicable constructive ownership rules) by any person of more than 7.1% of our outstanding shares (as determined by reference to value) or more
than 7.1% of our outstanding common shares (as determined by reference to number or value, whichever is more restrictive), other than (i) Gary M. Holloway, Sr. and certain related persons, who
are permitted in the aggregate to own up to 20% of the value of our outstanding shares or up to 20% of the number or value of our outstanding common shares, whichever is more restrictive,
(ii) Steven Roth and certain related persons, who are permitted in the aggregate to own up to 8.5% of the value of our outstanding shares or up to 8.5% of the number or value of our common
shares, whichever is more restrictive, and (iii) Vornado Realty L.P., certain persons related to Vornado Realty L.P., certain of transferees or assignees of Vornado
Realty L.P. or related persons and affiliates of such transferees or assignees, to which no ownership limit applies. Generally, common shares owned by affiliated owners will be aggregated for
purposes of the ownership limitation. The definition of "person" in our declaration of trust is broader than the definition of "individual" that applies under the Code for purposes of the REIT
qualification requirement that no more than 50% of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals. As a result, our declaration of trust
will prohibit share ownership in some circumstances where the ownership would not cause a violation of the REIT ownership requirement. Any transfer of our common shares that would violate the
ownership limitation under our declaration of trust will be null and void, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares, or such common shares will be designated as
"shares-in-trust" and transferred automatically to a trust effective at the close of business on the day before the purported transfer of such shares. The beneficiary of a
trust will be one or more charitable organizations named by us. The ownership limitation could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control or other transaction in which
holders of common shares might receive a premium for their common shares over the then current market price or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests. The ownership
limitation provisions also may make our common shares an unsuitable investment vehicle for any person seeking to obtain, either alone or with others as a group, ownership
47
of
more than 7.1% in value of our outstanding shares or more than 7.1% in number or value, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common shares.
Our executive officers and certain of our trustees may experience conflicts of interest in connection with their ownership interests in our operating
partnership.
Certain
of our executive officers and trustees, including Gary M. Holloway, Sr., may experience conflicts of interest relating to their ownership interests in our operating partnership.
With regard to ownership interests in our operating partnership, as of February 29, 2008, Mr. Holloway beneficially owned approximately a 24.0% limited partnership interest in our
operating partnership and our other executive officers, including Bruce F. Robinson, who is also one of our trustees, collectively owned approximately 1.9% of the limited partnership interests in our
operating partnership. Michael D. Fascitelli, also one of our trustees, is the president and a member of the Board of Trustees of Vornado Realty Trust, which, indirectly through its operating
partnership and an affiliated entity, owned an aggregate of 7,337,857 units, or approximately 10.3% of partnership interests in our operating
partnership. Vornado's total ownership includes 2,517,247 of our common shares, or approximately 6.0% of GMH Communities Trust. Conflicts may arise as a result of these persons' ownership interests
in, or their affiliates' interests in, our operating partnership to the extent that their interests as limited partners diverge from our interests, particularly with regard to transactions, such as
sales of assets or the repayment of indebtedness, that could be in our best interests and those of our shareholders but may have adverse tax consequences to the limited partners in our operating
partnership.
Gary M. Holloway, Sr. may have conflicts of interest as a result of his ownership of an entity that provides services to us and leases space from us.
Mr. Holloway
owns a 100% equity interest in GMH Capital Partners, LP, an entity that provides property management and real estate brokerage services for office, retail,
industrial, multi-family and corporate properties as well as general contracting and construction management services and acquisition, disposition and development services. GMH Capital
Partners, LP is not contractually prohibited from competing with us. In addition, GMH Capital Partners, LP leases space in our corporate headquarters, which we acquired in connection
with our initial public offering. As a result of the ongoing ownership interests that Mr. Holloway owns in GMH Capital Partners, LP, there may be conflicts of interest with regard to the
terms that we enter into pursuant to our lease to GMH Capital Partners, LP. In addition, we may engage GMH Capital Partners, LP to provide certain real estate brokerage services for us
in the future.
Because Gary M. Holloway, Sr. owns a significant number of units in our limited partnership, he may be able to exert substantial influence on our management and operations,
which may prevent us from taking actions that may be favorable to our shareholders.
As
of February 29, 2008, Mr. Holloway beneficially owned approximately 24.0% of the outstanding units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership. If the
maximum number of units redeemable for our common shares by Mr. Holloway were actually redeemed, Mr. Holloway would beneficially own approximately 20.0% of our outstanding common shares.
Although the terms of our declaration of trust limit Mr. Holloway's ability to redeem his limited partnership interests to up to 20.0% of our outstanding common shares, such an ownership
concentration of our shares may adversely affect the trading price of our common shares if investors perceive disadvantages to owning shares in companies with controlling shareholders. If we were to
redeem the maximum number of Mr. Holloway's units for common shares and Mr. Holloway were to retain those shares, he would have the ability to exert significant influence over all
matters requiring approval of our shareholders, including the election and removal of trustees and any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of our assets. In addition, he could
influence significantly the management of our
48
business
and affairs. This concentration also could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business
combination that could be favorable to you. Further, Mr. Holloway's concentration of ownership in our operating partnership affords him the ability to exert substantial influence over matters,
such as a merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of our operating partnership, all of which, under certain circumstances, require the consent of limited partners owning more
than 50% of the partnership interest of the limited partners (other than those held by us or our subsidiaries).
One of our trustees may have a conflict of interest as a result of his affiliation with Vornado Realty Trust, one of our largest shareholders on a fully-diluted
basis.
Mr. Fascitelli,
one of our trustees, is the president and a member of the Board of Trustees of Vornado Realty Trust. As described elsewhere in this report, our operating
partnership was initially formed in July 2004 through a joint venture between entities owned by Mr. Holloway and Vornado Realty L.P., the operating partnership of Vornado Realty Trust.
In connection with our formation transaction, we issued a warrant to Vornado Realty L.P., under which Vornado has purchased 6,666,667 units of limited partnership in our operating partnership.
On May 2, 2006, the expiration date under the warrant, Vornado received an additional 1,817,247 of our common shares through a net, or cashless, exercise feature of the warrant. Vornado also
purchased 700,000 shares in our 2005 follow-on offering of common shares. Vornado CCA Gainesville, LLC, an affiliate of Vornado Realty L.P., also owns 671,190 units of
limited partnership interest in our operating partnership, which were issued in connection with the contribution of an interest in a student housing property to our operating partnership at the time
of our initial public offering. In addition, we are required to register for resale the common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant and the other units currently held by Vornado CCA
Gainesville, LLC. Under the terms of the warrant, Vornado has the right to designate for election to our Board of Trustees Mr. Fascitelli or such other officer of Vornado who is
reasonably acceptable to us, so long as it holds common shares or units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership acquired under the warrant at an aggregate price of not less than
$10.0 million. Vornado exercised this right in August 2005, and Mr. Fascitelli was elected to serve on our Board of Trustees on August 10, 2005. As of result of the foregoing,
Mr. Fascitelli could experience conflicts of interest between his duties to us and our shareholders and his duties to Vornado and its shareholders.
Some of our executive officers and trustees have other business interests that may hinder their ability to allocate sufficient time to the management of our operations, and
could jeopardize our ability to execute our business plan.
Some
of our executive officers and trustees have other business interests that may hinder their ability to spend adequate time on our business. Mr. Holloway retains 100% of the
interests in GMH Capital Partners, LP, an entity that we did not acquire in our formation transactions, and several other entities relating to GMH Associates. GMH Capital Partners, LP
provides various property management services and real estate brokerage services for office, retail, industrial, multi-family and corporate properties as well as construction management services and
acquisition, disposition and development services. Mr. Holloway's employment agreement permits him to continue to provide management and other services to this entity, and the provision of such
services may reduce the time Mr. Holloway is able to devote to our business.
Maryland law may discourage a third party from acquiring us.
Maryland
law provides broad discretion to our Board of Trustees with respect to its duties in considering a change in control of our company, including that our Board of Trustees is
subject to no greater level of scrutiny in considering a change in control transaction than with respect to any other act by our Board.
49
The
Maryland Business Combination Act restricts mergers and other business combinations between our company and an interested shareholder. An "interested shareholder" is defined as any
person who is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our common shares and also includes any of our affiliates or associates that, at any time within the two year period prior to
the date of a proposed merger or other business combination, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of our voting power. A person is not an interested shareholder if, prior to the most recent time at
which the person would otherwise have become an interested shareholder, our Board of Trustees approved the transaction which otherwise would have resulted in the person becoming an interested
shareholder. For a period of five years after the most recent acquisition of shares by an interested shareholder, we may not engage in any merger or other business combination with that interested
shareholder or any affiliate of that interested shareholder. After the five year period, any merger or other business combination must be approved by our Board of Trustees and by at least 80% of all
the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares and two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares other than the interested
shareholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder unless, among other things, the shareholders (other than the interested shareholder) receive a minimum price for their common
shares and the consideration received by those shareholders is in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its common shares. Our Board of Trustees has adopted a
resolution, reflected in our bylaws, providing that we have opted out of the Maryland Business Combination Act. However, our
Board of Trustees may opt at any time, without the approval of our shareholders, to make the statute applicable to us again. To the extent it applies, the business combination statute could have the
effect of discouraging offers from third parties to acquire us and increasing the difficulty of successfully completing this type of offer.
Additionally,
the "control shares" provisions of the MGCL are applicable to us as if we were a corporation. These provisions eliminate the voting rights of shares acquired in quantities
so as to constitute "control shares," as defined under the MGCL. Our bylaws provide that we are not bound by the control share acquisition statute; however, our Board of Trustees may opt to make the
statute applicable to us at any time, and may do so on a retroactive basis.
We depend on the business relationships and experience of Gary M. Holloway, Sr. and our other executive officers, the loss of whom could threaten our ability to execute our
strategies.
We
depend on the services of Gary M. Holloway, Sr., our president, chief executive officer and chairman of our Board of Trustees, to carry out our business strategies. If
Mr. Holloway were to leave the Company, it may be more difficult to locate attractive acquisition targets and manage the properties that we acquire. Additionally, as we expand, we will continue
to need to attract and retain qualified additional senior executive officers. The loss of the services of any of our senior executive officers, or our inability to recruit and retain qualified
personnel in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Certain of our executive officers have agreements that provide them with benefits in the event their employment is terminated by us without cause, by the executive for good
reason, or under certain circumstances following a change of control of our company.
We
have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers, including Gary M. Holloway, Sr., Bruce F. Robinson, John DeRiggi, Joseph M. Macchione and J. Patrick
O'Grady that provide them with severance benefits if their employment is terminated by us without cause, by them for good reason (which includes, among other reasons, failure to be elected to the
Board of Trustees with respect to Mr. Holloway's agreement, and any election by us not to renew our agreements with them), or under certain circumstances following a change of control of our
company. Certain of these benefits, including the related tax indemnity with respect to the employment agreements for
50
Mr. Holloway
and Mr. Robinson, could prevent or deter a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of
our shareholders.
Our Board of Trustees may alter our investment policies at any time without shareholder approval, and the alteration of these policies may adversely affect our financial
performance.
Our
major policies, including our policies and practices with respect to investments, financing, growth, debt, capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions, are determined by our
Board of Trustees. Our Board of Trustees may amend or revise these and other policies from time to time without a vote of our shareholders. Accordingly, our shareholders will have limited control over
changes in our policies.
We
have set a targeted range for the amount of indebtedness that we incur from time to time. This target ratio may be amended or waived at any time without shareholder approval and
without notice to our shareholders. In addition, our declaration of trust and bylaws do not limit the amount of indebtedness that we or our operating partnership may incur. If we become highly
leveraged, then the resulting increase in debt service could adversely affect our ability to make payments on our outstanding indebtedness and harm our financial condition.
Through a wholly-owned subsidiary, we are the sole general partner of our operating partnership, and, should the subsidiary be disregarded, we could become liable for the debts
and other obligations of our operating partnership beyond the amount of our investment.
We
are the sole general partner of our operating partnership, GMH Communities, LP, through our wholly owned subsidiary, GMH Communities GP Trust, a Delaware statutory
trust, and we also owned units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership equal to approximately 57.6% of the total partnership interests in our operating partnership as of
February 29, 2008. If GMH Communities GP Trust were disregarded as the general partner, we would be liable for our operating partnership's debts and other obligations. In such event, if
our operating partnership is unable to pay its debts and other obligations, we will be liable for such debts and other obligations beyond the amount of our investment in our operating partnership.
These obligations could include unforeseen contingent liabilities.
Risks Relating to Real Estate Investments
Illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our targeted properties and harm our financial
condition.
Real
estate investments are relatively illiquid. Our ability to quickly sell or exchange any of our student housing properties or military housing privatization projects in response to
changes in economic and
other conditions will be limited. No assurances can be given that we will recognize full value for any property that we are required to sell for liquidity reasons. Our inability to respond rapidly to
changes in the performance of our investments could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our acquisition properties may not achieve forecasted results or we may be limited in our ability to finance future acquisitions, which may harm our financial condition and
operating results, and we may not be able to make the distributions required to maintain our REIT status.
Acquisitions
and developments entail risks that the properties will fail to perform in accordance with expectations and that estimates of the costs of improvements necessary to acquire,
develop and manage properties will prove inaccurate, as well as general investment risks associated with any new real estate investment. Because we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable
income,
51
determined
without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and by excluding any net capital gain, each year to maintain our qualification as a REIT, our ability to rely upon income from
operations or cash flow from operations to finance our growth and acquisition activities is limited. As a result, acquisitions and developments are largely financed through externally-generated funds
such as borrowings under credit facilities and other secured and unsecured debt financing and from issuances of equity securities. As a result of the recent volatility in the U.S. markets resulting
from concerns over sub-prime mortgage loans, access to mortgage debt may be more difficult to obtain and we may not unable to obtain such debt on terms that are as favorable to us.
Accordingly, in the event that the Military Housing Transaction and/or the Merger are not consummated and we continue our operations, and we are unable to obtain funds from borrowings or the capital
markets to finance our acquisition and development activities, our ability to grow would likely be curtailed, amounts available for distribution to shareholders could be adversely affected and we
could be required to reduce distributions, thereby jeopardizing our ability to maintain our status as a REIT.
Newly-developed
or newly-renovated properties do not have the operating history that would allow our management to make objective pricing decisions in acquiring these properties. The
purchase prices of these properties is based in part upon projections by management as to the expected operating results of such properties, subjecting us to risks that these properties may not
achieve anticipated operating results or may not achieve these results within anticipated time frames. In addition, we have witnessed a compression of capitalization rates for the student housing
properties that we are targeting under our investment criteria. During 2007, capitalization rates declined, and may continue to decline in the future. To the extent that the Military Housing
Transaction and/or the Merger is not completed and we continue our operations, we therefore may be unable to purchase student housing properties at attractive capitalization rates.
If we suffer losses that are not covered by insurance or that are in excess of our insurance coverage limits, we could lose investment capital and anticipated
profits.
We
have general liability insurance that provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties resulting from our ownership of the properties that are leased to, and
occupied by, our residents. However, there are certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wars and acts of terrorism that may be uninsurable
or not insurable at a price we can afford. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors also might make it impracticable to use insurance
proceeds to replace a property after it has been damaged or destroyed. Under these circumstances, the insurance proceeds we receive might not be adequate to restore our economic position with respect
to the affected property. If any of these or similar events occur, it may reduce our return from the property and the value of our investment.
Capital expenditures for property renovations may be greater than forecasted and may adversely impact rental payments by our residents and our ability to make distributions to
shareholders.
Properties,
particularly those that consist of older structures, have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements, including periodic replacement of furniture,
fixtures and equipment. Renovation of properties involves certain risks, including the possibility of environmental problems, construction cost overruns and delays, uncertainties as to market demand
or deterioration in market demand after commencement of renovation and the emergence of unanticipated competition from other properties. All of these factors could adversely impact rental payments by
our residents, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, and adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
52
All of our student housing properties are subject to property taxes, and some of our military housing properties may be subject to property taxes. If these taxes were to be
significantly increased by applicable authorities in the future, our operating results and ability to make distributions to our shareholders would be adversely affected.
Our
student housing properties are subject to real and personal property taxes, and some of our military housing properties may be subject to real and personal property taxes, that may
increase as property tax rates change and as the properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. As the owner of the student housing properties and a member of or partner in the joint
venture entity that owns the military housing privatization projects that cover military housing properties, we will be responsible, in whole or in part, for payment of the taxes to the government.
Increases in property tax rates may adversely affect our operating results and our ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders.
Our performance and the value of our common shares will be affected by risks associated with the real estate industry.
Our
ability to make expected dividend payments to our shareholders and the value of our common shares depend largely on our ability to generate cash revenues in excess of expenses, debt
obligations and capital expenditure requirements. Factors that may adversely affect our ability to generate cash revenues include:
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-
changes
in the national, regional and local economic climate;
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-
rising
interest rates;
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-
local
conditions such as an oversupply of, or a reduction in demand for, student and military housing;
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-
increased
operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities and real estate taxes;
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attractiveness
of our properties to residents;
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costs
of complying with changes in governmental regulations; and
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-
competition
from other real estate developers of student housing and companies pursuing the award of future military housing privatization projects.
In
addition, periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could
result in a general decline in rents or an increased incidence of defaults under existing leases, which would adversely affect us.
As the owner and lessor of real estate, we are subject to risks under environmental laws, the cost of compliance with which, and any violation of which, could materially
adversely affect us.
Our
operating expenses could be higher than anticipated due to the cost of complying with existing and future environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations.
Various environmental laws may impose liability on a current or prior owner or operator of real property for removal or redemption of hazardous or toxic substances. Current or prior owners or
operators may also be liable for government fines and damages for injuries to persons, natural resources and adjacent property. These environmental laws often impose liability whether or not the owner
or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or disposal of the hazardous or toxic substances. The cost of complying with environmental laws could materially adversely affect amounts
available for distribution to our shareholders and could exceed the value of all of our properties. In addition, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances, or the failure of our residents to
properly dispose of or remediate such substances, may adversely affect our residents or our ability to use, sell or rent such property or to
53
borrow
using such property as collateral which, in turn, could reduce our revenue and our financing ability. We intend to obtain Phase I environmental assessments on any properties we acquire,
manage or develop. However, even if the Phase I environmental reports do not reveal any material environmental contamination, it is possible that material environmental liabilities may exist of
which we are unaware.
Although
the leases for our student housing properties generally will require our student residents to comply with laws and regulations governing their operations, and to indemnify us
for certain environmental liabilities that they create, the scope of their obligations may be limited. We cannot assure you that our student residents or their guarantors will be able to fulfill their
indemnification obligations. In addition, environmental and occupational health and safety laws are constantly evolving, and changes in laws, regulations or policies, or changes in interpretations of
the foregoing, could create liabilities where none exists today.
With
regard to our military housing properties, the federal government will not indemnify us for any environmental liability on these properties. As a result, we may be exposed to
substantial liability to remove or remediate hazardous or toxic substances, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.
Future terrorist attacks in the U.S. could harm the demand for and the value of our properties.
Future
terrorist attacks in the U.S., such as the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, and other acts of terrorism or war, or threats of the same, could diminish the
demand for and the value of our properties. The military bases at which we have privatization projects may be terrorist targets. Also, certain of our properties are near universities which contain
well-known landmarks and may be perceived as more likely terrorist targets than similar, less recognizable properties. A decrease
in demand in our markets would make it difficult for us to renew or re-lease our properties at lease rates equal to or above historical rates.
Terrorist
attacks also could directly impact the value of our properties through damage, destruction, loss, or increased security costs, and the availability of insurance for such acts
may be limited or may cost more. If we receive casualty proceeds, we may not be able to reinvest such proceeds profitably or at all, and we may be forced to recognize taxable gain on the affected
property.
We may incur significant costs complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws.
Under
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or ADA, all public accommodations must meet federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Additional federal,
state and local laws also may require modifications to our properties, or restrict our ability to renovate our properties. For example, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, or FHAA, requires
apartment properties first occupied after March 13, 1990, to be accessible to the handicapped. We have not conducted an audit or investigation of all of our properties to determine our
compliance. Noncompliance with the ADA or FHAA could result in the imposition of fines or an award or damages to private litigants and also could result in an order to correct any
non-complying feature. We cannot predict the ultimate amount of the cost of compliance with the ADA, FHAA or any other legislation. If we incur substantial costs to comply with the ADA,
FHAA or any other legislation, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We may incur significant costs complying with other regulations.
The
properties in our portfolio are subject to various other federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and life safety requirements. If we fail to
comply with these various requirements, we might incur governmental fines or private damage awards. If we are not in compliance with existing requirements, or if existing requirements change, we may
have to make significant unanticipated expenditures that would materially and adversely affect us.
54
Risks Relating to Our Common Shares
The market price and trading volume of our common shares may be volatile in the future.
The
market price of our common shares may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in the future. The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that
have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies' operating performances. These broad market fluctuations could
reduce the market price of our common shares. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors or may be lower than those of
companies with comparable market capitalizations, which could lead to a material decline in the market price of our common shares. In addition, the trading volume in our common shares may fluctuate
and cause significant price variations to occur.
If
the market price of our common shares declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the price per share in this offering. We cannot assure you that the
market price of our common shares will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or
trading volume of our common shares include:
-
-
the
likelihood that an active market for our common shares will continue;
-
-
actual
or anticipated variations in our operating results;
-
-
changes
in our funds from operations or earnings estimates;
-
-
publication
of research reports about us or the real estate industry;
-
-
increases
in market interest rates may lead purchasers of our common shares to demand a higher dividend rate which, if our distributions do not rise, may mean our share
price will fall;
-
-
changes
in market valuations of similar companies;
-
-
adverse
market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;
-
-
additions
or departures of key management personnel;
-
-
actions
by institutional shareholders;
-
-
speculation
in the press or investment community;
-
-
general
market and economic conditions; and
-
-
future
offerings of debt securities or preferred shares, which would be senior to our common shares upon liquidation, and additional offerings of equity securities, which
would dilute our existing shareholders and may be senior to our common shares for the purposes of dividend distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
In
the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making offerings of debt or additional offerings of equity securities, including commercial paper,
medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and series of preferred shares or common shares. Upon our liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred shares and lenders with
respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common shares. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing
shareholders or reduce the market price of our common shares, or both. Our preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments that
could limit our ability to make a dividend distribution to the holders of our common shares. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other
factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common shares
55
bear
the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting their share holdings in us.
Common shares eligible for future sale may have adverse effects on our share price.
We
cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of common shares, or the availability of shares for future sales, on the market price of our common shares. Sales of substantial
amounts of common shares, or the perception that these sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common shares. Under the terms of our operating partnership agreement,
the common shares eligible for issuance upon redemption of units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership, including units that we may issue to third parties in the future, are
required to be registered within nine months following the date of initial issuance of such units. In addition, we filed a registration statement with respect to the 2,000,000 common shares authorized
for issuance under our Equity Incentive Plan in connection with the grant of restricted common share awards, option grants or other equity-based awards authorized by the Compensation Committee of our
Board of Trustees. We also may issue from time to time additional common shares or units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership in connection with the acquisition of properties
and we may grant additional demand or piggyback registration rights in connection with these issuances. Sales of substantial amounts of common shares or the perception that these sales could occur may
adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common shares. In addition, the sale of these shares could impair our ability to raise capital through a sale of additional equity securities.
The market value of our common shares could decrease based on our performance and market perception and conditions.
The
market value of our common shares may be based primarily upon the market's perception of our growth potential and current and future cash dividends, and may be secondarily based upon
the market value of our underlying assets. We expect the market price of our common shares to be influenced by the dividend on our common shares relative to market interest rates. Rising interest
rates may lead
potential buyers of our common shares to expect a higher dividend rate, which would adversely affect the market price of our common shares. In addition, rising interest rates would result in increased
interest expense on our variable rate debt and adversely affect cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and make distributions to our shareholders.
Tax Risks Associated with Our Status as a REIT
In the event that we complete the Military Housing Transaction and not the Merger, we may be unable to comply with the REIT gross income requirements, which could subject us to
additional taxes on our gross income and reduce our cash available for distributions to shareholders.
In
general, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. Under this 75% gross
income test, a portion of the proceeds that we will receive in connection with the Military Housing Transaction that relate to the sale of the interests in our TRS, will not constitute qualifying
income. In the event that we fail to meet this 75% gross income test due to willful neglect and in the absence of reasonable cause, then we could lose our REIT qualification, which would, among other
things, cause all of our earnings to be subject to federal income tax and would reduce our cash available for distributions to shareholders and all of our income Alternatively, in the event that our
failure to meet the 75% gross income test is not due to willful neglect and is based on reasonable cause, then we would maintain our REIT qualification, but the excess of our gross income that does
not meet the 75% test would be subject to an additional tax under the Code and reduce our cash available for distributions to shareholders.
56
If we fail to qualify for or lose our tax status as a REIT, we would be subject to significant adverse consequences and the value of our common shares may
decline.
We
intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes under the Code. We elected to be taxed as a REIT upon the
filing of our tax return for the taxable year ended December 31, 2004. Our qualification as a REIT depends, and will continue to depend, on our ability to meet various requirements concerning,
among other things, the ownership of our outstanding common shares, the nature of our assets, the sources of our income and the amount of our distributions to our shareholders. The REIT qualification
requirements are extremely complex, and the interpretations of the federal income tax laws governing qualification as a
REIT are limited. Accordingly, there is no assurance that we will be successful in operating so as to qualify as a REIT. At any time, new laws, regulations, interpretations or court decisions may
change the federal tax laws relating to, or the federal income tax consequences of, qualification as a REIT. It is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause
our Board of Trustees to revoke the REIT election, which it may do without shareholder approval.
If
we revoke, lose or fail to achieve our REIT status, we will face serious tax consequences that will substantially reduce the funds available for distribution because:
-
-
we
would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to shareholders in computing our taxable income;
-
-
we
would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates, and we might need to borrow money or sell assets in order to pay any such tax;
-
-
we
also could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and possibly increased state and local taxes; and
-
-
unless
we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which
we ceased to qualify.
In
addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will not be required to pay dividends to shareholders, and all dividends to shareholders will be subject to tax to the extent of our
current and accumulated earnings and profits. As a result of all of these factors, a failure to achieve, or a loss or revocation of our REIT status could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations and would adversely affect the value of our common shares.
In
addition, in circumstances where we fail to qualify as a REIT, it is likely that we will also have failed to comply with the restrictions on our activities and those of the operating
partnership that we agreed to with Vornado Realty L.P., in which case we would also be liable for any damages incurred by Vornado Realty L.P., certain of its affiliates and its
transferees and assignees, together with certain of their affiliates, as a result of such failure.
To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to borrow funds on a short-term basis during unfavorable market conditions.
In
order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required under the Code to distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the
dividends-paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain. In addition, we will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our
net taxable income, including any net capital gains. Because of these distribution requirements, we may not be able to fund future capital needs, including any necessary acquisition financing, from
operating cash flow. Consequently, we will be compelled to rely on third party sources to fund our capital needs. We may not be able to obtain this
57
financing
on favorable terms or at all. Any additional indebtedness that we incur will increase our leverage. Our access to third party sources of capital depends, in part, on:
-
-
general
market conditions;
-
-
our
current debt levels and the number of properties subject to encumbrances;
-
-
our
current performance and the market's perception of our growth potential;
-
-
our
cash flow and cash dividends; and
-
-
the
price of our common shares.
If
we cannot obtain capital from third party sources, we may not be able to acquire or develop properties when strategic opportunities exist, satisfy our debt service obligations or make
the cash dividends to our shareholders necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
Failure to make required distributions would subject us to tax.
In
order to qualify as a REIT, each year we must distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends-paid
deduction and by excluding any net capital gain. To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to federal
corporate income tax on our undistributed income. In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any year are less than the sum of:
-
-
85%
of our ordinary income for that year;
-
-
95%
of our capital gain net income for that year; and
-
-
100%
of our undistributed taxable income from prior years.
We
intend to pay out our income to our shareholders in a manner that satisfies the distribution requirement and avoids corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax. We may be
required to make distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Differences in timing between the recognition of income and the
related cash receipts or the effect of required debt amortization payments could require us to borrow money or sell assets to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the distribution
requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in a particular year. In the future, we may borrow to pay distributions to our shareholders and the limited partners
of our operating partnership. Any funds that we borrow would subject us to interest rate and other market risks.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities.
To
qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our
assets, the amounts we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our shares. As a result, we may be required to forgo attractive business or investment opportunities in order to meet these
tests. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market price of our common shares.
At
any time, the federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Any of those new laws or
interpretations
58
may
take effect retroactively and could adversely affect us or you as a shareholder. Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation
Act of 2003, which we refer to as the Jobs and Growth Tax Act, generally reduced the maximum rate of tax applicable to most domestic noncorporate taxpayers on dividend income from regular C
corporations to 15%. This reduces substantially the so-called "double taxation" (that is, taxation at both the corporate and shareholder levels) that has generally applied to corporations
that are not taxed as REITs. Generally, dividends from REITs will not qualify for the dividend tax reduction because, as a result of the dividends paid deduction to which REITs are entitled, REITs
generally do not pay corporate level tax on income that they distribute to shareholders. The implementation of the Jobs and Growth Tax Act may cause domestic noncorporate investors to view stocks of
non-REIT corporations as more attractive relative to shares of REITs than was the case previously. We cannot predict what impact this legislation may have on the value of our common
shares. The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 extended the 2003 Act's sunset date from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2010.
The income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to federal income tax.
We
own active taxable REIT subsidiaries that earn income that, if earned by us outside of a taxable REIT subsidiary, would jeopardize our status as a REIT. For example, our taxable REIT
subsidiaries earn fees from developing, constructing, renovating and managing military housing properties and providing management services to certain third-party owners of student housing, as well as
fees for providing certain noncustomary services for our student housing properties, that would not be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income tests. A taxable REIT subsidiary is taxed as a
regular C-corporation. The income from the activities described above and other income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiaries is therefore subject to a corporate level tax,
notwithstanding that we qualify as a REIT.
We may not conduct all of our third-party student housing management business through a taxable REIT subsidiary, which could jeopardize our ability to comply with one of the
REIT gross income requirements.
In
general, at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, other types of
interest and
dividends, gain from the sale or disposition of shares or securities, or any combination of these. Fees that we earn from providing property management services to third-party owners of student
housing properties do not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% REIT gross income test. We conduct all (or as nearly all as possible) of our third-party student housing property
management business through a taxable REIT subsidiary. The fees we earn from that business other than through a taxable REIT subsidiary, together with all other income that does not constitute
qualifying income under the 95% gross income test, cannot exceed 5% of our total gross income. If we fail to manage our business in a manner that allows us to satisfy the 95% REIT gross income test,
the portion of income associated with the amount in excess of this 95% threshold would be taxed at 100%, and we could lose our REIT qualification which would, among other things, cause all of our
earnings to be subject to federal income tax and would reduce our cash available for distributions to shareholders.
To maintain our REIT status, we will be required to comply with a number of requirements relating to the relative values of our assets, and we may be required to limit
activities conducted through a taxable REIT subsidiary.
As
a REIT we will be required to satisfy, as of the close of each quarter of each of our taxable years, a number of requirements relating to the relative values of our assets, including
requirements that not more than 25% of the value of our total assets be represented by assets other than real estate
59
assets,
cash and cash items and government securities and that not more than 20% of the value of our total assets be represented by securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries. We intend to monitor our
compliance with the various asset test requirements. As a number of these requirements are based on value, however, it is possible that the IRS could successfully argue for a value of our
nonqualifying assets that was such that we would fail to satisfy a REIT asset requirement. In such circumstances, we could fail to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year of such failure and the
following four taxable years.
To
maintain our status as a REIT, no more than 20% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, such as GMH Military
Housing, LLC and College Park Management TRS, Inc. Certain of our activities, such as development, construction, renovation, and management services, must be conducted through a taxable
REIT subsidiary in order for us to maintain our REIT status. In addition, certain non-customary services generally must be provided by a taxable REIT subsidiary or an independent
contractor from which we do not derive any income. If the revenues from such activities create a risk that the value of our interest in our taxable REIT subsidiaries, based on revenues or otherwise,
approach the 20% threshold, we will be forced, in order to maintain our REIT status, to curtail such activities or take other steps to remain under the 20% threshold. Since our formation transactions,
the development, construction, renovation, and management services provided to our military housing privatization projects and the management services provided to certain third-party owners of student
housing have been conducted through taxable REIT subsidiaries. Consequently, income earned by these taxable REIT subsidiaries is subject to corporate income tax.
We may be subject to tax if our taxable REIT subsidiaries provide services to our tenants other than on an arm's-length basis.
If
our taxable REIT subsidiaries provide services to our tenants for other than an arm's-length charge (payable from the tenants or from us), we would be subject to a 100% tax on the
difference between the amount in fact derived by the taxable REIT subsidiary and the arm's-length charge. In addition, if our taxable REIT subsidiaries pay more than an arm's length charge to our
operating partnership, GMH Communities Trust or any of their affiliates for services or overhead provided to the taxable REIT subsidiaries, we would be subject to a 100% tax on the difference between
the amount in fact paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary and the arm's-length charge.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
60
Item 2. Properties.
Properties we own.
The 72 student housing properties that we owned or had ownership interests in as of December 31,
2007 consisted of 13,232 units containing 42,670 beds that were located near 42 colleges and universities in 25 states, and had an average occupancy rate of 87.6%. The
following table presents information regarding the 72 student housing properties, and seven undeveloped or partially developed parcels of land that we owned or had ownership interests in as of
December 31, 2007 and occupancy rates at, and revenues from, these properties for the year ended December 31, 2007:
Property Name
|
|
Year
Built/Renovated
|
|
Primary University Served
|
|
Occupancy
Rate(1)
|
|
Number of
Units(1)
|
|
Number of
Beds(1)
|
|
Revenues(2)
(in thousands)
|
Abbott Place
|
|
1999
|
|
Michigan State University
|
|
87.8
|
%
|
222
|
|
654
|
|
$
|
3,175
|
Aztec Corner
|
|
1997/2001/2005
|
|
San Diego University
|
|
100.0
|
|
179
|
|
602
|
|
|
4,208
|
Blanton Commons
|
|
2005
|
|
Valdosta State University
|
|
96.1
|
|
204
|
|
596
|
|
|
3,294
|
Blanton Commons II(2)
|
|
2006
|
|
Valdosta State University
|
|
89.8
|
|
72
|
|
264
|
|
|
567
|
Brookstone Village
|
|
1994
|
|
University of North CarolinaWilmington
|
|
91.6
|
|
124
|
|
238
|
|
|
1,122
|
Burbank Commons
|
|
1999
|
|
Louisiana State University
|
|
97.9
|
|
134
|
|
532
|
|
|
2,464
|
Cambridge at Southern
|
|
2006
|
|
Georgia Southern University
|
|
91.8
|
|
228
|
|
564
|
|
|
3,241
|
Campus ClubStatesboro
|
|
2003
|
|
Georgia Southern University
|
|
81.7
|
|
276
|
|
984
|
|
|
4,379
|
Campus Connection(3)
|
|
1998
|
|
University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign
|
|
64.7
|
|
270
|
|
864
|
|
|
3,418
|
Campus ConnectionPhase II(3)
|
|
N/A
|
|
University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
Campus Corner
|
|
1994
|
|
Indiana University
|
|
70.4
|
|
252
|
|
796
|
|
|
3,338
|
Campus Ridge Apartments(4)
|
|
2000
|
|
East Tennessee State University
|
|
93.0
|
|
132
|
|
528
|
|
|
2,133
|
Campus Ridge ApartmentsPhase II(4)
|
|
N/A
|
|
East Tennessee State University
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
Campus Trails
|
|
1997
|
|
Mississippi State University
|
|
85.8
|
|
156
|
|
480
|
|
|
1,698
|
Campus Walk
|
|
2001
|
|
University of Mississippi
|
|
90.5
|
|
108
|
|
432
|
|
|
1,997
|
Campus WalkUNCW
|
|
1990
|
|
University of North CarolinaWilmington
|
|
95.5
|
|
289
|
|
290
|
|
|
1,767
|
Campus Way
|
|
1998
|
|
University of Alabama
|
|
95.7
|
|
192
|
|
676
|
|
|
3,115
|
Chapel Ridge
|
|
2003
|
|
University of North CarolinaChapel Hill
|
|
93.9
|
|
180
|
|
544
|
|
|
3,271
|
Chapel View
|
|
1986
|
|
University of North CarolinaChapel Hill
|
|
98.9
|
|
224
|
|
358
|
|
|
2,366
|
Collegiate Hall
|
|
2001
|
|
University of AlabamaBirmingham
|
|
72.0
|
|
176
|
|
528
|
|
|
2,060
|
Fields
|
|
1999
|
|
University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign
|
|
50.3
|
|
192
|
|
588
|
|
|
2,343
|
GrandMarc at Seven Corners
|
|
2000
|
|
University of Minnesota
|
|
99.8
|
|
186
|
|
440
|
|
|
4,267
|
GrandMarc at University Village
|
|
2001
|
|
University of CaliforniaRiverside
|
|
80.8
|
|
212
|
|
760
|
|
|
4,595
|
Hawk's Landing
|
|
1996
|
|
Miami University of Ohio
|
|
72.9
|
|
122
|
|
484
|
|
|
2,278
|
Huntsville Land(5)
|
|
N/A
|
|
Sam Houston State University
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
Jacob Heights
|
|
2004
|
|
Minnesota State UniversityMankato
|
|
93.2
|
|
42
|
|
162
|
|
|
8,268
|
Jacob Heights III
|
|
2006
|
|
Minnesota State UniversityMankato
|
|
99.0
|
|
24
|
|
96
|
|
|
4,786
|
Lakeside
|
|
1991
|
|
University of Georgia
|
|
82.6
|
|
242
|
|
772
|
|
|
2,996
|
Lincoln View
|
|
1994/1999
|
|
University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign
|
|
69.0
|
|
254
|
|
732
|
|
|
2,944
|
Lion's Crossing
|
|
1996
|
|
Pennsylvania State University
|
|
99.6
|
|
204
|
|
696
|
|
|
3,643
|
Nittany Crossing
|
|
1996
|
|
Pennsylvania State University
|
|
100.0
|
|
204
|
|
684
|
|
|
3,499
|
Orchard Trails(6)
|
|
2006
|
|
University of MaineOrono
|
|
74.8
|
|
144
|
|
576
|
|
|
2,685
|
Pegasus Connection
|
|
2000
|
|
University of Central Florida
|
|
88.5
|
|
312
|
|
930
|
|
|
6,152
|
Pirate's Cove
|
|
2000
|
|
East Carolina University
|
|
72.5
|
|
264
|
|
1,056
|
|
|
3,646
|
Riverside Estates
|
|
1995
|
|
University of South Carolina
|
|
96.3
|
|
206
|
|
700
|
|
|
3,157
|
South View Apartments
|
|
1996-1998
|
|
James Madison University
|
|
99.9
|
|
240
|
|
960
|
|
|
4,953
|
Stadium Suites
|
|
2004
|
|
University of South Carolina
|
|
94.2
|
|
264
|
|
924
|
|
|
5,432
|
State College Park
|
|
1991
|
|
Pennsylvania State University
|
|
99.6
|
|
196
|
|
752
|
|
|
3,773
|
Stone Gate Apartments
|
|
1999-2000
|
|
James Madison University
|
|
99.9
|
|
168
|
|
672
|
|
|
3,488
|
The Centre
|
|
2004
|
|
Western Michigan University
|
|
84.3
|
|
232
|
|
700
|
|
|
3,045
|
The Club
|
|
1989/2001
|
|
University of Georgia
|
|
86.0
|
|
120
|
|
480
|
|
|
1,710
|
The Commons
|
|
1991
|
|
James Madison University
|
|
98.5
|
|
132
|
|
528
|
|
|
2,443
|
The Commons on Oak Tree
|
|
1995
|
|
University of Oklahoma
|
|
76.8
|
|
254
|
|
780
|
|
|
2,500
|
The Courtyards
|
|
1993
|
|
University of Kentucky
|
|
65.0
|
|
182
|
|
676
|
|
|
2,539
|
The Edge I(7)
|
|
1998
|
|
University of North CarolinaCharlotte
|
|
91.7
|
|
96
|
|
384
|
|
|
1,328
|
The Edge II(7)
|
|
1999
|
|
University of North CarolinaCharlotte
|
|
83.9
|
|
84
|
|
336
|
|
|
7,094
|
The Enclave
|
|
2002
|
|
Bowling Green State University
|
|
93.3
|
|
120
|
|
480
|
|
|
1,611
|
61
The EnclavePhase II(6)
|
|
2006
|
|
Bowling Green State University
|
|
76.0
|
|
144
|
|
576
|
|
|
1,677
|
The Highlands
|
|
2004
|
|
University of NevadaReno
|
|
73.5
|
|
216
|
|
732
|
|
|
3,222
|
The Ridge(7)
|
|
2002
|
|
West Virginia University
|
|
98.3
|
|
168
|
|
644
|
|
|
2,164
|
The Summit
|
|
2003
|
|
Minnesota State UniversityMankato
|
|
99.0
|
%
|
192
|
|
672
|
|
|
3,683
|
The Towers at Third
|
|
1973
|
|
University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign
|
|
96.0
|
|
148
|
|
295
|
|
|
3,143
|
The Verge
|
|
2004
|
|
California State UniversitySacramento
|
|
67.4
|
|
288
|
|
792
|
|
|
3,733
|
The View
|
|
2003
|
|
University of Nebraska
|
|
96.3
|
|
156
|
|
588
|
|
|
1,933
|
University Court
|
|
2001
|
|
Michigan State University
|
|
89.0
|
|
138
|
|
516
|
|
|
2,235
|
University Crescent
|
|
1999
|
|
Louisiana State University
|
|
95.6
|
|
192
|
|
660
|
|
|
3,236
|
University Crossings
|
|
1929/2003
|
|
Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania
|
|
98.7
|
|
260
|
|
1,026
|
|
|
7,195
|
University Estates
|
|
2001
|
|
Ball State University
|
|
77.4
|
|
144
|
|
552
|
|
|
1,565
|
University Gables
|
|
2001
|
|
Middle Tennessee State University
|
|
90.6
|
|
180
|
|
648
|
|
|
2,611
|
University Greens
|
|
1999
|
|
University of Oklahoma
|
|
85.9
|
|
156
|
|
516
|
|
|
1,807
|
University Heights(7)
|
|
1999
|
|
University of Tennessee
|
|
94.2
|
|
204
|
|
636
|
|
|
2,168
|
University Lodge
|
|
2002
|
|
University of Wyoming
|
|
49.1
|
|
121
|
|
481
|
|
|
1,385
|
University Manor
|
|
2002
|
|
East Carolina University
|
|
84.5
|
|
168
|
|
600
|
|
|
2,544
|
University Meadows
|
|
2001
|
|
Central Michigan University
|
|
97.7
|
|
184
|
|
616
|
|
|
2,360
|
University Mills
|
|
2002
|
|
Northern Iowa University
|
|
99.0
|
|
121
|
|
481
|
|
|
1,980
|
University Oaks
|
|
2004
|
|
University of South Carolina
|
|
99.4
|
|
181
|
|
662
|
|
|
3,837
|
University Pines
|
|
2001
|
|
Georgia Southern University
|
|
87.3
|
|
144
|
|
552
|
|
|
2,493
|
University Place
|
|
2003
|
|
University of Virginia
|
|
83.0
|
|
144
|
|
528
|
|
|
2,220
|
University Pointe
|
|
2004
|
|
Texas Tech University
|
|
97.2
|
|
204
|
|
682
|
|
|
3,839
|
University Trails
|
|
2003
|
|
Texas Tech University
|
|
97.2
|
|
240
|
|
684
|
|
|
3,622
|
University Village
|
|
1979/2006
|
|
California State Sacramento
|
|
97.5
|
|
250
|
|
394
|
|
|
2,518
|
University Walk(7)
|
|
2002
|
|
University of North CarolinaCharlotte
|
|
87.5
|
|
120
|
|
480
|
|
|
1,744
|
University Uptown(7)
|
|
2004
|
|
North Texas University
|
|
96.8
|
|
180
|
|
528
|
|
|
2,559
|
Willow Tree Apartments
|
|
1967-1968
|
|
University of Michigan
|
|
91.7
|
|
312
|
|
572
|
|
|
3,226
|
Willow Tree Towers
|
|
1974
|
|
University of Michigan
|
|
95.7
|
|
163
|
|
283
|
|
|
1,473
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
87.6
|
|
13,232
|
|
42,670
|
|
$
|
200,828
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
As
of December 31, 2007.
-
(2)
-
Revenue
from Blanton II consist of rent and other property income for the period from the date of our acquisition (August 1, 2007) of the property through
December 31, 2007.
-
(3)
-
Campus
Connection (formerly referred to by us as Melrose ApartmentsPhase I) consists of a land parcel containing an existing student housing building that is
contiguous to a 13.1 acre, undeveloped parcel of land. The undeveloped parcel of land is referred to as Campus ConnectionPhase II (formerly referred to by us as Melrose
ApartmentsPhase II). When developed, Campus ConnectionPhase II is expected to contain 168 units and 534 beds.
-
(4)
-
Campus
Ridge Apartments consists of a land parcel containing an existing student housing building that is contiguous to a 6.1 acre partially-developed parcel of land. This
partially-developed parcel is referred to as Campus Ridge ApartmentsPhase II. When developed, Campus Ridge ApartmentsPhase II is expected to contain 72 units
and 288 beds.
-
(5)
-
Consists
of five contiguous land parcels, totaling approximately 26 acres. We currently plan to construct a 23-building student housing community that upon
completion will contain 318 units and 894 beds.
-
(6)
-
Orchard
Trails and The EnclavePhase II properties held through a joint venture with AEW Capital Management Group.
-
(7)
-
Held
through a joint venture with Fidelity Real Estate Group that covers a total of six properties: The EdgePhases I and II, The Ridge, University Heights,
University Uptown and University Walk.
62
Properties we manage for others.
We manage each of the student housing properties we own. As of December 31, 2007, we
also managed 17 student housing properties owned by others, containing a total of 3,185 units and 10,647 beds, including 48 units and 262 beds that are currently
under construction. We manage these student housing properties owned by others through one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries. The following table presents information regarding the student housing
properties that we managed for others as of December 31, 2007, and occupancy rates at these properties as of the year ended December 31, 2007:
Property Name
|
|
Year
Built
|
|
Primary University Served
|
|
Occupancy
Rate(1)
|
|
Number of
Units(1)
|
|
Number
of Beds(1)
|
Campus ClubGainesville(2)
|
|
1997
|
|
University of Florida
|
|
87.2
|
%
|
252
|
|
924
|
Campus Pointe at WKU
|
|
2005
|
|
Western Kentucky University
|
|
80.7
|
|
132
|
|
372
|
Gateway @ Glades(2)
|
|
2000
|
|
University of Florida
|
|
96.5
|
|
120
|
|
432
|
McKinley House(3)
|
|
N/A
|
|
University of Illinois
|
|
N/A
|
|
48
|
|
262
|
Nittany Pointe(2)
|
|
2000
|
|
Pennsylvania State UniversityAltoona
|
|
99.5
|
|
156
|
|
624
|
Pegasus Landing
|
|
1999
|
|
University of Central Florida
|
|
90.5
|
|
744
|
|
2,532
|
Pegasus Pointe
|
|
1999
|
|
University of Central Florida
|
|
97.5
|
|
432
|
|
1,224
|
Presbyterian House
|
|
2007
|
|
University of Wisconsin
|
|
79.1
|
|
51
|
|
239
|
Scott Residence Hall & Conference Center
|
|
2000
|
|
University of NebraskaOmaha
|
|
100.0
|
|
50
|
|
168
|
Scott Village
|
|
2003
|
|
University of NebraskaOmaha
|
|
100.0
|
|
120
|
|
480
|
Seminole Suites(2)
|
|
2004
|
|
Florida State @ Tallahassee
|
|
97.5
|
|
264
|
|
924
|
The Village at West Chester
|
|
2004
|
|
West Chester University
|
|
98.1
|
|
131
|
|
524
|
University Courtyard
|
|
1999
|
|
Florida A&M University
|
|
79.4
|
|
96
|
|
384
|
University Edge(2)
|
|
2003
|
|
University of Southern Mississippi
|
|
84.2
|
|
156
|
|
552
|
University Hall at West Chester
|
|
2004
|
|
West Chester University
|
|
95.1
|
|
88
|
|
265
|
University Towers
|
|
1996
|
|
San Diego State University
|
|
N/A
|
|
290
|
|
570
|
WestminsterNorth and South
|
|
1923/1926-
1927
|
|
University of California at Berkeley
|
|
100.0
|
|
55
|
|
171
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,185
|
|
10,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
As
of December 31, 2007.
(2)
As
of the date of this report, we had been given notice of termination of these management agreements by the respective owners of these properties. All management agreements will be
terminated between December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008.
(3)
McKinley
House consists of a student housing property that is currently under construction and, when completed, is expected to contain 48 units and 262 beds. The
property is expected to be completed in August 2008. We are currently providing pre-leasing services with respect to this property.
Our corporate headquarters and other leased space.
We own our corporate headquarters building, which is
located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania and consists of approximately 44,721 square feet of administrative offices. As of December 31, 2007, we leased approximately 7,682 square feet of our
headquarters building to several entities affiliated with Gary M. Holloway, Sr. We believe that our current facilities are adequate for our present purposes.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
As of November 2, 2007, the Company had entered into a settlement agreement with the lead plaintiffs in connection with a class action lawsuit alleging
violations of Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
Rule 10b-5. The class action lawsuit had been filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, naming as defendants GMH Communities Trust,
Gary M. Holloway, Sr., and Bradley W. Harris, and was brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company's securities between May 5, 2005 and March 10, 2006
based upon the Company's restatement of certain financial results. The Court preliminarily approved the settlement agreement by Order dated February 13, 2008
63
and
scheduled a Settlement Hearing for April 25, 2008. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, all claims against the Company and related defendants would be dismissed without admission or
presumption of liability or wrongdoing. The settlement agreement is contingent upon various conditions, including, but not limited to, final approval by the Court after notice to the class. The
Company can provide no assurance that the settlement agreement will be approved by the Court; and in the event the settlement is not approved, the Company would be required to continue to defend
itself against the action.
On
September 4, 2007, the Company entered into a settlement and mutual release agreement in connection with a lawsuit that had been brought by Stone Gate I LLC,
Southview LLC, The Commons LLC, Seminole Ride LLC, LB&J Limited, Bruce Forbes, Lois Forbes and Jeff Forbes. The plaintiffs had filed the original complaint on March 12,
2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against GMH Communities Trust, GMH Communities, L.P., College Park Investments, LLC, Peach Grove
Associates, LLC, Neff Avenue Associates, LLC, Gary M. Holloway, Sr., Bradley W. Harris and John DeRiggi. The complaint alleged violations of Sections 10(b),
18 and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 522(a) and 522(c) of the Virginia Securities Act and Sections 1-401 and 1-501 of
the Pennsylvania Securities Act, as well as common law claims for fraud, fraud in the inducement, negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract. The claims arose from the Company's restatement of
certain financial results upon which plaintiffs purportedly relied in selling properties to certain defendants. In connection with the acquisition of the properties, Company entities purchased four
student housing properties in exchange for a combination of cash, assumption of debt and the issuance of 1,940,282 units of limited partnership interests in our operating partnership valued at
a total of approximately $76.8 million. The units of limited partnership interest were issued for a total value of approximately $27.5 million or $14.17 per unit of limited partnership
interest. On May 25, 2007, Stone Gate I, LLC and Southview LLC each also had filed a Memorandum of Lis Pendens in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Circuit Court of Rockingham
County against the defendants (excluding the individual defendants, Messrs. Holloway, Harris and DeRiggi, who were not named in either Memorandum). Under the terms of the settlement and
release, the action has been dismissed with prejudice, the lis pendens has been marked as satisfied, and the plaintiffs have agreed to a full release of the Company and all other defendants. Also as
part of the settlement terms, the Company's operating partnership has completed the redemption of all of the plaintiffs' units of limited partnership interest in exchange for a cash payment calculated
in accordance with the redemption terms set forth under the Company's operating partnership agreement.
The
Company also is subject to routine litigation, claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than the matters described above, we are not
involved in any other material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation pending or threatened against us.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
We did not submit any matters to the vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
64