Community investment, one neighborhood at a time

As one of the first firms to build racially integrated residential subdivisions in the 1950s through the advent of our Opportunity Zone fund, LNWA aims for risk-adjusted returns that also prioritize social and environmental responsibility.

Impact Investment Initiatives

INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE RESILIENCY

LNWA adopts environmentally sensitive solutions in its planning, design, construction, and maintenance. Our firm has broad experience measuring and minimizing our impact via the built environment. LNWA is proud to have developed or operated real estate assets under the following Green building certifications:

  • National Green Building Standard (NGBS)
  • Enterprise Green Communities
  • Department of Energy (DOE) Net Zero Ready
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
  • EarthCraft
  • Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission Peach Rating System
  • Enhanced HERS Ratings (RESNET)
  • EnergyStar and WaterSense fixtures and equipment
  • Yardi Utility Expense Management and WeGoWise Software

In addition, our properties recycle, compost and feature solar energy, solar hot water, and other renewable energy sources whenever feasible.

INVESTMENT IN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Community building requires solid foundations. LNWA invests in supportive amenity packages at its communities that enhance physical and mental health, financial management and family life. We are proud to partner with the following organizations and we also welcome opportunities to partner on supportive housing initiatives.

  • Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, Inc. (DCRAC)
  • Tri-County Community Action Commission of Central PA
  • University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
  • Penn Foundation
  • Keystone Opportunity Center
  • BAYADA Home Health Care Services
  • Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc.
  • First State Community Action Agency
  • Delaware Center for Justice, Inc.
  • Food Bank of Delaware
  • Literacy Delaware

THE LEON WEINER EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Leon N. Weiner Education Foundation (LNWEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2004 and provides educational assistance and cultural enrichment programs to children and families with low to moderate incomes. Please click here to learn more about this social impact initiative honoring the memory of our founder.

Opportunity Zone Investments

What is the Opportunity Zone Program?

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) established the Opportunity Zone program as an economic incentive for private, long-term investment in distressed communities. The following flow chart summarizes the rules of investing through Qualified Opportunity Funds. LNWA can offer investors substantial capital gain tax incentives both immediately and over the long term while creating lasting community impact.


fundrise-opportunity-zone-fund

Our Platform and Investment Philosophy

In 2018, LNWA formed LNWA OZ Fund I to facilitate deeper investment in communities we already work in. Our Fund principles include:

Real Estate Focused

While Opportunity Zone capital can invest in a variety of asset classes, we are real estate developers and the Fund is focused on real estate acquisitions and development.

Tax & Timing Expertise

For over 30 years LNWA has been investing in tax-advantaged programs, such as Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits. Expertise in complicated tax and accounting matters ensures value for our partners.

Agreed Upon Exit Strategy

The Fund operates as a focused and unified group of Limited Partners and has vetted the exit strategy prior to entering the deal. This will ensure the long-term benefits, both economically and socially, that we view as part and parcel of this program.

Triple Bottom Line

The intent of this program is social, environmental and economic in nature. The Fund will operate with these values.

Get Involved

LNWA has a vetted, multistep process for project participation as either a joint venture partner or fee-for-service developer. Please send us an email to discuss how we might partner.

Contact Us