UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Mark One) | |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 |
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or |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to |
Commission file number 001-32290
GMH Communities Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
201181390 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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10 Campus Boulevard Newtown Square, Pennsylvania (Address of principal executive offices) |
19073 (Zip Code) |
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 355-8000 |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
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Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.001 par value per share |
New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer ý Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2005), was $534,239,637.
The number of common shares of beneficial interest of the registrant outstanding as of July 24, 2006 was 41,566,198 shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
GMH COMMUNITIES TRUST
INDEX TO FORM 10-K
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Page |
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | ii | |||
PART I |
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Item 1. |
Business |
1 |
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Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 42 | ||
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 67 | ||
Item 2. | Properties | 68 | ||
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 72 | ||
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 73 | ||
PART II |
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Item 5. |
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
76 |
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Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 79 | ||
Item 7. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 81 | ||
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk | 104 | ||
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 105 | ||
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 141 | ||
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 141 | ||
Item 9B. | Other Information | 155 | ||
PART III |
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Item 10. |
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant |
156 |
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Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 160 | ||
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 171 | ||
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 175 | ||
Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 177 | ||
PART IV |
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Item 15. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
178 |
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Our disclosure and analysis in this document and in the documents that are or will be incorporated by reference into this document contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future events, including, among other things, operating or financial performance, strategic plans and objectives, or regulatory or competitive environments. Statements regarding the following subjects are forward-looking by their nature:
The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our management's current expectations include, but are not limited to:
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When we use the words "believe," "expect," "may," "potential," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "will," "could," "intend" or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
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GMH Communities Trust commenced operations on November 2, 2004, upon completion of its initial public offering and the simultaneous acquisition of the sole general partnership interest in GMH Communities, LP, referred to throughout this report as our operating partnership. The historical operations prior to completion of our initial public offering that are described in this prospectus refer to the operations of College Park Management, Inc., GMH Military Housing, LLC, 353 Associates, L.P., and Corporate Flight Services, LLC, which are collectively referred to, together with our operating partnership, as The GMH Predecessor Entities or our predecessor entities.
In connection with our formation transactions completed prior to and simultaneously with completion of our initial public offering, the interests in The GMH Predecessor Entities were contributed to our operating partnership as described in Note 1 of the financial statements included in this report. We have described our operations in this report as if the historical operations of our predecessor entities were conducted by us for the full fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Our Company
We are 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 minority equity interests in joint ventures that own our military housing privatization projects. Through taxable REIT subsidiaries, we provide 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.
As of December 31, 2005, we owned or had ownership interests in 54 student housing properties, containing a total of 10,236 units and 33,340 beds, one undeveloped parcel of land and three partially developed parcels of land. We also managed or provided consulting services for 18 student housing properties owned by others as of December 31, 2005, containing a total of 4,222 units and 13,365 beds, including 455 units and 1,938 beds that are currently under construction. Additionally, as of December 31, 2005, our operating partnership had an ownership interest in, and through various wholly-owned subsidiaries, operated seven military housing privatization projects, and had an additional project under exclusive negotiation, comprising an aggregate of 16,745 end-state housing units on 19 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 for the project. On May 1, 2006, we officially closed on the award of the project that was under exclusive negotiation, comprising 887 end-state housing units located on the base of Fort Gordon near Augusta, Georgia, and we acquired an ownership interest in the Army's Carlisle Barracks and Picatinny Arsenal project and assumed management and maintenance services for this project, which covers 348 end-state units. As of July 21, 2006, financing was secured for the Carlisle/Picatinny project, and construction and renovation agreements were in the process of being completed to permit the commencement of construction/renovation activities. In addition, we are currently in the solicitation process with the Air Force for a military housing privatization project that is expected to cover four bases and 2,875 end-state housing units.
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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. Since 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. Since 1996, according to statistics released by the DoD as of June 5, 2006, the U.S. military has awarded to private companies long-term agreements and rights to exclusively negotiate agreements with the U.S. military for 73 domestic projects, and has identified another 37 domestic projects for which it will seek to award privatization projects. Our management team has won over 30% of the privatization projects on which it has bid (including those projects for which exclusive negotiations have been awarded) and GMH Communities Trust is currently developing and managing more individual bases than any of its competitors.
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 taxable REIT subsidiaries, GMH Military Housing, LLC and College Park Management TRS, Inc. A "taxable REIT subsidiary" is 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.
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 U.S Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Our Internet web site and the information contained therein or connected thereto do not constitute a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our Recent Activities
Since the completion of our formation transactions in connection with our initial public offering that was completed on November 2, 2004, we have had substantial growth activities in both our student and military housing segments.
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Student Housing
During 2005, we acquired 24 properties totaling 4,753 units and 14,302 beds, and three undeveloped parcels of land, for an aggregate purchase price of $548.5 million. These properties were primarily financed through the placement or assumption of an aggregate of $329.8 million in mortgage debt and the placement of $21.3 million in mortgage debt on a previously unencumbered property that was acquired in 2004, as well as from available cash from operations and draws upon our line of credit. As of December 31, 2005, including the acquisitions that we completed in connection with our formation transactions and initial public offering, we had acquired 54 student housing properties totaling 33,340 beds, and four undeveloped parcels of land for development as student housing properties, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,181.6 million, including an aggregate of $402.2 million in new mortgage debt placed on these properties and the assumption of $298.4 million in existing mortgage debt on these properties. We also began development of Phase II of Campus Ridge Apartments in Johnson City, Tennessee on one of the undeveloped parcels of land acquired during 2005. The estimated costs for the development and construction of this property are $10.4 million, of which $7.8 million will be financed through a construction loan. In addition, we refinanced variable-rate mortgage debt secured by seven of our student housing properties, resulting in the repayment of approximately $21.2 million of the total $113.8 million of mortgage debt outstanding on these properties, with $92.6 million of fixed-rate mortgage debt with interest rates ranging from 4.24% to 4.7% and maturity terms ranging from five to seven years.
We also have entered into a joint venture with an institutional partner to develop and construct two student housing properties, one of which is located in Orono, Maine and the other in Bowling Green, Ohio, with estimated aggregate costs for acquiring the properties and development and construction of approximately $43.5 million. Under the terms of this venture, our joint venture partner will fund 90% of the $11.5 million in equity expected to be required for the properties, which includes acquisition costs for the properties and a portion of the development and construction costs. We have funded the remaining 10% of this $11.5 million required equity, or approximately $1.2 million. The joint venture has obtained a construction loan for each property that permits draws for up to an aggregate of $32.0 million, or approximately 75% of the total costs for the two student housing properties to be developed. We will manage the properties, including the development, construction and pre-leasing of the properties. We have agreed to fund the cost of construction overruns for these properties, and have entered into guaranteed maximum price contracts with the general contractor for the properties unless such overruns result from change orders from the original construction plan. We have the option to purchase our joint venture partner's interest in the joint venture within one year after completion of the student housing properties, which is expected to be prior to the 2006/2007 academic year. We expect to actively pursue similar joint venture structures with third parties with respect to the acquisition of additional student housing properties, as well as development projects, during 2006.
Military Housing
Since our initial public offering in late 2004, we have been awarded and entered into final agreements with respect to three military housing privatization projects in operation as of December 31, 2005, in addition to the four military housing privatization projects in which we acquired interests in connection with our formation transactions. Shortly after completion of our initial public offering, we partnered with the U.S. Department of the Navy to design, build, manage and maintain the military family housing at eight Northeast Region naval installations, referred to as our Navy Northeast project. In addition, during the first quarter of 2005, permanent financing for our Fort Eustis/Fort Story project was completed, which project covers two bases located in Virginia involving the new construction and/or major renovation of more than 1,100 end-state housing units. Lastly, in July 2005, we partnered with the Department of the Army to design, build, manage and maintain military housing at Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas and the White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces,
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New Mexico. The finalized plans for this project include a six-year initial development period with new construction and/or renovations of more than 3,000 end-state housing units.
In May 2005, we were selected by the U.S. Department of the Army to engage in exclusive negotiations with the Army to be its private sector partner for the design, development, construction/renovation and management of family military housing at Fort Gordon, located near Augusta, Georgia. On May 1, 2006, we officially closed on the award of this project in connection with the execution of definitive agreements relating to the final terms of the project. This 50-year project has a six-year initial development period with new construction and/or renovations on 887 end-state housing units. In addition, we are currently in the solicitation process with the Air Force for a military housing privatization project that is expected to cover four bases and 2,875 end-state housing units.
In February 2006, we signed an agreement with American Eagle Communities Northeast LLC to acquire its exclusive negotiation rights with respect to the Army's Carlisle Barracks and Picatinny Arsenal project, referred to as the Carlisle/Picatinny project. The agreement allowed us to become the Army's private sector partner for the design, development, construction/renovation and management of family military housing at the Carlisle/Picatinny bases located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Dover, New Jersey, respectively. This 50-year project has a five-year initial development period with new construction and/or renovations covering 348 end-state housing units. On May 1, 2006, we acquired an ownership interest in the Carlisle/Picatinny project and began management and maintenance services for this project. As of July 21, 2006, financing was secured for the Carlisle/Picatinny project, and construction and renovation agreements were in the process of being completed to permit the commencement of construction/renovation activities.
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, based upon our internal competitive analysis estimates, to become 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 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, 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. According to the Rosen Consulting Group, LLC, a California-based real estate and regional economics research and consulting firm that provides expert viewpoints and forecasts on the economy, the capital markets and the real estate markets for banks, insurance companies and real estate investors, the off-campus student housing market contains approximately 5.3 million beds of an estimated 7.5 million total student housing beds. Based on our experience acquiring and operating student housing properties, we estimate that the aggregate value of all student housing properties is approximately $186 billion, based on an assumed average value of $35,000 per bed. We also estimate annual aggregate off-campus student housing rental revenues of approximately $23.6 billion, assuming an average monthly rental rate of $371 per bed. We base these asset value and rental rate assumptions on our own
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experience acquiring and operating student housing properties. 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. Further, the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics, or NCES, has projected that total fall enrollment at four-year institutions of higher education in the U.S. will increase 16% from the 16.6 million students that were enrolled in 2002 to 19.5 million students in 2014. This growth in students is projected to impact particular geographic regions of the country disproportionately, highlighting the importance of our acquisition of targeted investment properties in select markets. We further believe that due to budgetary constraints, colleges and universities have not sufficiently expanded, renovated or modernized existing on-campus student housing to meet this increasing demand for student housing. According to the Center for the Study of Education Policy, colleges and universities may be faced with tighter budgets and increasing competition for students, and have less funding available to develop and manage student housing properties themselves.
According to the Rosen Consulting Group, the combination of higher enrollments of full-time students attending four-year programs and the lack of attractive on-campus housing properties available for students will cause a significant increase in demand for high quality off-campus student housing in those regions experiencing high levels of student growth. The NCES data also indicates an increase in the number of students desiring to live off-campus. Currently, 5.3 million of the estimated 7.5 million beds in the student housing market are located in off-campus student housing, compared to 2.2 million beds located on-campus. According to the publication College Planning and Management, in 2003, of 118 colleges and universities surveyed, on-campus student housing capacity was, on average, 23.7% of the total student population. We believe that this demand for high quality, off-campus student housing will afford private owners opportunities to capitalize on the off-campus student housing market.
Furthermore, according to information provided by the Association of College and University Housing OfficersInternational, or ACUHO, many college and university students favor a distinctive student housing product, unlike that which is typically offered by colleges and universities today, that provides functional housing units with amenities and services designed specifically to meet their particular lifestyles and needs. 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.
Based upon NCES data and our internal analysis of the current student housing marketplace, 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 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
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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, and 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 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 near colleges or universities with a student enrollment of at least 5,000, where the college or university is a primary driver of the local economy and 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 provide strong growth opportunities. 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 seek 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 close to 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, according to NCES data, have begun to cap the number of students accepted. These caps on student enrollment at large, state-funded institutions have also had a positive effect on campus enrollment at competing colleges and universities located near these institutions. For example, the main campus of the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, has experienced and is projected to continue to experience minimal enrollment growth because its current enrollment is at or near its capacity. This has produced opportunities at traditionally smaller campuses such as Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where enrollment grew 24.4% from 2000 to 2005, to a total of 15,304 students as of Fall 2005.
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. Our management team's identification efforts of prospective properties is enhanced by its affiliations with and active membership in leading university-related organizations such as the National Association of College and University Business Officers, ACUHO, and the National Association of College Personnel Administration. We believe we have the opportunity to acquire additional student housing properties, typically with a combination of cash, common shares and/or units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership, thereby creating the opportunity for tax-deferred transactions for a seller.
Deliver full range of high quality product. We seek to acquire and manage modern, state-of-the-art town homes, 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, a dining area and a 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
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housing personnel that live on-site and provide our residents with 24-hour resident services, including maintenance and emergency services.
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 four 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 neighboring 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. For the 2005/2006 academic year, we received parental guarantees on more than 90% of the student leases in our portfolio. 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 web- and 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 web site dedicated for 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. We also maintain informal "high school feeder programs," through which our local leasing and marketing representatives visit the high schools that send a majority of students to the colleges and universities in our target markets and meet with students and their guidance counselors to inform them of the housing options that we offer.
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' web sites, in addition
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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.
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:
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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 is 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 report dated October 2003 by the NCES, fall enrollment at four-year institutions of higher education in the U.S. is expected to increase from the 16.6 million students that were enrolled in 2002 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 2003, 4.0 million Americans turned 18; by 2010, that number will peak at 4.4 million and remain 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 18 to 24 year-olds are North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, Georgia and Washington. As of December 31, 2005, more than 20 of our student housing properties were located in these "top 10" states.
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As of December 31, 2005 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 12.3% in the 18 to 24 year-old population, which is an average of 93,428 persons between 2000 and 2010.
We believe that these projected increases in the 18 to 24 year-old population and in college student 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. According to Rosen Consulting Group, LLC, at 20 of the largest universities in the U.S. the average age of student housing dormitories found on campus is over 36 years old. In addition to the need for additional 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 becoming a factor in a student's housing and university selection. According to Rosen Consulting Group, LLC, at 20 of the largest universities in the country, private bedrooms accounted for only 23% of total on-campus capacity; only 33% of students living in on-campus facilities had a bathroom shared with less than four people; and only 17% had a kitchen in their housing units. Student housing that includes these amenities is more expensive to build. According to a survey by the magazine American School and University, the cost per square foot to construct a new residence hall has nearly doubled over the past 10 years, from $82 in 1993 to $150 in 2002.
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
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funds available to colleges and universities 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 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 budget deficits, we believe public universities' finances are straining their capacity to fund significant capital projects such as student housing. A recent survey by the Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations found that approximately 1,260 colleges and universities in the U.S. plan to make across-the-board cuts in all academic programs. The same number of colleges and universities plan to trim building and maintenance expenditures, including new construction projects. The majority of facilities-related budget cuts have been for maintenance spending, though many new construction projects also have been postponed.
Supply of Student Housing
According to the publication College Planning and Management, of 118 colleges and universities surveyed, on-campus student housing capacity was, on average, 23.7% of the total student population. The remaining percentage of students must look for housing elsewhere. 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, 2005, we managed all of the student housing properties owned by us and managed, or provided consulting services for, 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. Our operating partnership has entered into a consulting agreement to
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provide consulting services to GMH Capital Partners, LP, an affiliate of our chairman, president and chief executive officer, relating to property management consulting services that are provided by the affiliate for five of the 18 student housing properties, as of December 31, 2005, in exchange for consulting fees equal to 80% of the amount of net management fee income the affiliate receives from the property owners. Effective January 1, 2006, the consulting agreement was terminated and we began providing management services directly to four of the five properties. The management agreement between the affiliate and the owner of the final property ended on December 31, 2005.
Investment Criteria
In analyzing proposed student housing acquisitions, we consider various factors including, among others, the following:
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.
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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, Capstone Properties, First Worthing, Ambling Companies, Campus Advantage, The Dinerstein Companies and JPI Student Living. 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 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 released by the DoD as of June 5, 2006, the U.S. military has awarded to private companies long-term agreements and rights to exclusively negotiate agreements with the U.S. military for 73 domestic projects containing, in the aggregate, a total of 135,696 end-state housing units. The DoD has targeted another 37 domestic projects containing an additional 48,068 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 these additional targeted projects, reflect the opportunity to develop, construct, renovate and manage a total of 183,764 end-state housing units.
In 1999, GMH Associates recognized the opportunity to leverage the core competencies that it had developed in its student housing and conventional multi-family housing businesses and assembled a highly coordinated, full service, professional team to focus on the procurement of military housing privatization projects. Our management team has won over 30% of the privatization projects on which it has bid (including those projects for which exclusive negotiations have been awarded) and GMH Communities Trust is currently developing and managing more individual bases than any of its competitors.
As of December 31, 2005, our operating partnership held an ownership interest in, and operated, through various wholly owned subsidiaries, seven military 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
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Range, and eight Navy bases. We refer to these seven projects as the Stewart Hunter project, the Fort Carson project, the Fort Hamilton project, the Fort Eustis/Story project, the Walter Reed/Fort Detrick project, the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, and the Navy Northeast Region project, respectively. In addition to these projects, as of December 31, 2005, we were in the exclusive negotiation process for one additional Army privatization project at Fort Gordon. Exclusive negotiations typically last six to 12 months and culminate in final approval from Congress and the applicable U.S. military branch and the execution of definitive agreements relating to the terms of the project. Collectively, the Stewart Hunter project, the Fort Carson project, the Fort Hamilton project, the Fort Eustis/Story project, the Walter Reed/Fort Detrick project, the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, and the Navy Northeast Region project cover 18 domestic bases and, once full development, construction and renovation have been completed for these projects, the DoD has estimated that they will contain approximately 15,858 end-state housing units. On May 1, 2006, we officially closed on the award of the Fort Gordon project with the Army, and we acquired an ownership interest in the Carlisle/Picatinny project and began management and maintenance services. The Fort Gordon privatization project covers one additional domestic base and, once full development, construction and renovation have been completed for this project, the DoD has estimated that it will contain an aggregate of 887 end-state housing units. The Carlisle/Picatinny project covers two additional domestic bases and is estimated to cover an aggregate of 348 end-state housing units upon completion of development, construction and renovation under the terms of the project. As of July 21, 2006, financing was secured for the Carlisle/Picatinny project, and construction and renovation agreements were in the process of being completed to permit the commencement of construction/renovation activities. In addition, we are currently in the solicitation process with the Air Force for a military housing privatization project that is expected to cover four bases and 2,875 end-state housing units.
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. Including the Fort Gordon and Carlisle/Picatinny projects, for which definitive agreements were executed on May 1, 2006 and July 21, 2006, respectively, our management agreements for all nine privatization projects provide us with the opportunity to manage 17,093 end-state housing units on 21 bases in 12 states and Washington, DC, including 7,719 units we have constructed or plan to construct and 7,175 units we have renovated or plan to renovate. In addition, we are currently in the solicitation process with the Air Force for a military housing privatization project that is expected to cover four bases and 2,875 end-state housing units.
We believe that we are one of the largest private-sector managers of military housing units in the U.S., based on the number of military bases awarded to date. At each of the projects we managed as of April 21, 2006, the following numbers of units were in operation: Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield3,643 units; Fort Carson2,664 units; Fort Hamilton238 units; Walter Reed/Fort Detrick399 units; Fort Eustis/Story1,115 units, Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range2,878 units; and Navy Northeast Region4,350 units.
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Some of the bases included in our military housing privatization projects were targeted for closure or realignment as a result of the most recent round of the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, process, which was initiated in 1988 and reached its fifth and, under current legislation, final round in 2005. 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 two bases under our Navy Northeast Region projectthe Submarine Base in New London, CT and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. In addition, the BRAC Commission also proposed a less significant realignment than was proposed by the DoD with respect to the Fort Eustis base under our Fort Eustis/Fort Story project in Newport News, Virginia; and the BRAC Commission proposed to close the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine, which had been recommended for only realignment by the DoD. Finally, the BRAC Commission voted to uphold the DoD's recommendation to close the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, which is part of our Walter Reed/Fort Detrick project. In September 2005, the BRAC Commission sent its report to the President regarding its findings and recommended changes to President Bush, and, in turn, President Bush accepted the BRAC Commission's recommendations in their entirety. On November 9, 2005, the BRAC round was completed when Congress also approved the BRAC Commission's recommendations in their entirety. Under the final BRAC list, the possible number of affected military housing units covered by our existing projects was 700 end-state units, all of which units are located at the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine. This compares with 2,500 end-state units that could have been affected under the DoD's original recommendation. In addition to the reduction in end-state units resulting from the anticipated closure of the Naval Air Station, we expect that the number of housing units covered at two bases under our Fort Carson and Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range projects may increase as a result of base realignments. 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 in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.
We conduct our military development, construction/renovation and management services through our taxable REIT subsidiary, GMH Military Housing, LLC.
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.
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 condition 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,
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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 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.
Based upon our experience and review of the solicitation process, the Air Force ranks bidders based on numerous factors. The Air Force 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
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approved by Congress, it 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 defines 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 conducted through an organizational structure that involves two wholly owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership, GMH Military Housing Investments LLC, and GMH Military Housing, LLC, which is a taxable REIT subsidiary. 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 the projects 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).
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
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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 our typical Project Owner structure:
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 project. 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. 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.
The Project Owner pays GMH Development a base fee equal to a percentage of approximately 2.5% of the total development costs for the project, from the beginning of the initial development
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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's incentive fee generally does not exceed 1.5% of the total 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 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. Construction/renovation refers to the minor and major renovation work that we perform at our projects. With regard to project construction/renovation, the Project Owner pays GMH Management 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, GMH Management typically is entitled to receive construction/renovation incentive fees from the Project Owner upon the satisfaction of designated milestones. During the initial development period, GMH Management's incentive fee generally does not exceed 1.0% of the total 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.
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.
With regard to property management, the Project Owner contracts with GMH Management for GMH Management 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. GMH Management 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.
GMH Management 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 GMH Management the authority to make expenditures and incur obligations included in the operating budget. GMH Management also has the authority to make certain emergency expenditures.
As standard compensation for the services it provides, GMH Management is paid a base fee, equal to a percentage of effective gross revenue for the project. In addition, GMH Management is entitled to receive an additional 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.
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The Project Owner generally may terminate the management agreement upon written notice to GMH Management 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 project, the Project Owner entered 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 our projects with the Army and the Navy, the Project Owner and the Army or the Navy, 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 Army and Navy 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 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 Army or the Navy, as the case may be, 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 provide that in the event an applicable base is subject to base 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 pursuant to a purchase option agreement by and between the Army and the applicable Project LLC. On those projects in the event of a base closure, as to all or a portion of the property, the Project Owner may terminate the ground lease with respect to all or such portion of the property, subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by holder(s) of the debt used to finance the project. 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
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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 as follows:
Funds Flow During Initial Development Period
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Funds Flow Post-Initial Development Period
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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.
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
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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.
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. On October 22, 2003, our subsidiary, GMH Military Housing Investments LLC, entered into a joint venture agreement with a subsidiary of The Benham Companies, LLC, Benham Military Communities, LLC, which sets forth the terms by which Benham will participate in the equity structure on certain of our privatization projects and provide architectural, engineering and design services on those military privatization projects awarded to us. Under this agreement, we and Benham are permitted to bid on future privatization projects independently of the other. We also maintain business relationships with construction companies, such as Centex Construction Company, LLC, Phelps Development LLC and Jeffrey M. Brown Associates, Inc., pursuant to which these third parties provide construction 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
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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 June 5, 2006, according to the information made available by the DoD, the remaining military family housing privatization market contains 48,068 housing units to be privatized through 37 additional projects. These remaining units are expected to generate approximately $650 million in total annual rental revenue based on the 2006 average BAH for these remaining units of approximately $13,500 per year. As of June 5, 2006, awarded projects and exclusive negotiations represent 135,696 end-state units through 73 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. In particular, the Navy has identified three initial sites which will serve as a pilot program for the privatization of unaccompanied military personnel housing. We believe the potential market for unaccompanied personnel housing is significantly larger than that for family housing. According to an audit report of the DoD Inspector General, dated August 1999, there are approximately 556,000 unaccompanied military personnel housing units. We estimate that these unaccompanied housing units will, upon completion, generate approximately $4.8 billion in total annual rental revenue, based on the 2006 average BAH for unaccompanied personnel of approximately $8,700 per year. Given our management's experience in bidding on military housing privatization projects, coupled with their extensive student housing experience, we believe that we will 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 or all of these unaccompanied military personnel housing units.
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.
Military Housing Privatization Projects
As of July 21, 2006, we had an ownership interest in and operated nine military housing privatization projects, the Stewart Hunter project, the Fort Carson project, the Fort Hamilton project, the Fort Eustis/Story project, the Walter Reed/Fort Detrick project, the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, the Navy Northeast Region project, the Fort Gordon project and the Carlisle/Picatinny project.
Each of our projects in operation as of December 31, 2005 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 or had an exclusive negotiation right as of December 31, 2005, as well as the anticipated terms of projects for which we are under exclusive negotiation. We cannot provide any assurance that we will close our investment in the project with respect to which we have an exclusive negotiation right.
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Military Housing Privatization Projects in Operation
as of July 21, 2006
Project Name |
Location |
Initial Development Period(1) |
Initial Development Period Expected Completion Date |
Initial Development Period Project Costs(2) (in millions) |
Initial Development Period Project Costs Expended(3) (in millions) |
Expected End-State Housing Units at Initial Development Period Completion Date |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield |
Hinesville, GA Savannah, GA |
8 years | October 2011 | $355.5 | $222.6 | 1,868 1,597 237 |
new units renovated units existing units(4) | ||||||||
3,702 | |||||||||||||||
Fort Carson(5) | 841 | new units | |||||||||||||
Colorado Springs, CO | 5 years | Completed | Completed | Completed | 1,823 | renovated units | |||||||||
2,664 | |||||||||||||||
Fort Hamilton | 185 | new units | |||||||||||||
Brooklyn, NY | 3 years | May 2007 | 61.4 | 51.5 | 43 | renovated units | |||||||||
228 | |||||||||||||||
Walter Reed Army Medical Center/Fort Detrick(6) | Washington, DC Frederick, MD |
4 years | June 2008 | 96.3 | 61.3 | 407 156 36 |
new units renovated units existing units(4) | ||||||||
599 | |||||||||||||||
Fort Eustis/Fort Story(7) | Newport News, VA Virginia Beach, VA |
6 years | February 2011 | 167.6 | 39.7 | 651 473 |
new units renovated units | ||||||||
1,124 | |||||||||||||||
Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range(8) | El Paso, TX Las Cruces, NM |
6 years | June 2011 | 445.9 | 46.1 | 1,959 1,178 140 |
new units renovated units existing units(4) | ||||||||
3,277 | |||||||||||||||
Navy Northeast Region(9) | Brunswick, ME; Kittery, ME; Newport, RI; Groton, CT; Saratoga Springs, NY; Long Island, NY; Colts Neck, NJ; Lakehurst, NJ | 6 years | October 2010 | 612.5 | 121.3 | 1,251 1,227 1,786 |
new units renovated units existing units(4) | ||||||||
4,264 | |||||||||||||||
Fort Gordon | Augusta, GA | 6 years | April 2012 | 110.3 | | 310 577 |
new units renovated units | ||||||||
887 | |||||||||||||||
Carlisle/Picatinny |
Carlisle, PA Dover, NJ |
5 years |
July 2011 |
79.0 |
|
247 101 |
new units renovated units |
||||||||
348 | (10) | ||||||||||||||
Total | $1,928.5 | $542.5 | 17,093 | ||||||||||||
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Projects in Operation as of July 21, 2006
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Hinesville/Savannah, Georgia
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are two Army bases located in Hinesville and Savannah, Georgia, respectively, and as of April 21, 2006, we managed 3,643 housing units at these bases. Fort Stewart is the home to the Army's Third Infantry Division. These strategically located East Coast bases have access to both rail and water transportation. Hunter Army Airfield has the second longest runway in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River.
We and our predecessor entities have been operating this project since November 2003. Over the course of an eight-year initial development period for this privatization project, we plan to demolish 1,092 units and construct a total of 1,868 units consisting of new and replacement units. The amenities we offer at this base include sports courts, playgrounds, multipurpose community centers with business centers, computers and copiers, swimming pools with water spraygrounds and a walking trail system.
This project includes:
Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Carson is an Army base located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and, as of April 21, 2006, consisted of 2,664 housing units. Fort Carson is the primary location for the deployment of Army personnel to the Far East and to Europe. It is located next to North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, and Peterson Air Force Base, which provides air deployment, as well as joint training. It is also home to the Army's only Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the Army's Fourth Infantry Division.
On November 29, 1999, affiliates of the J.A. Jones Corporation, or J.A. Jones, signed the Army's first privatization contract for the development, construction, renovation and management of this base. The scope of the awarded project included the complete renovation and modernization of 1,823 existing units and the concurrent construction of 841 new units during the initial development period of five years. In 2003, an affiliate of the J.A. Jones filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result, J.A. Jones sold its interest in the Fort Carson military privatization project. GMH Associates purchased J.A. Jones' interest in the project and assumed ownership and operation of the Fort Carson project on
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November 28, 2003. Over the course of the five-year initial development period, which ended in December 2004, 841 homes were constructed and 1,823 homes were renovated. The amenities offered at this base include a sports court, playgrounds, a multipurpose community center (to be constructed in 2006) and a walking trail system.
This project includes:
Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York
Fort Hamilton is an Army base located on the waterfront in Brooklyn, New York, and as of April 21, 2006, we managed 238 housing units at this base. New York City is the largest Army recruitment center in the U.S., and Fort Hamilton is home to those military recruiters. Over the course of a three-year initial development period, we plan to construct a total of 185 new units and renovate 43 existing townhouses and single family homes. We and our predecessor entities have been operating this project since June 1, 2004. In addition to the housing units, the project includes family-oriented community amenities, including a new resident center that will be constructed during a secondary development period following the initial development period, tot lots and a walking/fitness trail. It is anticipated that the resident center will feature a spacious facility with rooms for social gatherings, a big screen television, an Internet cafe, picnic areas, and a covered patio with tables and chairs.
This project includes:
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC and Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland
Fort Detrick is a U.S. Army Medical Command installation, referred to as MEDCOM, supporting a multi-governmental community that conducts biomedical research and development, medical material management, worldwide communications, and the study of foreign plant pathogens. Walter Reed Army Medical Center is a major medical care, research and teaching center. This facility, which is under the command jurisdiction of MEDCOM, provides the nation's most effective population-based primary and specialty military healthcare for soldiers, other members of the U.S. military, families and retirees in the Washington, DC area. Each branch of the U.S. military is represented among the approximately 7,800 military, federal, and contractor employees assigned there.
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During the four-year initial development period for this privatization project, we will create a new community, New Glen Haven, consisting of 240 junior enlisted apartments and junior officer townhouses, as well as renovate three historical units. Additionally, during this initial development period, we expect to create and renovate communities at Fort Detrick containing, in the aggregate, a junior enlisted housing area, a senior enlisted community, a junior office community for company grade officers, field grade officers and above, consisting of 167 new units, 156 renovated units and 36 existing units, respectively. The amenities we will offer at this base will include sports courts, playgrounds, multipurpose community centers, large interior storage areas and garages or off-street parking.
This project includes:
Fort Eustis and Fort Story, Newport News and Virginia Beach, Virginia
Fort Eustis and Fort Story are Army bases located in Newport News and Virginia Beach, Virginia, respectively, and, as of April 21, 2006, we managed 1,115 housing units in the aggregate at these bases. These strategically located bases on the Atlantic Ocean are home to the Army's Transportation Command. Fort Story is the only Army training area that can conduct joint training on watercraft landings. Over the course of a six-year initial development period for this privatization project, we plan to construct a total of 651 new and replacement units and renovate 473 existing units. The amenities we expect to offer at these bases will include playgrounds, new appliances, sports courts and multipurpose community centers.
This project includes:
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Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range, El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico
Fort Bliss is an Army base located in El Paso, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range is an Army base located near Las Cruces, New Mexico, and as of April 21, 2006, we managed 2,878 family housing units at these bases. Fort Bliss' mission is to train Army soldiers in air defense. One of the oldest Army posts, Fort Bliss is the home of the 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command. White Sands Missile Range provides quality test, evaluation and research services to the Army, and is designated as a DoD major range and test facility. White Sands is the largest overland test range in the U.S. During the six-year initial development period, we expect to deliver 1,959 new homes and renovate 1,178 family housing units across the Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range bases. The project at Fort Bliss includes multiple community centers, swimming pools/spraygrounds, sports courts and playgrounds. There will also be a walking and fitness trail throughout the communities.
This project includes:
Navy Northeast Region ProjectBrunswick, Maine; Kittery, Maine; Newport, Rhode Island; Groton, Connecticut; Saratoga Springs, New York; Long Island, New York; Colts Neck, New Jersey; Lakehurst, New Jersey
The Navy Northeast Region military housing privatization project awarded by the Department of the Navy covers all Navy-owned family housing in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and, as of April 21, 2006, we managed a total of 4,350 end-state housing units under this project. The project involves the construction of high-quality homes, targeted renovation of other homes, the addition of community enhancing facilities and services and community management of these properties. The amenities offered at these bases will include community centers, swimming pools/spraygrounds, sports courts, cross country ski trails, a skating rink, RV/boat storage, pavilions and
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multi-purpose ball fields. The targeted bases, their geographic locations, and the number of units involved per base in this project are as follows:
Base |
Housing Units |
|
---|---|---|
NAS Brunswick (Brunswick, Maine) | 723 | |
NSY Portsmouth (Kittery, Maine) | 223 | |
NAVSTA Newport (Newport, Rhode Island) | 869 | |
NSB New London (Groton, Connecticut) | 1,796 | |
NSU Saratoga Springs (Saratoga Springs, New York) | 200 | |
Mitchel Manor (Long Island, New York) | 250 | |
NWS Earle (Colts Neck, New Jersey) | 89 | |
NAES Lakehurst (Lakehurst, New Jersey) | 114 | |
Total | 4,264 |
This project includes:
Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia
Fort Gordon is an Army base located near Augusta, Georgia. The project consists of 887 end-state housing units. Fort Gordon is the base that oversees the communication responsibilities for the Army. The multi-faceted mission of the US Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon encompasses training, doctrine, force integration and mobilization. The Signal Center conducts specialized instruction for all Signal Regiment Military and the Department of the Army civilian personnel, and provides doctrine and training development support. The mobilization mission is to maintain assigned forces command units in a state of readiness. We were awarded the right to exclusively negotiate an agreement for this project by the DoD in May 2005, and executed a final agreement with the Army to commence operations of the project on May 1, 2006.
This project includes:
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Carlisle Barracks and Picatinny ArsenalCarlisle, Pennsylvania and Dover, New Jersey
Carlisle Barracks, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is home of the U.S. Army War College. The mission of this college is to prepare selected individuals for strategic leadership as it relates to military activity throughout the world. The Picatinny Arsenal, located in Dover, New Jersey, is the only site of its kind. The arsenal contains virtually all of the Army's weapon systems, as well as those of other military branches. We acquired the rights to exclusively negotiate an agreement for this project from American Eagle Communities Northeast, LLC pursuant to an agreement executed in February 2006. On May 1, 2006, we acquired an ownership interest in the project and began property management and maintenance services for the project. As of July 21, 2006, financing was secured for the Carlisle/Picatinny project, and construction and renovation agreements were in the process of being completed to permit the commencement of construction/renovation activities.
This project includes:
Additional Military Housing Privatization Projects and Development Opportunities under Review
In addition to the military housing privatization projects for which we have been selected, we continue to negotiate with the Air Force for a project covering four bases and 2,875 end-state units. Our management team also had under review, as of July 3, 2006, nine additional potential privatization project opportunities. These projects span multiple bases and total, in the aggregate, approximately 22,600 housing units. Individual projects identified as opportunities range from approximately 1,000 to 7,000 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.
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Company Name |
Awarded Projects(1) |
Number of Units |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Actus Lend Lease | 8 | 30,775 | ||
Clark Realty | 10 | 29,045 | ||
Picerne Military Housing | 5 | 17,087 | ||
American Eagle Communities, LLC(2) | 6 | 8,369 | ||
Lincoln Properties | 9 | 28,506 | ||
Hunt Building Corporation | 16 | 18,158 | ||
Equity Residential Properties Trust | 1 | 3,982 | ||
Forest City Enterprises | 2 | 3,606 |
Source: Information reported by the DoD as of June 5, 2006, except that information with respect to American Eagle Communities, LLC has been provided by American Eagle Communities, LLC.
Competitive Advantages
We believe that our business strategy and operating model distinguish us from other owners, operators and acquirors of real estate in a number of ways, including:
Student housing. We believe our student housing properties are modern, state-of-the-art and 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. Typically, we lease our units by the bed as a way of attracting student residents and maximizing our revenue per unit. We strive to create an attractive environment for our residents by providing various attractive amenities, a streamlined bill-payment system and 24-hour maintenance and emergency services.
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Military housing. We have established relationships with nationally recognized firms specializing in residential and military residence design and construction to provide high quality housing and construction services when bidding on privatization projects. We also strive to create not just a home, but an efficient community centered around the military lifestyle. In the performance of obligations under existing projects, we have been committed to ensuring that members of the U.S. military and their families have high quality, safe, attractive and affordable housing. Our management's expertise in community management provides military personnel with an efficient and timely platform to report and service maintenance requests, as well as a convenient turnover process that will help to ensure the availability of homes within a short period of time.
Student Housing. Student housing properties that we currently own had an average occupancy rate of approximately 96.5% for the 2005/2006 academic year as of December 31, 2005. More than 90% of our student housing leases have multiple signatories (students and their guarantor-parents) and are leased on a standard 12-month basis.
Military Housing. Our military housing business generates stable, long-term cash flow with a small capital investment. Military housing privatization projects are long-term in nature, typically carrying a ground lease term of 50-years. The primary source of revenue under the military housing privatization projects is the U.S. military's BAH, which is the cost-of-living stipend distributed monthly by the DoD to members of the U.S. military and which is distributed directly by the U.S. government.
Financing Strategy
We have no restriction in our declaration of trust or bylaws regarding the amount of indebtedness we may incur. Under our line of credit, however, we must maintain a leverage ratio of equal to or less than 65% as of the end of each fiscal quarter through the end of 2005, and 60% as of the end of each fiscal quarter thereafter commencing on March 31, 2006. Our debt level changes as we acquire properties or projects and refinance existing properties. The amount of total indebtedness we decide to
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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 - Non-restricted cash - Short-term investments
Real estate investments, at cost + Intangible assets
As of December 31, 2005, our leverage ratio was approximately 58.6%. These calculations exclude indebtedness under reverse repurchase agreements. We expect that our actual leverage ratio will fluctuate from quarter to quarter within our target debt-to-assets ratio in the range of 45% to 60%. It is possible that our leverage ratio may exceed or fall below our target range for our leverage ratio from time to time.
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. During 2006, we expect to acquire additional student housing properties and development projects through joint venture structures similar to the joint venture terms that we entered into with respect to our Orono, Maine and Bowling Green, Ohio development properties (see disclosure appearing under the section titled "BusinessOur Recent ActivitiesStudent Housing" in Part I, Item 1 of this report).We intend to fund the equity portion of these joint ventures by using funds from our credit facility or from available cash from operations. We may also determine that it is appropriate for the Company to purchase additional student housing properties alone, as opposed to with a joint venture partner, depending upon many factors which may include, but are not limited to, the applicable purchase price, available capital, and projected returns with respect to the property. In addition to utilizing cash from operations and from our line of credit, we may leverage existing student housing properties which are underleveraged or unencumbered by debt to generate cash to fund the purchase of additional student housing properties, provided we comply with the terms of our line of credit. We expect that our primary source of funding for the equity associated with the acquisition of student housing properties and development projects during the next 12 months, whether through a joint venture structures or not, will be our credit facility and the placement of mortgage debt on the assets acquired. We also may finance the acquisition of properties through additional equity securities offerings, including offerings of preferred or common shares or units of our operating partnership.
We also may obtain unsecured and/or secured financing through public and private markets. We may access various sources of capital including banks, financial institutions and institutional investors through lines of credit, bridge loans and other arrangements. We currently have a three-year unsecured $150.0 million revolving line of credit from a syndicate of lenders led by Bank of America, N.A. As of December 31, 2005, we had $36.0 million in outstanding borrowings drawn from this credit facility, which funds were used as financing for acquisitions and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The amount of funds available for future draws under this facility are subject to a borrowing base calculation. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital Resources" in this report.
Our indebtedness 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.
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Line of Credit
In November 2004, after completion of our initial public offering, we obtained a three-year, $150.0 million revolving credit facility from a syndicate of lenders for which Bank of America, N.A. serves as the Administrative Agent. We amended the credit facility in August 2005 to, among other things, modify certain financial covenants and the interest rates applicable to borrowing under the credit facility. Availability under the credit facility as of December 31, 2005 was limited to a borrowing base amount equal to the sum of 60% of the value of an unencumbered asset pool as of the end of the previous quarter (which in no event may contain fewer than five student housing properties) and 50% of the annualized value of our cash flow from our management, development and construction/renovation fees received in connection with military housing projects and from the management of student housing properties in the previous quarter, provided that the total cash flow attributable to annualized management fees did not exceed 50% of the borrowing base. As of December 31, 2005, we had availability under the credit facility equal to $150.0 million, of which $36.0 million in borrowings was outstanding, and bearing interest at a rate of 6.50%. As of December 31, 2005, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. As of March 31, 2006, we had availability under the credit facility equal to $150.0 million, of which $75.0 million was outstanding, and bearing interest at a Eurodollar rate based on 30-day LIBOR, 60-day LIBOR and 90-day LIBOR ranging from 4.68% to 4.92%, plus 2.125%, resulting in total interest rates ranging from 6.81% to 7.05%. As of March 31, 2006, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. Advances under the credit facility bear interest, at the election of the borrower, at a Eurodollar rate based on LIBOR or a base rate based on the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., plus a rate ranging from 1.625% to 2.375% for Eurodollar rate loans or 0.75% to 1.75% for base rate loans, which we refer to in this report as the "Applicable Rate." The Applicable Rate is determined by the ratio of total debt to the total asset value of GMH Communities Trust, as defined in the credit facility. The credit facility also requires that we maintain certain corporate level financial covenants, which include that we:
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The credit facility also contains an affirmative covenant requiring that we provide audited financial statements within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year. As a result of the delay in the filing of this report, we have obtained a waiver of this covenant from the lender syndicate that permits us to deliver our audited financial statements for the 2005 fiscal year no later than August 15, 2006.
Our Operating Partnership
We own our properties and conduct substantially all of our business through our operating partnership, GMH Communities, LP, and its subsidiaries. In connection with the closing of our initial public offering in November 2004, GMH Communities, LP became our operating partnership as a result of the following transactions and structural changes:
Holders of limited partnership units of our operating partnership, other than us, will, after a one-year holding period, subject to earlier redemption in certain circumstances, be able to redeem their limited partnership units for our common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustments for
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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 and the issuance of the warrant, 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, at its option:
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, which represented a 20.972% economic interest in our operating partnership immediately prior to our initial public offering. As of April 1, 2006, the remaining portion of the warrant was exercisable for up to 6,085,180 units of limited partnership interest of the operating partnership or common shares, at an exercise price of $8.22 per unit or common share. 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. We have agreed to register for resale all of the common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant, including common shares that may be issuable upon redemption of units of limited partnership interest of the operating partnership issued 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
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and transferees. Among other things, these restrictions require that neither we nor our operating partnership, without Vornado's consent, hold, directly or indirectly:
In addition, these restrictions require that neither we nor our operating partnership, without Vornado's consent, directly or indirectly:
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.
These restrictions were modified in connection with the redemption of Vornado's former Class B limited partnership interests in our operating partnership to permit us to provide consulting services to an affiliate of Gary M. Holloway, Sr. in connection with property management services the affiliate provides for student housing properties.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
In connection with our formation transactions, the outstanding interests of GMH Military Housing, LLC were transferred to our operating partnership. Upon completion of our initial public offering, we made an election to treat the entity as a corporation and as a taxable REIT subsidiary. We formed College Park Management TRS, Inc. on September 15, 2004, and made an election on October 28, 2004 to have the entity treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. GMH Military Housing, LLC manages 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. College Park Management TRS, Inc. provides property management services to certain third party owners of student housing properties, including colleges, universities and other private owners. On January 1, 2006, the interests in both of GMH Military Housing, LLC and College Park Management TRS, Inc. were transferred to GMH Communities TRS, Inc., a taxable REIT subsidiary that is wholly owned by our operating partnership. 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.
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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 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
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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 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, 2005, none of our owned properties had any known material environmental issues.
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.
Depreciation
Generally, the federal tax basis for our properties used to determine depreciation for federal income tax purposes will be our acquisition costs for such properties. To the extent properties are acquired with units of our operating partnership or its subsidiaries, we will acquire a carryover basis in the properties. For federal income tax purposes, depreciation with respect to the real property components of our properties, other than land, generally will be computed using the straight-line method over a useful life of 27.5 years, for a depreciation rate of 3.63% per year.
Employees
As of December 31, 2005, the student housing business employed 507 full-time employees and 737 part-time employees, the military housing business employed 411 full-time employees and seven part-time employees, and we employed in our corporate staff 119 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, 2005, five of our student housing employees were members of an organized labor union, and we were in the process of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with 36 of our military housing employees, which if agreed upon, could lead to the unionization of these employees.
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Risks Relating to Our Business and Growth Strategy
Our internal control over financial reporting may not be sufficient to ensure timely and reliable financial information.
As discussed under Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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 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. In connection with the Audit Committee's investigation, since the end of fiscal 2005, the Company has adopted, and is in the process, of implementing various measures (as identified in Item 9A of this report) in connection with the Company's ongoing efforts to improve its internal control processes and corporate governance. There can be no assurance that these improvements will adequately address the identified control weaknesses prior to the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2006 or beyond that date, or that further improvements will not be required.
The Company's growth could continue to place stress on its 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.
Pending class action securities litigation or the commencement of an investigation by the SEC could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
There have been several class action complaints filed against the Company and our chief executive officer and former chief financial officer. These complaints allege, among other things, that the defendants committed securities fraud in connection with the offer, purchase and sale of the Company's common shares between October 28, 2004 and March 10, 2006. As of the filing of this report, a class has not been certified by the court and a motion to appoint a lead plaintiff is expected to be filed. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain, and although the Company will defend itself against the claims made in these lawsuits, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. For a discussion of this pending litigation, see Part I, Item 3 of this report titled "Legal Proceedings." Costs associated with defending this securities litigation, or with the payment of any judgments in or settlements of such litigation, could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, after we alerted the SEC of the 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.
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The activities of the Special Committee of our Board of Trustees in evaluating strategic and financial alternatives, including any potential offer to acquire the Company, could cause us to incur significant costs and divert management's attention from our business, which could materially affect our results of operations.
Our Board of Trustees has formed a Special Committee to consider and analyze strategic and financial alternatives, including, but not limited potential offers to acquire the Company by third parties. The Special Committee has engaged independent financial advisors and legal counsel to support its activities. In the course of evaluating these strategic and financial alternatives, we, through the Special Committee, will incur significant fees and expenses which could materially affect our results of operations. In addition, our management's attention could be diverted from our normal operations to respond to the Special Committee's requests or instructions regarding any strategic and financial alternatives, which could adversely impact our ability to operate our business.
We commenced operations through our operating partnership in 2004, have a limited history of operating and owning our student housing properties and 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 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 all of our student housing properties and investments in military housing privatization projects we own as of December 31, 2005 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. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient net income from operations to make distributions to our shareholders.
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, 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 additional properties and investments in privatization projects 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 on a rapid basis.
As a result of this rapid growth of our properties 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 military housing privatization projects into our portfolio and manage any future acquisitions of additional student housing properties or military housing privatization projects 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.
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Since our initial public offering, our cash flow from operations has been insufficient to fund our dividend distributions to our shareholders, and we expect it to continue to be so for some period in the future. Therefore, we expect to borrow funds in order to make these dividend distributions.
Since completion of our initial public offering, we have used borrowings under our credit facility to pay a portion of dividend distributions to our shareholders. We expect that for some period in the future, our cash flow from operations will continue to be insufficient to fund our distributions to shareholders. As a result, we expect to rely on third-party debt financing, including funds from our credit facility, in order to fund a portion of our dividend distributions until our cash flow from operations are sufficient to fund dividend distributions declared by our board of trustees. Since we obtained our line of credit, there have been several instances of noncompliance with restrictive covenants under the facility, including the covenant relating to distributions to shareholders in excess of the specified percentage of our funds from operations. In the past, we have received waivers from the syndicate lenders for these instances of our noncompliance, however, there can be no assurance that we will not require an additional waiver relating to this covenant or waivers for other restrictive covenants under the credit facility and that the syndicate lenders will approve such waivers. If we are unable to receive waivers with respect to our noncompliance with restrictive covenants under the credit facility, then we will be unable to borrow funds from the line of credit that may be needed to fund our dividend distributions to our shareholders at historical levels. Any additional indebtedness that we incur with respect to payment of our dividend distributions will increase our leverage and 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. Approximately 59% of our distributions for the year ending December 31, 2005 represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
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, we will invest primarily in real estate. We 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.
If we are unable to successfully perform our obligations under our current student housing property management agreements and current military housing privatization projects, our ability to execute our business plan and our operating results could be adversely affected.
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.
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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. or any of its permitted transferees under the warrant that have made a REIT election 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.
Our debt service obligations may have a negative impact on our ability to make dividend distributions to our shareholders, pursue our business plan and maintain our REIT status, and our management and board of trustees have discretion to increase the amount of our outstanding debt at any time without approval of our shareholders.
We do not have a policy limiting the amount of debt that we may incur, although we have established 45% to 60% as our target leverage ratio. Accordingly, our management and board of trustees have discretion to increase the amount of our outstanding debt at any time without approval by our shareholders. As of December 31, 2005, our total indebtedness was approximately $728.1 million, and we may incur additional debt to finance future acquisition and investment activities. Payments of principal and interest on borrowings could leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our student housing properties and military housing privatization projects or to pay the dividend distributions currently contemplated or necessary to maintain our REIT qualification.
If we were to default on our secured debt or debt under our credit facility in the future, the loss of any property securing the debt could adversely affect our business or result in the debt under our credit facility being immediately due and payable.
A substantial portion of our debt is secured by first mortgages on our properties. However, we also have a $150.0 million unsecured credit facility. 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 securing the debt or result in our debt obligations under our credit 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.
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.
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 engage in the development and construction of student housing properties. These activities may include the following risks:
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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 are also 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. 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 the levels we expect in the near 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. 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.
Our predecessor entities have a history of incurring losses, and we may incur losses in the future.
For the period from January 1, 2004 through November 1, 2004, which is the date before we acquired the assets of our predecessor entities in connection with the closing of our initial public offering on November 2, 2004, our predecessor entities experienced a net loss of $37.3 million. This loss resulted principally from compensation expenses that were attributed to us as a result of profits interests payments and employee bonuses paid by Gary M. Holloway, Sr. in connection with our initial public offering. If our student housing and military housing businesses do not generate sufficient revenue from operations to maintain profitability, we may be unable to make dividend distributions to our shareholders.
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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.
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
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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 or 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.
We may be unable to successfully acquire and manage student housing properties on favorable terms.
Our future growth is dependent upon our ability to successfully acquire new properties on favorable terms. As we acquire 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. There can be no assurance that future acquisition opportunities will be available to us on terms that meet our investment criteria 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:
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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 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, 2005, we had $692.1 million in aggregate principal amount of debt secured by our properties. In general, mortgage debt is non-recourse to our 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 fraud. If one or more of the borrowers under these loans commits the acts described above, the lenders could have recourse against us for the full amount of the mortgage debt outstanding under their loans, which could adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
Specific Risks Related to our Military Housing Business
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 Base Realignment and Closure, or 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. 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, the BRAC Commission sent its report to the President regarding its findings and recommendations with respect to the DoD's initial report, and 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
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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.
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 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 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
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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.
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 Centex Construction Company, LLC, The Benham Companies, LLC, Jeffrey M. Brown Associates, Inc. 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.
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 June 5, 2006, the award of 73 military housing privatization projects to private owners, and the future award of an additional 37 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
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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, the appropriation each year will occur on a timely basis, or 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.
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. 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 will suffer.
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 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
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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. If we do not receive final approval on the award of the project from the U.S. military branch or Congress, 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. For example, based upon the solicitation process outlined by the Air Force, we anticipate that by the time of the projected closing for the Air Force privatization project, for which we are currently in the solicitation process, we will have spent approximately $3.5 million in costs, some or all of which we may not recover if we do not receive final approval from the Air Force on the project. 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:
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. Thus, 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 shares might receive a premium for their shares over the then current market price of our common shares.
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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 liability resulting from:
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 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 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 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. Instead, 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 of more than 7.1% in number or value, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common shares.
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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 December 31, 2005, Mr. Holloway beneficially owned 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 a 2.5% limited partnership interest 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 of limited partnership interest in, or 10.2%, of our operating partnership, 2,517,247 of our common shares, or 6.1% of GMH Communities Trust, as of May 2, 2006. 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 our shareholders but may have adverse tax consequences to the limited partners in our operating partnership.
Certain of our executive officers and trustees may have conflicts of interest as a result of their profits interests in a student housing property that we currently have under management and in which Gary M. Holloway, Sr. owns a 20% interest.
Mr. Holloway and certain of our other executive officers, including Bruce F. Robinson, who is also one of our trustees, may experience conflicts of interest with respect to profits interests that they currently hold in a student housing property, The Commons, located near Auburn University in Alabama and for which we currently provide management consulting services. Mr. Holloway owns a 20% equity interest in the limited partnership that, through a joint venture, owns The Commons, and certain of our executive officers and their affiliates collectively hold profits interests totaling 26.7% of the gain, if any, realized by Mr. Holloway upon sale of the property. The conflicts of interest would adversely affect our business to the extent that our trustees' and executive officers' interests in this property diverge from the interests of GMH Communities Trust. Also, Mr. Holloway, Mr. Robinson and our other executive officers who hold a profits interest in the property may have conflicts of interest with regard to the terms under the consulting agreement that covers The Commons.
Gary M. Holloway, Sr. may have conflicts of interest as a result of his ownership of an entity that provides services to us, 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 and engages in the management of certain student housing properties. 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.
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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 December 31, 2005, Mr. Holloway beneficially owned 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 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 prospectus, 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., from which Vornado has purchased 6,666,667 units of limited partnership in our operating partnership as of January 1, 2006. 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 recent follow-on offering of common shares completed on October 4, 2005. 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 to serve on our board of trustees, 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.
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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, which 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 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.
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.
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We depend on the business relationships and experience of Gary M. Holloway, Sr., 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 we were to lose Mr. Holloway, 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 agreements with certain 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 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 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 54.8% of the total partnership interests in our operating partnership as of December 31, 2005. 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.
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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 targeted 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. We anticipate that acquisitions and developments will largely be financed through externally generated funds such as borrowings under credit facilities and other secured and unsecured debt financing and from issuances of equity securities. Because we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, 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 will be limited. Accordingly, if 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 will be 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 2005, capitalization rates have declined, and may continue to decline in the future. We, therefore, may be unable to continue 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.
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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.
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:
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.
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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 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 constantly are 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
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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.
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. In addition, the market price of our common shares experienced a significant decrease after the public announcement of the investigation by the Company's Audit Committee, the identification of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, as more fully described in Item 9A of this report, and the Company's need to lower guidance relating to results of operations for 2005 and withdrawal of previously issued 2006 guidance. These broad price fluctuations could continue to negatively affect the market valuation of our common shares for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may continue to 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.
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:
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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 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 (including, as of December 31, 2005, up to 31,627,317 common shares issuable upon the conversion of units of our operating partnership), or the perception that these sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common shares. Vornado Realty L.P., Vornado CCA Gainesville, LLC and FW Military Housing LLC have registration rights with respect to common shares issuable upon redemption of limited partnership units in our operating partnership which rights require that we register these shares for resale. Under the terms of our operating partnership agreement, the common shares issuable upon redemption of units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership will be registered for resale. 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 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 relating to our ability to provide timely and accurate financial statements, 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, as well as the potential for continued negative market reaction to the presence of material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over
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financial reporting and the delay in filing of this and other periodic reports. 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. In addition, the filing of restatements relating to our financial statements for prior periods, or any delays in the filing of our future quarterly and annual reports, most likely would result in increased negative market perception regarding the Company and, therefore, adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Tax Risks Associated with Our Status as a REIT
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:
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.
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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 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:
In addition, with respect to our ability to access cash borrowings under our credit facility, we have experienced several instances of noncompliance with restrictive covenants under the facility since we first obtained the line of credit in November 2004, including noncompliance with the covenant relating to distributions to shareholders in excess of the specified percentage of our funds from operations. In the past, we have received waivers from the syndicate lenders for these instances of our noncompliance, however, there can be no assurance that we will not require an additional waiver relating to this covenant or waivers for other restrictive covenants under the credit facility and that the syndicate lenders will approve such waivers in the future. If we are unable to receive waivers with respect to our noncompliance with restrictive covenants under the credit facility, then we will be unable to borrow funds from the line of credit that may be needed to fund future capital needs. 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:
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
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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 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 reduces 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 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
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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 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.
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Properties we own. The 54 student housing properties that we owned as of December 31, 2005 consisted of 10,236 units containing 33,340 beds that were located near 42 colleges and universities in 24 states, and had an average occupancy level of 95.6%. The following table presents information regarding the 54 student housing properties, and one undeveloped parcel of land and three partially developed parcels of land that we owned as of December 31, 2005:
Property Name |
Year Built/ Renovated |
Primary University Served |
Occupancy Rate(1) |
Number of Units(1) |
Number of Beds(1) |
Revenues(2) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|||||||
Blanton Common | 2005 | Valdosta State University | 96.5 | % | 204 | 596 | $ | 1,061 | |||||
Campus ClubGainesville | 1997 | University of Florida | 88.3 | 252 | 924 | 4,425 | |||||||
Campus ClubStatesboro | 2003 | Georgia Southern University | 98.1 | 276 | 984 | 5,053 | |||||||
Campus Connection(3) | 1998 | University of IllinoisUrbana/Champaign | 97.7 | 270 | 864 | 4,498 | |||||||
Campus ConnectionPhase II(3) | N/A | University of IllinoisUrbana/Champaign | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||
Campus Ridge Apartments(4) | 2000 | East Tennessee State University | 93.8 | 132 | 528 | 825 | |||||||
Campus Ridge ApartmentsPhase II(4) | N/A | East Tennessee State University | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||
Campus Walk | 2001 | University of Mississippi | 95.1 | 108 | 432 | 2,003 | |||||||
Campus Walk | 1990 | University of North CarolinaWilmington | 97.9 | 289 | 290 | 498 | |||||||
Chapel Ridge | 2003 | University of North CarolinaChapel Hill | 99.8 | 180 | 544 | 3,544 | |||||||
Chapel View | 1986 | University of North CarolinaChapel Hill | 76.0 | 224 | 358 | 872 | |||||||
Campus Heights | 2001 | University of AlabamaBirmingham | 98.7 | 176 | 528 | 2,523 | |||||||
Fields | 1999 | University of IllinoisUrbana/Champaign | 94.9 | 192 | 588 | 2,931 | |||||||
GrandMarc at Seven Corners | 2000 | University of Minnesota | 99.2 | 183 | 370 | 2,736 | |||||||
GrandMarc at University Village | 2001 | University of CaliforniaRiverside | 93.9 | 212 | 824 | 6,466 | |||||||
Nittany Crossing | 1996 | Pennsylvania State University | 99.3 | 204 | 684 | 2,664 | |||||||
Orchard Trails(5) | N/A | University of Maine | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||
Pegasus Connection | 2000 | University of Central Florida | 98.5 | 312 | 930 | 1,335 | |||||||
Pirate's Cove | 2000 | East Carolina University | 97.9 | 264 | 1,056 | 4,891 | |||||||
Seminole Suites | 2004 | Florida State University | 94.5 | 264 | 924 | 2,429 | |||||||
South View Apartments | 1998 | James Madison University | 99.4 | 240 | 960 | 2,064 | |||||||
State College Park | 1991 | Pennsylvania State University | 95.3 | 196 | 752 | 2,457 | |||||||
Stone Gate Apartments | 2000 | James Madison University | 99.4 | 168 | 672 | 1,484 | |||||||
The Centre | 2004 | Western Michigan University | 91.9 | 232 | 700 | 3,312 | |||||||
The Commons | 1991 | James Madison University | 98.3 | 132 | 528 | 865 | |||||||
The Edge I | 1998 | University of North CarolinaCharlotte | 99.2 | 96 | 384 | 858 | |||||||
The Edge II | 1999 | University of North CarolinaCharlotte | 97.9 | 84 | 336 | 836 | |||||||
The Enclave | 2002 | Bowling Green State University | 99.6 | 120 | 480 | 1,468 | |||||||
The EnclavePhase II(5) | N/A | Bowling Green State University | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||
The Highlands | 2004 | University of NevadaReno | 93.2 | 216 | 732 | 3,618 | |||||||
The Ridge | 2002 | West Virginia University | 99.8 | 168 | 644 | 2,210 | |||||||
The Summit | 2003 | Minnesota State UniversityMankato | 97.6 | 192 | 672 | 3,273 | |||||||
The Tower @ 3rd | 1973 | University of IllinoisUrbana/Champaign | 92.3 | 145 | 289 | 924 | |||||||
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The Verge | 2004 | California State Sacramento | 90.5 | 288 | 792 | 3,830 | |||||||
The View | 2003 | University of Nebraska | 86.9 | 156 | 588 | 1,524 | |||||||
University Court | 2001 | Michigan State University | 90.5 | 138 | 516 | 2,223 | |||||||
University Crescent | 1999 | Louisiana State University | 99.5 | 192 | 660 | 3,070 | |||||||
University Crossing | 1997 | University of Kansas | 90.1 | 229 | 700 | 1,184 | |||||||
University Crossings | 1929/2003 | Drexel University & University of Pennsylvania | 94.9 | 260 | 1,026 | 1,502 | |||||||
University Edge | 2003 | University of Southern Mississippi | 98.9 | 156 | 552 | 2,536 | |||||||
University Estates | 2001 | Ball State University | 89.1 | 144 | 552 | 1,761 | |||||||
University Gables | 2001 | Middle Tennessee State University | 96.9 | 180 | 648 | 2,732 | |||||||
University Glades | 2000 | University of Florida | 97.2 | 120 | 432 | 2,081 | |||||||
University Greens | 1999 | University of Oklahoma | 96.7 | 156 | 516 | 2,160 | |||||||
University Heights | 1999 | University of Tennessee | 97.0 | 204 | 636 | 2,521 | |||||||
University Lodge | 2002 | University of Wyoming | 97.3 | 121 | 481 | 2,211 | |||||||
University Manor | 2002 | East Carolina University | 93.7 | 168 | 600 | 2,452 | |||||||
University Meadows | 2001 | Central Michigan University | 88.3 | 184 | 616 | 621 | |||||||
University Mills | 2002 | University of Northern Iowa | 99.0 | 121 | 481 | 1,894 | |||||||
University Oaks | 2004 | University of South Carolina | 99.4 | 181 | 662 | 3,452 | |||||||
University Pines | 2001 | Georgia Southern University | 97.3 | 144 | 552 | 2,578 | |||||||
University Place | 2003 | University of Virginia | 95.3 | 144 | 528 | 2,191 | |||||||
University Pointe | 2004 | Texas Tech University | 96.5 | 204 | 682 | 3,576 | |||||||
University Trails | 2003 | Texas Tech University | 93.3 | 240 | 684 | 3,335 | |||||||
University Walk | 2002 | University of North CarolinaCharlotte | 99.6 | 120 | 480 | 2,572 | |||||||
Uptown | 2004 | University of North Texas | 95.6 | 180 | 528 | 3,183 | |||||||
Willow Tree Apartments | 1968 | University of Michigan | 99.0 | 312 | 572 | 3,123 | |||||||
Willow Tree Towers | 1974 | University of Michigan | 96.0 | 163 | 283 | 1,414 | |||||||
Total | 10,236 | 33,340 | $ | 131,849 |
In addition to the student housing properties that we owned as of December 31, 2005, as listed above, we also acquired seven student housing properties from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006 for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $119.4 million. These properties are set forth in the table below.
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Property Name |
Year Built/ Renovated |
Primary University Served |
Number of Units |
Number of Beds |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Village | 1979/2006 | California State UniversitySacramento | 250 | 394 | ||||
Jacob Heights | 2004 | Minnesota State University | 42 | 162 | ||||
The Commons on Oak | 1995 | University of Oklahoma | 254 | 780 | ||||
The Club | 1989/2001 | University of Georgia | 120 | 480 | ||||
Brookstone Village | 1994 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | 124 | 238 | ||||
Lion's Crossing | 1996 | Pennsylvania State University | 204 | 696 | ||||
College Park-Stadium Suites | 2004 | University of South Carolina | 264 | 924 |
Properties we have under contract and a non-binding letter of intent. As of July 1, 2006, we had agreements to purchase four additional student housing properties containing a total of 503 units and 1,524 beds, a portfolio that contains 13 student housing properties consisting of a total of 2,562 units and 8,130 beds, and eight undeveloped parcels of land for the development of four future student housing properties. We also have entered into non-binding letters of intent to acquire one undeveloped parcel of land. In the aggregate, these properties are located near 21 colleges and universities in 18 states. These acquisitions are subject to certain conditions, and we cannot assure that we will be successful in acquiring these properties. As discussed under the section of this report titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," we expect to acquire and develop additional student housing properties during 2006 primarily through a joint venture structure.
Properties we manage for others. We manage each of the student properties we own. As of December 31, 2005, we also managed or provided consulting services for 18 student housing properties owned by others, containing a total of 4,222 units and 13,365 beds, including 455 units and 1,938 beds that are currently under construction.
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As of December 31, 2005, we managed 13 of these student housing properties owned by others through one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries. The following table presents information regarding the 13 student housing properties that we, through a taxable REIT subsidiary of our operating partnership, managed for others as of December 31, 2005:
Property Name |
Year Built |
Primary University Served |
Occupancy Rate(1) |
Number of Units(1) |
Number of Beds(1) |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Campus Connection | 2000 | University of North CarolinaCharlotte | 72.5 | % | 158 | 576 | |||||
College ParkBay Crest Apartments(2) |
1963 |
California State UniversityLong Beach |
97.7 |
237 |
878 |
||||||
College ParkAthens |
1989 |
University of Georgia |
96.4 |
154 |
495 |
||||||
College ParkWolf Creek Apartments(3) |
2001 |
North Carolina State University |
94.7 |
216 |
768 |
||||||
College Park at State(2) |
1985 |
Columbia College |
100.0 |
330 |
887 |
||||||
Magnolia Park(4) |
N/A |
Georgia College and State University |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||
Nittany Pointe |
2000 |
Pennsylvania State UniversityAltoona |
95.5 |
156 |
624 |
||||||
Pegasus Landing |
1999 |
University of Central Florida |
96.6 |
744 |
2,532 |
||||||
Pegasus Pointe |
1999 |
University of Central Florida |
96.3 |
432 |
1,224 |
||||||
Scott Village |
2003 |
University of NebraskaOmaha |
100.0 |
120 |
480 |
||||||
The Edge at Avenue North(5) |
N/A |
Temple University |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||
The Village at West Chester |
2004 |
West Chester University |
100.0 |
131 |
524 |
||||||
University Hall |
2004 |
West Chester University |
97.0 |
88 |
265 |
||||||
Total | 2,766 | 9,253 | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2005, we also provided consulting services to GMH Capital Partners Asset Services, L.P., an affiliate of Gary M. Holloway, Sr., with respect to the following five student housing properties. Our operating partnership had entered into a consulting agreement with one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries to provide these property management consulting services for these five student housing properties in exchange for consulting fees equal to 80% of the amount of net management fees
71
the GMH Capital Partners Asset Services, L.P. receives from the property owners. We believe that the consulting fees we receive reflect the fair value of the services we provide.
Property Name |
Year Built Renovated |
Primary University Served |
Occupancy Rate(1) |
Number of Units(1) |
Number of Beds(1) |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Artists' Residence(2) | 2001 | Massachusetts College of Art | 99.6 | % | 90 | 310 | |||||
The Commons(2)(3) |
1990 |
Auburn University |
85.7 |
156 |
308 |
||||||
The Edge at 42nd Street(4) |
1968 |
University of South Florida |
27.9 |
415 |
818 |
||||||
Scott Residence Hall and Conference Center(2) |
2000 |
University of NebraskaOmaha |
100.0 |
50 |
168 |
||||||
University Towers(2) |
1966 |
San Diego State University |
99.3 |
290 |
570 |
||||||
Total |
1,001 |
2,174 |
|||||||||
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, 2005, 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.
On April 5, 2006, the Company, Gary M. Holloway Sr., our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bradley W. Harris, our former Chief Financial Officer, were named as defendants in a class action complaint filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, or the Court. The complaint provides that the Plaintiff has filed a federal class action on behalf of purchasers of the publicly traded securities of the Company between October 28, 2004 and March 10, 2006, referred to as the Class Period, seeking to pursue remedies under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Plaintiff alleges that defendants issued a series of false and misleading financial results regarding the Company to the market during the Class Period, and more specifically, failed to disclose: (1) that the Company's earnings, net income and revenues were materially inflated and expenses were materially understated; (2) that the Company's funds from operations were materially inflated; (3) that the Company lacked adequate internal controls; (4) that the Company's reported financial results were in violation of generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP; and (5) that as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial results were materially inflated at all relevant times. Plaintiff alleges claims under Section 11 of the Securities Act with respect to all of the defendants; Section 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act with respect to the Company; Section 15 of the Securities Act with respect to Mr. Holloway and Mr. Harris; Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the
72
Exchange Act with respect to all of the defendants; and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Mr. Holloway and Mr. Harris.
On April 11, 2006, April 20, 2006, April 27, 2006 and May 15, 2006, four additional class action complaints were filed with the Court against the defendants by separate law firms, and additional complaints may be filed in the near future until a class has been certified by the Court and a lead plaintiff has been named. Each of these additional filed complaints alleges the same claims against the defendants as described above with respect to the complaint filed on April 5, 2006, except that the complaint filed on April 20, 2006 restricts the class period to purchasers of the publicly traded securities of the Company to the time period between May 5, 2005 and March 10, 2006.
As of the date of this report, a class has not been certified and a motion to appoint a lead plaintiff is expected to be filed. Accordingly, the defendants have not yet responded to these complaints. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain, and while the Company believes that it has valid defenses to Plaintiff's claims and intends to defend the class action lawsuit vigorously, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. An adverse outcome could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements and results of operations.
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, 2005.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The names, ages and positions held by our executive officers as of June 30, 2006 are as follows:
Name |
Age |
Title |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Gary M. Holloway, Sr. | 50 | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Bruce F. Robinson | 50 | President of Military Housing Business and Trustee | ||
John DeRiggi | 39 | President of Student Housing Business and Chief Investment Officer | ||
Dennis J. O'Leary | 58 | Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
Joseph M. Macchione | 40 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
All executive officers are elected by the Board of Trustees to serve in their respective capacities until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Mr. O'Leary was appointed as our Interim Chief Financial Officer on March 31, 2006, upon our termination of Bradley W. Harris, our former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. J. Patrick O'Grady commenced employment as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective as of July 1, 2006, at which time Mr. O'Leary became an Executive Vice President and maintained his position as principal financial officer. In addition, on December 31, 2005, Joseph M. Coyle, our former President of the Student Housing Business, resigned from his position with the Company and, on January 1, 2006, entered into a consulting arrangement pursuant to which he would provide consulting services to the Company for an initial term of 17 months. Effective June 26, 2006, Miles H. Orth, III resigned from his position as Executive Vice President for the Student Housing Business, a position that he had held since January 1, 2006.
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Gary M. Holloway, Sr. is our chairman, president and chief executive officer. Since 1985 and prior to our initial public offering, Mr. Holloway founded and operated GMH Associates, our predecessor entities and other affiliated entities, as a fully integrated and diverse real estate company with divisions specializing in the student and military housing industries, as well as the commercial real estate and investment services sectors. Under Mr. Holloway's direction, GMH Associates has acquired, built, managed and expanded residential and commercial properties throughout the U.S. since its inception. Prior to the formation of GMH Associates, Mr. Holloway was involved in various aspects of the real estate industry. He served as chief financial officer for the Holloway Corporation, a closely held business that specialized in residential and senior housing developments, and began his career with Touche Ross & Co., Certified Public Accountants where he provided accounting and tax services to real estate clients.
Bruce F. Robinson is president of our military housing division, GMH Military Housing, a military housing company which provides development, management, and construction/renovation services for family housing located on military bases throughout the United States. In addition, he manages our military joint venture and partner relationships. Prior to joining the military division, Mr. Robinson directed GMH Capital Partners, LP, an international corporate real estate company. During his tenure at the company, which began in 1986, he has been a key participant in the formation and operation of all entity structures as well as financing issues, due diligence and global planning. Prior to joining GMH Associates, he was a senior tax manager for Touche Ross & Co., Certified Public Accountants where he specialized in real estate syndication, partnerships and corporate acquisitions.
John DeRiggi is president of our student housing business and chief investment officer. Mr. DeRiggi was promoted to the position of president of our student housing business in June 2006, from his prior position as Executive Vice President. As president of our student housing business, Mr. DeRiggi is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the student housing division, including management and operations. As chief investment officer, Mr. DeRiggi will continue to be responsible for capital markets activities for GMH Communities Trust, including asset level financing. In his prior position as Executive Vice President, Mr. DeRiggi was responsible for acquisition of student housing assets, and development of new student housing properties. Previously, Mr. DeRiggi was senior vice president of GMH Capital Partners, LP, with direct oversight of the Corporate Services Group, the Investment Services Group, and portfolio/data administration. Previously, Mr. DeRiggi was a member of GMH Associates' Investment Acquisition Group, where he was responsible for structuring the acquisition of residential and commercial properties for the Company's investment accounts. Prior to joining GMH Associates in 1997, Mr. DeRiggi was an investment property specialist with the Tampa, Florida office of the Grubb & Ellis Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the State University of New York and an MBA with distinction from Hofstra University.
Dennis J. O'Leary was appointed our interim Chief Financial Officer on March 31, 2006. Mr. O'Leary has been a member of our Board of Trustees since the Company's initial public offering in October 2004, and an independent consultant and a private investor since January 2004, working as a consultant to GMH Communities Trust and its predecessor entities on financial, structuring and compensation matters since March 2004. He was a partner with Ernst & Young LLP during 2002 and 2003, heading up the firm's New York RegionInsurance Tax Practice. From 1985 to 2001, Mr. O'Leary was a senior vice president with Reliance Group Holdings, Inc., where he was responsible for worldwide tax planning. Prior to that time, he was a partner with Touche Ross & Co, Certified Public Accountants. Mr. O'Leary received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from LaSalle University in 1970 and an MBA in accounting and finance from Temple University in 1973. He became a certified public accountant in 1974.
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Joseph M. Macchione is executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. Mr. Macchione oversees all legal matters for GMH Communities Trust, including its student housing and military housing divisions. Before joining GMH Associates in 2001, Mr. Macchione practiced at the law firms of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll LLP, where his legal practice focused on commercial real estate, construction, environmental and telecommunications law matters. Mr. Macchione is an Executive Committee Member of the Real Property Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Macchione received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Temple University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Temple University.
75
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common shares of beneficial interest trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GCT." The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange for the partial fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2004 during which we were listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and for each quarter of our year ended December 31, 2005.
2004 |
Low |
High |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fourth Quarter (October 28, 2004 through December 31, 2004) | $ | 12.00 | $ | 14.15 |
2005 |
Low |
High |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Quarter | $ | 11.30 | $ | 14.00 | ||
Second Quarter | $ | 11.34 | $ | 14.59 | ||
Third Quarter | $ | 13.64 | $ | 15.65 | ||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 14.10 | $ | 15.89 |
The number of holders of record of our shares was 23 as of March 31, 2006. This number does not include shareholders whose shares are held of record by a brokerage house or clearing agency, but does include any such brokerage house or clearing agency as one record holder.
Dividend Policy and Distributions
We intend to pay regular quarterly distributions to our shareholders. Federal income tax law requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income, including capital gains. We anticipate that our estimated cash available for distribution will exceed the annual distribution requirements applicable to REITs. However, under some circumstances, we may be required to pay distributions in excess of cash available for distribution in order to meet these distribution requirements and we may need to borrow funds to pay some distributions.
Our ability to fund these distributions will depend, in part, upon our receipt of cash flow from our student housing properties, our management contracts regarding student housing properties owned by others, from management, construction/renovation and development fees and preferred equity returns under our military housing projects, and the continued successful leasing of our student housing portfolio and the acquisition of additional student housing properties and military housing projects. The timing and amount of our anticipated cash flows is inherently uncertain. To the extent these sources are insufficient, we intend to fund these distributions with our working capital or borrowings under our three-year $150.0 million revolving line of credit with a consortium of lenders. For a discussion of risks relating to our ability to obtain borrowings under our credit facility, see the risk factor titled "Since our initial public offering, our cash flow from operations has been insufficient to fund our dividend distributions to our shareholders, and we expect it to continue to be so for some period in the future. Therefore, we expect to borrow funds in order to make these dividend distributions" in the section titled "Risk Factors" under Item 1A of this report. Availability under this credit facility is limited to a borrowing base amount equal to the sum of 60% of the value of an unencumbered asset pool (which in no event may contain fewer than five student housing properties) and 50% of the annualized value of the Company's cash flow from the management, development and construction/renovation fees received in connection with military housing projects and from the management of student housing properties in the previous
76
quarter, provided that the total cash flow attributable to annualized management fees did not exceed 50% of the borrowing base. As of December 31, 2005, we had $36.0 million in funds drawn from the credit facility to use for interim acquisition financing and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See also "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital Resources" under Part II, Item 7 of this report. In addition, our revolving credit facility contains covenants that restrict our ability to pay distributions or other amounts to our shareholders unless certain tests are satisfied and also contains certain provisions restricting or limiting our ability to draw funds under the facility, including, among other things:
Distributions made by us will be authorized and determined by our board of trustees out of funds legally available therefor and will be dependent upon a number of factors, including restrictions under applicable law or contained in our debt instruments or agreements or any future preferred shares. We anticipate that our distributions will exceed our then current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for federal income tax purposes due to non-cash expenses, primarily depreciation and amortization charges that we expect to incur. Therefore, a portion of these distributions will represent a return of capital for federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and not treated by us as a dividend will not be taxable to a taxable U.S. shareholder under current federal income tax law to the extent those distributions do not exceed the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in his or her common shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of the common shares. Therefore, the gain (or loss) recognized on the sale of the common shares or upon our liquidation will be increased (or decreased) accordingly. To the extent those distributions exceed a taxable U.S. shareholder's adjusted tax basis in his or her common shares, they generally will be treated as a capital gain realized from the taxable disposition of those shares.
For the period from October 28, 2004 through December 31, 2004, we declared our initial partial quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share, payable to shareholders of record on December 31, 2004. We distributed this dividend on January 14, 2005. At the same time, our operating partnership paid a distribution of $0.16 per unit to holders of limited partnership interests in our operating partnership. With respect to this distribution, $0.109319 of the $0.16 per common share represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, we declared four quarterly dividends of $0.2275 per common share and declared four quarterly distributions of $0.2275 per unit of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership. For the year ending December 31, 2005, 59% of our distributions represented a return of capital for federal income tax purposes. To the extent not inconsistent with maintaining our REIT status, we may retain accumulated earnings of our taxable REIT subsidiaries in such subsidiary. The percentage of our shareholder distributions that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits may vary substantially from year to year.
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For the first quarter of 2006, we declared a quarterly dividend distribution of $0.2275 per common share, payable to shareholders of record on March 31, 2006. We distributed this dividend on April 14, 2006, and at the same time, our operating partnership paid a distribution of $0.2275 per unit to holders of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership.
For the second quarter of 2006, we declared a quarterly dividend distribution of $0.2275 per common share, payable to shareholders of record on June 30, 2006. We distributed this dividend on July 14, 2006, and at the same time, our operating partnership paid a distribution of $0.2275 per unit to holders of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership.
We cannot assure you that we will continue to have cash available for distributions at historical levels or at all. Any distributions we pay in the future will depend upon our actual results of operations, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations. In addition, our ability to maintain our quarterly dividend payment at its current rate may be affected by the current restriction under the terms of our credit facility that precludes us from making distributions to our shareholders in excess of 95% of funds from operations for a fiscal year. Our actual results of operations will be affected by a number of factors, including the revenue we receive from our student housing segment, revenues from management and consulting fees in connection with management services that we will provide for student housing properties owned by others, revenues from our military housing projects, our operating expenses, interest expense and unanticipated expenditures. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially adversely affect our actual results of operations, please see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of this report.
Use of Proceeds from Registered Offerings
On September 27, 2005, the SEC simultaneously declared effective our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File Number 333-128081) as filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with a public offering of our common shares of beneficial interest. We also filed on that date another Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File Number 333-128664), also related to such offering, which was effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The offering was completed on October 4, 2005 with the sale of 9,315,000 common shares at $14.25 per share, including 1,215,000 shares issued as a result of the underwriters' exercise of their over-allotment option in full at the closing. The Company received $124.6 million in net proceeds from the offering, after underwriting discounts, payment of financial advisory fees and estimated offering expenses. We used the entire net proceeds to repay an equal amount of outstanding indebtedness under of credit facility. The managing underwriters of the public offering were Banc of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Company |
Predecessor Entities |
||||||||||||||
|
2005 |
2004(1) |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
|||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except per share data) |
|||||||||||||||
Operating Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue | $ | 132,094 | $ | 25,650 | $ | 636 | $ | 736 | $ | 725 | ||||||
Operating expense reimbursements | 62,580 | 40,512 | 10,591 | 3,711 | 2,992 | |||||||||||
Fee income: | ||||||||||||||||
Related parties | 7,005 | 4,355 | 3,892 | 6,578 | 7,426 | |||||||||||
Third parties | 3,774 | 3,986 | 2,624 | 1,983 | 1,291 | |||||||||||
Other fee incomerelated party | 18,321 | 8,460 | 842 | 372 | | |||||||||||
Other income | 378 | 915 | 230 | 295 | 634 | |||||||||||
Total revenue | 224,152 | 83,878 | 18,815 | 13,675 | 13,068 | |||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Property operating expenses | 58,664 | 22,755 | 9,218 | 7,799 | 2,614 | |||||||||||
Reimbursed expenses | 62,580 | 40,512 | 10,591 | 3,711 | 2,992 | |||||||||||
Real estate taxes | 12,191 | 1,887 | 83 | 79 | | |||||||||||
Administrative expenses | 11,209 | 4,439 | 1,405 | 295 | 3,276 | |||||||||||
Profits interest and employee initial public offering bonus expense | | 37,502 | | | | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 34,188 | 7,154 | 822 | 821 | 814 | |||||||||||
Interest | 31,025 | 6,072 | 396 | 542 | 814 | |||||||||||
Total expenses | 209,857 | 120,321 | 22,515 | 13,247 | 10,510 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, minority interest, and income taxes | 14,295 | (36,443 | ) | (3,700 | ) | 428 | 2,558 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | 3,073 | | 751 | | | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest and income taxes | 17,368 | (36,443 | ) | (2,949 | ) | 428 | 2,558 | |||||||||
Income taxes | 5,580 | 312 | | | | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest | 11,788 | (36,755 | ) | (2,949 | ) | 428 | 2,558 | |||||||||
Minority interest | 5,729 | 247 | | | | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 6,059 | $ | (37,002 | ) | $ | (2,949 | ) | $ | 428 | $ | 2,558 | ||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.19 | 0.01 | (2) | ||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.18 | 0.01 | (2) |
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|
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Company |
Predecessor Entities |
|||||||||||||
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
||||||||||
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data | |||||||||||||||
Real estate investments, net | $ | 1,181,216 | $ | 634,730 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Corporate office, net | 7,613 | 11,384 | 6,963 | 7,100 | 7,210 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 2,240 | 60,926 | 515 | 96 | 837 | ||||||||||
Total assets | 1,277,951 | 773,061 | 16,146 | 13,536 | 15,390 | ||||||||||
Notes payable and line of credit | 728,069 | 370,007 | 10,977 | 11,806 | 12,552 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities | 792,452 | 395,242 | 12,552 | 13,099 | 13,791 | ||||||||||
Minority interest | 188,633 | 182,118 | | | | ||||||||||
Equity | 296,866 | 195,701 | 3,594 | 437 | 1,599 |
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
GMH Communities Trust commenced operations on November 2, 2004, upon completion of its initial public offering and the simultaneous acquisition of the sole general partnership interest in GMH Communities, LP, referred to throughout this report as our operating partnership. The historical operations prior to completion of our initial public offering that are described in this report refer to the operations of College Park Management, Inc., GMH Military Housing, LLC, 353 Associates, L.P., and Corporate Flight Services, LLC, which are collectively referred to, together with our operating partnership, as the GMH Predecessor Entities or our predecessor entities.
In connection with our formation transactions completed prior to and simultaneously with the completion of our initial public offering, the ownership interests in the GMH Predecessor Entities were contributed to our operating partnership as described in Note 1 of the financial statements included in this report. We have described our operations in this report as if the historical operations of our predecessor entities were conducted by us for the full fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Overview
We are 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. As of December 31, 2005, we owned, or had ownership interests in, 54 student housing properties containing a total of 10,236 units and 33,340 beds, one undeveloped parcel of land held for development as student housing properties and three partially developed parcels of land. Additionally, as of December 31, 2005, our operating partnership had an ownership interest in, and through various wholly-owned subsidiaries provided services to, seven military housing privatization projects, and held rights to exclusively negotiate an additional project, comprising an aggregate of 16,745 end-state housing units on 19 military bases. As of December 31, 2005, we also were in the solicitation process with the U.S. Air Force for a military housing privatization project that is expected to cover four bases and 2,875 end-state housing units. On May 1, 2006, we officially closed on the award of the project that was under exclusive negotiation, comprising 887 end-state housing units located on the base of Fort Gordon located near Augusta, Georgia, and we acquired an ownership interest in the Army's Carlisle Barracks and Picatinny Arsenal project, and assumed management and maintenance services for the project, which will cover 348 end-state units. As of July 21, 2006, financing was secured for the Carlisle/Picatinny project, and construction and renovation agreements were in the process of being completed to permit the commencement of construction/renovation activities. Through our taxable REIT subsidiaries, we provide development, construction, renovation and management services to our military housing privatization projects and property management services to student housing properties owned by others. In addition, throughout 2005, we provided consulting services with respect to the management of certain student housing properties owned by others, including colleges, universities, and other private owners. In order to comply with the applicable requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, we must limit the operations of taxable REIT subsidiaries so that securities issued to us by our taxable REIT subsidiaries do not represent more than 20% of our total assets as of the close of any quarter in our taxable year and so that dividends from our taxable REIT subsidiaries, together with our other non-qualifying gross income, do not exceed 25% of our gross income for any taxable year.
Currently, our operations are managed within two operating segments: (1) student housing and (2) military housing. This structure provides an effective platform for maximizing market penetration and optimizing operating economies of scale. In addition, we separately report the activities of certain departments from a corporate level, which includes personnel that service GMH Communities Trust as a whole and support our overall operations.
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Restatement of 2005 quarterly financial statements and identification of material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures
As disclosed in the section entitled "Controls and Procedures" in Part II, Item 9A of this report, in the first quarter of 2006 the Audit Committee of our Board of Trustees conducted an investigation of certain accounting and financial reporting matters. The investigation identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and in our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2005. In connection with the investigation, we reviewed our previously reported financial statements. Through this review, we identified adjustments that were material to the results we previously reported for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005. Accordingly, we are restating our financial statements for those periods. A summary of our restated operating results for each of the quarterly periods during 2005 is set forth in Note 15 of the notes to consolidated and combined financial statements contained in the section entitled "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in Part II, Item 8 of this report. These restatements and related information will be reflected in amendments to our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods during 2005, or in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the comparable period in 2006.
Student Housing
The student housing segment acquires, owns and manages off-campus student housing properties strategically located near college or university campuses. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, our rental revenue increased substantially as a result of the acquisition of an aggregate of 54 properties. Additionally, operating expenses, real estate taxes and depreciation and amortization have increased as a result of these acquisitions. Further, interest expense has increased related to the financing of the properties we have acquired.
Historically, we have found certain property revenues and operating expenses to be cyclical in nature, and therefore not incurred ratably over the course of the year. As our properties are leased predominantly on an academic-year basis, certain of our operating revenues and expenses will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the leasing cycle. For example, we experience significant turnover costs during the third quarter of our fiscal year, in connection with preparing our properties for new residents prior to commencement of the new academic-year lease period, which typically begins in August or September. In addition, we also typically incur higher lease-up costs during the first two quarters of our fiscal year, as this is the period during which we heavily target students for leases that will commence for the next academic year. Property revenues and expenses may differ from expected results in the year of acquisition, depending on the timing of the acquisition in relation to the leasing cycle. We expect this trend to continue as we acquire additional properties. In comparing our operating statistics for the fiscal year 2005 versus 2004, most of the key operating metrics for the student housing segment experienced significant increases, primarily as a result of (i) the presentation of a full year of operations during 2005 with respect to properties acquired in 2004, and (ii) the acquisition of an additional 24 properties during 2005. From 2004 to 2005, rent and other property income, depreciation and amortization and interest expense generally increased five times; real estate taxes increased nearly six times; and property operating expense increased in excess of two and half times. The increase in real estate taxes was disproportionately higher than the increase associated with rent and other property income due to more aggressive assessments by local taxing authorities with respect to certain of our student housing properties throughout 2005. The increase in property operating expenses was disproportionately lower than the increase associated with rent and other property income due primarily to timing issues surrounding the dates on which we acquired properties in 2004 in relation to the student housing leasing cycle. Operating expenses of our predecessor entities in 2004 for the period from January 1, 2004 through the date our operating partnership commenced operations amounted to $4.5 million against which no property income was earned. During 2005, we also experienced, and expect to continue to experience going forward, increases in operating expenses (in addition to the
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proportionate increase associated with the increased number of properties owned in 2005 versus 2004) that will include increased utility expenses resulting from national trends in higher energy-related costs..
We earn management fees from managing properties for related parties and third parties. These fees are typically equal to a percentage of cash receipts or gross rental revenues generated by the managed properties, or equal to a fixed monthly amount, according to the management agreements for the properties we manage. We also have the ability to earn incentive management fees by achieving specified property-level performance criteria for certain properties we manage for third parties. Further, certain operating expenses incurred related to properties we manage for others are reimbursed by the owners of the properties managed. We expect to continue generating fee revenue and operating expense reimbursements from the properties that we manage for others, although the amounts are expected to become less significant as a percentage of our overall revenues as rental income increases from the properties we own. During 2006, we also expect to aggressively pursue new third-party management agreements by utilizing relationships in the student housing market and providing our significant operational economies of scale as a savings mechanism for other third-party owners, including institutional owners and individual student housing owners.
During 2006, we expect to acquire additional student housing properties and development projects that are located in our targeted markets and that meet management's underwriting criteria for creating long-term growth potential. During 2005, we entered into a joint venture with an institutional partner to develop and construct two student housing properties. Under the terms of this venture, our joint venture partner agreed to fund 90% of the equity expected to be required for development of the properties, which includes acquisition costs for the properties and a portion of the development and construction costs, and we agreed to fund the remaining 10% of the required equity. The joint venture then obtained a construction loan for the properties to be developed that permits draws for up to a certain percentage of the total cost of development. The terms of the joint venture provide that we manage the properties, including the development, construction and pre-leasing of the properties, and have the option to purchase our partner's interest in the joint venture within one year after completion of the properties. In an effort to conserve our capital resources, we expect, at least through the remainder of 2006, to fund all future acquisitions of student housing properties and development projects primarily through joint venture structures. We may also determine that it is appropriate to purchase additional student housing properties alone, as opposed to with a joint venture partner, depending upon many factors which may include, but are not limited to, the applicable purchase price, available capital and projected returns with respect to the property and availability of funds. In addition to utilizing cash from operations and from our line of credit, we may leverage existing student housing properties which are underleveraged or unencumbered by debt to generate cash to fund the purchase of additional student housing properties or our equity investments in joint ventures. The timing of any additional acquisitions or development projects will be dependent upon various factors, including our ability to complete satisfactory due diligence, find suitable joint venture partners and agree upon mutually acceptable joint venture terms, obtain appropriate debt financing on the properties, and the availability of capital.
Military Housing
Our military housing segment develops, constructs, renovates and manages military housing privatization projects in which we acquire equity interests. Our military housing segment began generating revenue in the fourth quarter of 2003 with the initiation of our Fort Carson and Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield projects. Revenue grew throughout 2004 and 2005 with the addition of various other projects. Revenue from our military housing segment is comprised primarily of fee income for providing development, construction/renovation and management services to our military housing privatization projects. In addition, we also are entitled to returns on the equity we invest in the projects. In addition, we earn business development fees from certain of our business partners in
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connection with our military housing privatization projects, such as our construction and architectural/engineering partners. We seek these fees as payment for our business development efforts incurred by us in connection with pursuing and coordinating the completion of military housing privatization projects that benefit these business partners. We also receive expense reimbursements, consisting primarily of payroll and related expenses, closing costs and transition costs we incur for the project in the 60 to 90-day period preceding the initiation of our management of the project. Typically, at the time we initiate management on a project, the project reimburses us for these amounts from the proceeds of the debt securities issued by the military housing privatization project.
As of December 31, 2005, we owned equity interests in the joint ventures that owned the seven military housing privatization projects in operation, encompassing 18 military bases totaling 15,858 housing units. During the year ended December 31, 2005, we earned fees for providing development, construction/renovation and management services to these seven military housing privatization projects.
In May 2005, the U.S. Department of the Army selected us to be its private sector partner for the design, development, construction, renovation and management of family military housing units at Fort Gordon, located near Augusta, Georgia. On May 1, 2006, we closed on the formal award of this project by the Army and officially commenced operations on this project. The project will have a six-year initial development period with new construction and renovations of 887 end-state housing units. The 50-year project term will involve the development, management and construction of high-quality homes, the targeted renovation of existing homes, and the addition of community enhancing facilities and services. In addition, we are currently in the solicitation process with the Air Force for a military housing privatization project that is expected to cover four bases and 2,875 end-state housing units.
In February 2006, we entered into an agreement with American Eagle Communities Northeast LLC to obtain its rights to exclusively negotiate with the Army with respect the Carlisle/Picatinny project located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Dover, New Jersey. On May 1, 2006, we acquired an ownership interest in the Carlisle/Picatinny project and began management and maintenance services for this project. As of July 21, 2006, financing was secured for the project, and construction and renovation agreements were in the process of being completed to permit the commencement of construction/renovation activities. This 50-year project has a five-year initial development period with new construction and/or renovation of 348 end-state housing units.
We and the U.S. Department of the Army continue to review the possibility of refinancing the Fort Carson project to obtain additional project funding. If the project is refinanced, we would expect the proceeds to be used to fund development and construction/renovation activities for additional housing units, for which we would expect to earn more fees in addition to the fees we currently earn for managing the existing housing units.
With regard to trends and uncertainties in the military housing market, some of the bases included in our military housing privatization projects were targeted for closure or realignment in the last round of the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, process, which was initiated in 1988 and completed its fifth, and under current legislation, final round in 2005. By way of background, the Department of Defense (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, CT and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. 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, and 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, the BRAC Commission sent its report to the President regarding its findings and
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recommended changes to the DoD's initial report. President Bush accepted the BRAC Commission's recommendations in their entirety. On November 9, 2005, the BRAC round was completed when Congress also approved the BRAC Commission's recommendations in their entirety. Under the final BRAC list versus the original DoD recommendations, the number of affected military housing units covered by our existing projects was reduced from 2,500 to approximately 700 units, with these remaining approximately 700 units 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 facilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Our management team also had under review, as of July 3, 2006, nine potential additional military housing privatization project opportunities, and will continue to pursue opportunities to acquire projects or project rights from our competitors, as well as opportunities to participate in pilot housing programs for unaccompanied military personnel. For additional details with respect to these projects see the section titled "Military Housing BusinessAdditional Military Housing Privatization Projects and Development Opportunities under Review" located in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company's consolidated financial statements and the GMH Predecessor Entities' combined financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. While the estimates and judgments associated with the application of these accounting principles may be affected by different assumptions or conditions, we believe the estimates and judgments associated with the reported amounts are appropriate under the circumstances in which they were made. In addition, other companies in similar businesses may utilize different estimation policies and methodologies, which may impact the comparability of our results of operations and financial condition to those companies.
The following policies require significant judgments and estimates on our part in preparing the Company's consolidated financial statements and the GMH Predecessor Entities' combined financial statements. Changes in these judgments and estimates could have a material effect on these financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Student Housing
Student housing revenue includes rental revenue and other property income, standard and incentive management fees, and reimbursements of certain operating expenses. These sources of revenue are described in greater detail below:
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Military Housing
We earn military housing revenues for providing services to our military housing privatization projects, including the following:
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a straight-line basis over the term of the related business development agreement, which is generally one year. The additional fee is recognized and paid to us as the related services are provided to our military housing projects by our business partners.
Real Estate Investments and Corporate Assets
We carry real estate investments and corporate assets at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Cost of acquired assets includes the purchase price and related closing costs. We allocate the cost of real estate investments to net tangible and identified intangible assets based on relative fair values in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 ("SFAS 141"), Business Combinations. We estimate fair value based on information obtained from a number of sources, including our due diligence, marketing and leasing activities, independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, and other market data.
The value of in-place leases is based on the difference between (i) the property valued with existing in-place leases and (ii) the property valued as if vacant. As lease terms typically are 12 months or less, actual rates on in-place leases generally approximate market rental rates. Factors that we consider in the valuation of in-place leases include an estimate of incremental carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and nature of the tenancy. Purchase prices of student housing properties to be acquired are not expected to be allocated to tenant relationships considering the terms of the leases and the expected levels of renewals. We amortize the value of in-place leases to expense over the remaining term of the respective leases, which is generally one year or less.
We expense routine repair and maintenance costs that do not improve the value of an asset or extend its useful life, including turnover costs. We capitalize expenditures that improve the value and extend the useful life of an asset. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally 40 years for buildings including student housing properties and the commercial office building, and three to five years for residential furniture and appliances. During the third quarter of each fiscal year, we typically will experience an increase in property operating expenses over other quarters as a result of repair and maintenance expenditures relating to turnover of units at student housing properties. The Company's student housing lease terms generally commence in August or September to coincide with the beginning of the academic year. Accordingly, the Company expects to incur a majority of its repair and maintenance costs in the third quarter to prepare for new residents.
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 ("SFAS 144"), Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as real estate investments and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to, operational performance, market conditions and competition from other off-campus properties and on-campus housing, legal and environmental concerns, and results of appraisals or other information obtained as part of a financing or disposition strategy. When required, we review the recoverability of assets to be held and used through a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to
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be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset determined using customary valuation techniques, such as the present value of expected future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and no longer would be depreciated.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We estimate the collectibility of receivables generated by rental and other income as a result of the operation of our student housing properties. If we believe that the collectibility of certain amounts is questionable, we record a specific reserve for these amounts to reduce the amount outstanding to an amount we believe will be collectible and a reserve for all other accounts based on a range of percentages applied to aging categories, which is based on historical collection and write-off experience.
We also evaluate the collectibility of fee income and expense reimbursements generated by the management of student housing properties owned by others and through the provision of development, construction, renovation and management services to our military housing privatization projects based upon the individual facts and circumstances, and record a reserve for specific amounts, if necessary.
Minority Interest
Minority interest as initially recorded at the date of our initial public offering represented the net equity of our operating partnership, including the proceeds received from the sale of the warrant to Vornado, multiplied by the ownership percentage of holders of limited partnership units in our operating partnership other than the Company. Our operating partnership is obligated to redeem, at the request of a holder, each unit of limited partnership interest for cash or common shares on a one-for-one basis, at the Company's option, subject to adjustments for share splits, dividends, recapitalizations or similar events; except that Gary M. Halloway, Sr. has the right to require our operating partnership to redeem his and his affiliates' units of limited partnership interest for common shares, subject to his restriction from owning more than 20% of the Company's outstanding common shares. If the minority interest unit holders' share of a current year loss would cause the minority interest balance to be less than zero, the minority interest balance will be reported as zero unless there is an obligation of the minority interest unitholders to fund those losses. Any losses in excess of the minority interest will be charged against equity. If future earnings materialize, equity will be credited for all earnings up to the amount of those losses previously absorbed. Distributions to limited partnership unit holders other than the Company are recorded as a reduction to minority interest.
Investments in Military Housing Projects and Student Housing Joint Ventures
Military housing projects are joint ventures entered into between the Company and the U.S. military to design, develop, construct/renovate and manage the military family housing located on or near various bases throughout the United States. The Company evaluates its investments in military housing project joint ventures in which we have a variable interest to determine if the underlying entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE") as defined under FASB Financial Interpretation No. 46 (as revised) ("FIN 46(R)"). The Company has concluded that each of the military housing project joint ventures in which it has a variable interest is a VIE and that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs. We record our investments in joint ventures under our military housing projects in accordance with the equity method of accounting. Our investment is initially recorded at cost, and then subsequently adjusted at each balance sheet date to an amount equal to what we would receive from the joint venture in the event that it were liquidated at net book value as of that date, and assuming that the proceeds from the liquidation are distributed in accordance with the terms of, and priority of
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returns set forth under, the joint venture's operating agreement. The Company has exposure to loss to the extent of its investments, if any, and any receivables due from the project.
The Company entered into a joint venture in the third quarter of 2005 to develop and construct two student housing properties. The Company is accounting for the transaction as a financing arrangement because it has the option to purchase the joint venture partners' interest in the joint venture within one year of completion of the properties and because the Company has provided certain guarantees for the completion of construction and for a portion of the construction loans. Therefore, the Company accounts for its investment in the joint venture by including its assets and liabilities in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2004. To continue to qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we currently distribute at least 90% of our adjusted taxable income to our shareholders. We believe we are organized and operate in a manner that allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, and it is our intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain the Company's REIT status in the future. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, other than with respect to the Company's taxable REIT subsidiaries.
In conformity with the Code and applicable state and local tax statutes, taxable income or loss of The GMH Predecessor Entities was required to be reported in the tax returns of Gary M. Holloway, Sr. and Vornado, as such entities were treated as pass-through entities for tax purposes. Accordingly, no income tax provision has been reflected in the accompanying combined statements of operations of the GMH Predecessor Entities.
Results of Operations
Through 2003, our student housing business focused primarily on providing property management services to related parties and others. A number of the properties that we managed for others were disposed of by their owners, resulting in contraction in this segment of our business. In 2004, we redirected our focus in the student housing business and now are an owner/operator of student housing in addition to being a provider of management services.
From 2003 to 2005, we invested significant resources to pursue military housing privatization contracts. We increased our planning, execution and management teams to address the needs of this segment. While we were awarded numerous contracts, no income was recognized until the fourth quarter of 2003. As of December 31, 2005, seven military housing privatization projects are operational and this segment of our business is generating income.
The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 presented below reflect the results of operations of the Company. The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 presented below reflect the results of operations of our predecessor entities for the period from January 1, 2004 through November 1, 2004, and the results of operations for the Company, after completion of our initial public offering, for the period from November 2, 2004 through December 31, 2004.
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Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2005 to the year ended December, 2004
|
2005 (Company) |
2004 (Company and Predecessor Entities) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Student Housing |
Military Housing |
Corporate |
Total |
Student Housing |
Military Housing |
Corporate |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rent and other property income | $ | 131,849 | $ | | $ | 245 | $ | 132,094 | $ | 25,251 | $ | | $ | 399 | $ | 25,650 | |||||||||||
Expense reimbursements: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Related party | 176 | 57,436 | 318 | 57,930 | 1,140 | 31,822 | 347 | 33,309 | |||||||||||||||||||
Third party | 4,650 | | | 4,650 | 7,203 | | | 7,203 | |||||||||||||||||||
Management fees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Related party | 197 | 6,808 | | 7,005 | 1,458 | 2,897 | | 4,355 | |||||||||||||||||||
Third party | 3,774 | | | 3,774 | 3,986 | | | 3,986 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other fee income-related party | 290 | 18,000 | 31 | 18,321 | | 8,460 | | 8,460 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income | 142 | 108 | 128 | 378 | 126 | 393 | 396 | 915 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 141,078 | 82,352 | 722 | 224,152 | 39,164 | 43,572 | 1,142 | 83,878 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property operating expense | 54,233 | 4,431 | | 58,664 | 16,258 | 6,497 | | 22,755 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursed expenses | 4,826 | 57,436 | 318 | 62,580 | 8,343 | 31,822 | 347 | 40,512 | |||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes | 12,191 | | | 12,191 | 1,887 | | | 1,887 | |||||||||||||||||||
Administrative expenses | | | 11,209 | 11,209 | | | 4,439 | 4,439 | |||||||||||||||||||
Profits interest and employee initial public offering bonus expense | | | | | | | 37,502 | 37,502 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 33,369 | 299 | 520 | 34,188 | 6,214 | 25 | 915 | 7,154 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest | 29,493 | | 1,532 | 31,025 | 5,579 | | 493 | 6,072 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 134,112 | 62,166 | 13,579 | 209,857 | 38,281 | 38,344 | 43,696 | 120,321 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, minority interest and income taxes | 6,966 | 20,186 | (12,857 | ) | 14,295 | 883 | 5,228 | (42,554 | ) | (36,443 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | | 3,073 | | 3,073 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest and income taxes | 6,966 | 23,259 | (12,857 | ) | 17,368 | 883 | 5,228 | (42,554 | ) | (36,443 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Income taxes | 66 | 5,514 | | 5,580 | 33 | 279 | | 312 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest | 6,900 | 17,745 | (12,857 | ) | 11,788 | 850 | 4,949 | (42,554 | ) | (36,755 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Minority interest | 3,353 | 8,625 | (6,249 | ) | 5,729 | | | 247 | 247 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,547 | $ | 9,120 | $ | (6,608 | ) | $ | 6,059 | $ | 850 | $ | 4,949 | $ | (42,801 | ) | $ | (37,002 | ) | ||||||||
Student Housing
Revenue. Of the 54 properties owned as of December 31, 2005, we acquired 30 of the student housing properties during 2004 and the remaining 24 properties during 2005. Rent and other property income from these 54 properties totaled $131.8 million in 2005. Rent and other property income from the 30 properties we owned as of December 31, 2004 was $25.3 million in 2004. The increase in rent and other property income experienced during 2005 relates primarily to (i) the presentation of a full year of operations during 2005 with respect to the 30 properties acquired in 2004, and (ii) the acquisition of an additional 24 properties during 2005. Although we generally seek rent increases that will exceed projected increases in property operating expenses, increases in our property operating expenses exceeded our rent increases from 2004 to 2005, primarily as a result of increases in utility expenses and real estate taxes experienced during 2005. As a result, our net income going forward will be affected by property operating expenses throughout the academic year to the extent they are higher than those projected by our management prior to lease execution for that academic year.
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Expense reimbursements from related parties decreased to $0.2 million in 2005 from $1.1 million in 2004, primarily due to our acquisition in March 2005 from related parties of two student housing properties that we managed prior to purchase. In addition, in March 2005, we ceased managing an additional student housing property owned by a related party upon the sale of the property.
Expense reimbursements from third parties decreased to $4.7 million in 2005 from $7.2 million in 2004, primarily due to our ceasing in 2005 to provide services to five student housing properties owned by third parties upon the sale of the properties. Although one of our business strategies for 2006 relates to the aggressive pursuit of new third-party management agreements, we expect expense reimbursements from third parties to contribute less significantly as a percentage of overall revenue going forward, as a result of the continued growth in rental revenue that we expect to generate from the operations of properties we own and from the operations of new properties acquired throughout 2006.
Management fee income from related parties decreased to $0.2 million in 2005 from $1.5 million in 2004. The decrease in management fee income was primarily due to our acquisition in March 2005 from related parties of two student housing properties that we managed prior to purchase. In addition, in March 2005 we ceased managing an additional student housing property owned by a related party upon the sale of the property.
Management fee income from third parties decreased from $4.0 million in 2004 to $3.8 million in 2005, which income included an increase of $0.8 million related to our recognition of a one-time management fee in 2005 that had not been previously recognized because it was deemed to be uncollectible and was paid to us upon the sale of the property by the third party owner, and which was partially offset by our ceasing to manage five student housing properties owned by third parties upon the sale of the properties. Although one of our business strategies for 2006 relates to the aggressive pursuit of new third-party management agreements, we expect management fees to contribute less significantly as a percentage of overall revenue going forward, as a result of the continued growth in rental revenue that we expect to generate from the operations of properties we own and from the operations of new properties acquired during 2006.
Other fee income from related parties in 2005 was $0.3 million compared to no other fee income in 2004. We anticipate that we will continue to generate such revenue during 2006 as a result of fees that we expect to earn from providing development and management services to joint ventures with third-party institutional investors that we enter into to finance the development and construction of additional student housing properties.
Other income increased slightly to $142,000 in 2005 from $126,000 in 2004. This other income consisted primarily of interest income on invested cash.
Expenses. Property operating expenses increased to $54.2 million in 2005 from $16.3 million in 2004, primarily due to expenses attributable to the 24 properties acquired in 2005 and our ownership and operation throughout 2005 of properties acquired in 2004. Property operating expenses also include compensation and operating costs with respect to our student housing department and acquisitions department employees. We expect property operating expenses to continue to increase in the future as we acquire additional properties. With respect to properties that we currently own, we also expect to continue to experience increases in utility expenses resulting from national trends in higher energy-related costs.
Reimbursed expenses decreased to $4.8 million in 2005 from $8.3 million in 2004, primarily due to our acquisition from related parties in March 2005 of two student housing properties that we managed prior to our purchase. In addition, during 2005, we ceased providing management services relating to five student housing properties owned by third parties and a student housing property owned by a related party upon the sale of the properties.
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Real estate taxes increased to $12.2 million in 2005 from $1.9 million in 2004 primarily due to the acquisition of 24 properties in 2005 and the full year of real estate taxes with respect to the 30 properties we owned as of December 31, 2004. We expect real estate taxes to continue to increase significantly in the future as we acquire additional properties, and to the extent that local authorities continue to aggressively pursue higher real estate tax assessments on any properties that we currently own.
Depreciation and amortization increased to $33.4 million in 2005 from $6.2 million in 2004 primarily as a result of acquiring 24 properties in 2005 for an aggregate purchase price of $545.7 million. The $33.4 million in 2005 is comprised of $25.2 million of depreciation and $8.2 million of lease intangible amortization. We expect depreciation to increase significantly in the future as we acquire additional properties.
Interest expense increased to $29.5 million in 2005 from $5.6 million in 2004 as a result of incurring additional debt, including placement of new mortgage debt and the assumption of existing mortgage debt, as well as borrowings under our line of credit, in connection with the acquisition of 24 properties in 2005. During 2005, we placed $274.3 million of new mortgage debt, assumed $118.9 million of existing mortgage debt, and increased borrowings under our line of credit by a net of $36.0 million. We expect interest expense to increase in the future as we incur additional debt to fund acquisitions. Interest expense also will increase as a result of rising interest rates. For more information regarding the amount of fixed-rate and variable-rate indebtedness we held as of December 31, 2005, see the section titled Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk under Item 7A of this report.
Income taxes amounted to $66,000 in 2005 compared to $33,000 in 2004. Income taxes consist primarily of taxes associated with the operations of our student housing taxable REIT subsidiary.
Military Housing
Revenue. Expense reimbursements totaled $57.4 million in 2005, as compared to $31.8 million in 2004, primarily due to payroll and renovation expenses related to the seven military housing projects in operation as of December 31, 2005 as compared with the five military housing projects in operation as of December 31, 2004; closing costs and transition expenses for the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, which commenced operations in the third quarter of 2005; and reimbursed expenses for the Fort Hamilton project, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick project, the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project and the Navy Northeast project, which were in operation for all of 2005 but only a portion of 2004.
In addition, reimbursements of costs incurred in the development of CDMPs totaled $0.4 million in 2005 relating to the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, and $1.0 million in 2004 relating to the Fort Hamilton project, Walter Reed Army Medical Center/Fort Detrick project and the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project. The table below sets forth certain information regarding the revenue from expense reimbursements and reimbursed costs for CDMP development for each of our military housing
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projects for 2005 and 2004. Only the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield project and the Fort Carson project were in operation throughout all of 2004 and 2005.
Project |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in millions) |
|||||
Expense Reimbursements | ||||||
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Project | $ | 9.4 | $ | 7.0 | ||
Fort Carson Project | 6.9 | 11.8 | ||||
Fort Hamilton Project(1) | 0.5 | 1.1 | ||||
Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick Project(2) | 1.4 | 0.9 | ||||
Fort Eustis/Fort Story Project(3) | 4.7 | 4.3 | ||||
Navy Northeast Region Project(3) | 29.0 | 6.7 | ||||
Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range Project(4) | 5.5 | | ||||
Total expense reimbursements | $ | 57.4 | $ | 31.8 | ||
Reimbursed costs | $ | 0.4 | $ | 1.0 | ||
Management fees from related parties totaled $6.8 million in 2005 compared to $2.9 million in 2004. The table below sets forth certain information regarding the revenue from management fees from related parties for each of our military housing projects for 2005 and 2004. The amount of management fees from related parties that we receive during a fiscal period is affected by the number of housing units that we manage under our military housing projects during that period, which number will fluctuate based on the number of housing units that we construct/renovate or demolish during that period. Management fees from related parties increased significantly during 2005 primarily due to commencement of operations relating to our Navy Northeast Region project in the fourth quarter of 2004 and a full year of operations for our other projects.
Project |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in millions) |
||||||
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Project | $ | 1.0 | $ | 1.0 | |||
Fort Carson Project | 1.2 | 1.1 | |||||
Fort Hamilton Project(1) | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||
Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick Project(2) | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||
Fort Eustis/Fort Story Project(3) | 0.5 | | (4) | ||||
Navy Northeast Region Project(3) | 3.2 | 0.5 | |||||
Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range Project(5) | 0.5 | | |||||
Total | $ | 6.8 | $ | 2.9 | |||
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Other fee income from related parties, which includes development and construction fees and business development fees, totaled $18.0 million in 2005 compared to $8.5 million in 2004. The table below sets forth certain information regarding the revenue from other fee income from related parties for each of our military housing projects for 2005 and 2004. The amount of other fee income from related parties that we receive during a fiscal period is affected by the level of housing unit development and construction that we perform under our military housing projects during that period. Other fee income from related parties increased significantly during 2005 primarily due to commencement of operations relating to our Navy Northeast Region project in the fourth quarter of 2004 and a full year of operations for our other projects.
Project |
2005 |
2004 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in millions) |
|||||||
Development and Construction Fees | ||||||||
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Project | $ | 3.9 | $ | 2.3 | ||||
Fort Carson Project | 0.3 | 0.8 | ||||||
Fort Hamilton Project(1) | 0.9 | 0.5 | ||||||
Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick Project(2) | 1.2 | 1.0 | ||||||
Fort Eustis/Fort Story Project(3) | 1.1 | | (4) | |||||
Navy Northeast Region Project(3) | 4.5 | 1.7 | ||||||
Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range Project(5) | 2.1 | | ||||||
Total development and construction/renovation fees | $ | 14.0 | $ | 6.3 | ||||
Business development fees | $ | 4.0 | $ | 2.2 | ||||
Total Other Fee IncomeRelated Parties | $ | 18.0 | $ | 8.5 | ||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, which includes preferred returns from military housing project joint ventures, totaled $3.1 million for 2005. Of the 2005 amount, $1.0 million related to preferred returns from our Navy Northeast project, and $2.1 million related to our investment in Fort Carson Family Housing LLC.
Expenses. Property operating expenses include costs related to operating the military housing segment of our business. These costs decreased to $4.4 million in 2005 from $6.5 million in 2004 primarily due to the presence in 2004 of costs associated with integrating the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project and the Navy Northeast Region project, both of which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2004; partially offset by costs in 2005 associated with integrating the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, which commenced operations in the third quarter of 2005.
Reimbursed expenses increased to $57.4 million in 2005 from $31.8 million in 2004 primarily due to payroll and renovation expenses related to the seven military housing projects in operation as of December 31, 2005 as compared with the five military housing projects in operation as of December 31, 2004; closing costs and transition expenses for the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range project, which commenced operations in the third quarter of 2005; and reimbursed expenses for the Fort Hamilton project, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick project, the Fort
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Eustis/Fort Story project and the Navy Northeast project, which were in operation for all of 2005 but only a portion of 2004.
Corporate
Rental revenue, other fee incomerelated party, other income, and expense reimbursements, which were recognized with respect to the portions of our corporate headquarters leased to entities affiliated with Gary M. Holloway, Sr., and payroll and related expenses reimbursed by entities affiliated with Mr. Holloway for the provision of common services, decreased to $0.7 million in 2005 from $1.1 million in 2004, primarily as a result of a reduced level of services provided to these entities as compared to 2004.
Reimbursed expenses remained unchanged at $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Administrative expenses, primarily relating to management of our corporate office, accounting, legal, human resources and information technology, and corporate aircraft, increased to $11.2 million in 2005 from $4.4 million in 2004, primarily due to increased staffing and additional costs incurred in connection with becoming a public company and growth in our operating segments. In addition, we expect to report significant costs at least through the remainder of 2006 in connection with the expenses relating to the Audit Committee investigation, additional audit fees from our independent registered public accounting firm, the implementation of remedial measures to ensure the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, legal fees relating to pending class action litigation and the activities of the Special Committee of our Board. During 2006, we also will incur significant fees in connection with waivers that we have obtained from the syndicate lenders under our line of credit.
Depreciation, relating primarily to our corporate assets, decreased to $0.5 million in 2005 from $0.9 million in 2004, primarily due to the transfer of the corporate aircraft in February 2005 back to Mr. Holloway.
Interest expense increased to $1.5 million in 2005 from $0.5 million in 2004, primarily due to increased outstanding borrowings on our line of credit.
Compensation expense was recorded in 2004 relating to profits interests awarded by Gary M. Holloway to certain employees of the GMH Predecessor Entities and other entities affiliated with Mr. Holloway in recognition of past services. These employees were eligible to participate in the net proceeds or value received by Mr. Holloway upon the sale or disposition of certain student housing properties and the military housing business in excess of Mr. Holloway's equity investments in such assets. These employees rendered all services and satisfied all conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from these profits interests as of the date that such profits interests were awarded. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Statement No.5, Accounting for Contingencies, compensation expense relating to the award of these profits interests was required to be recognized by the GMH Predecessor Entities when the sale or disposition of the assets resulting in proceeds received by Mr. Holloway in an amount in excess of his equity investment in such assets became probable. This amount became probable during the third quarter of 2004 when, in connection with the contribution of the ownership interests in GMH Military Housing LLC, College Park Management Inc. and other assets by Mr. Holloway to our operating partnership in anticipation of the initial public offering of the Company, the remaining profits interests awards were amended to fix the value of such awards at $33.2 million to be paid to these employees unconditionally. Accordingly, this amount was recognized in the third quarter of 2004 and Mr. Holloway's obligations regarding the profits interests were satisfied upon the transfer of $33.2 million of units of limited partnership in our operating partnership to these employees on November 2, 2004, the closing date of our initial public offering.
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Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2004 to the year ended December 31, 2003
|
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Student Housing |
Military Housing |
Corporate |
Total |
Student Housing |
Military Housing |
Corporate |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rent and other property income | $ | 25,251 | $ | | $ | 399 | $ | 25,650 | $ | | $ | | $ | 636 | $ | 636 | |||||||||||
Expense reimbursements: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Related party | 1,140 | 31,822 | 347 | 33,309 | 230 | 2,921 | 122 | 3,273 | |||||||||||||||||||
Third party | 7,203 | | | 7,203 | 7,318 | | | 7,318 | |||||||||||||||||||
Management fees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Related party | 1,458 | 2,897 | | 4,355 | 2,432 | 1,460 | | 3,892 | |||||||||||||||||||
Third party | 3,986 | | | 3,986 | 2,624 | | | 2,624 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other fee income-related party | | 8,460 | | 8,460 | | 450 | 392 | 842 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income | 126 | 393 | 396 | 915 | 226 | | 4 | 230 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 39,164 | 43,572 | 1,142 | 83,878 | 12,830 | 4,831 | 1,154 | 18,815 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property operating expenses | 16,258 | 6,497 | | 22,755 | 5,001 | 4,217 | | 9,218 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursed expenses | 8,343 | 31,822 | 347 | 40,512 | 7,548 | 2,921 | 122 | 10,591 | |||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes | 1,887 | | | 1,887 | | | 83 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||
Administrative expenses | | | 4,439 | 4,439 | | | 1,405 | 1,405 | |||||||||||||||||||
Profits interest and employee initial public offering bonus expense | | | 37,502 | 37,502 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 6,214 | 25 | 915 | 7,154 | 24 | | 798 | 822 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest | 5,579 | | 493 | 6,072 | | | 396 | 396 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 38,281 | 38,344 | 43,696 | 120,321 | 12,573 | 7,138 | 2,804 | 22,515 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, minority interest and income taxes | 883 | 5,228 | (42,554 | ) | (36,443 | ) | 257 | (2,307 | ) | (1,650 | ) | (3,700 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | | | | | 751 | | | 751 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest and income taxes | 883 | 5,228 | (42,554 | ) | (36,443 | ) | 1,008 | (2,307 | ) | (1,650 | ) | (2,949 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income taxes | 33 | 279 | | 312 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest | 850 | 4,949 | (42,554 | ) | (36,755 | ) | 1,008 | (2,307 | ) | (1,650 | ) | (2,949 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Minority interest | | | 247 | 247 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 850 | $ | 4,949 | $ | (42,801 | ) | $ | (37,002 | ) | $ | 1,008 | $ | (2,307 | ) | $ | (1,650 | ) | $ | (2,949 | ) | ||||||
Student Housing
Revenue. We acquired 30 student housing properties in 2004. Rent and other property income from these properties totaled $25.3 million for this period. Because we did not own any student housing properties in 2003, we had no rent and other property income for the period.
Expense reimbursements from related parties increased to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $0.2 million in 2003, primarily due to payroll reimbursements attributable to the properties acquired by related parties that we managed during the period from May 2003 through February 2004. Expense reimbursements from third parties decreased slightly to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $7.3 million in 2003.
Management fee income from related parties was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, consisting of $1.1 million of standard management fees and $0.4 million of asset management fees, as compared to $2.4 million in 2003, consisting of $1.8 million of standard management fees and $0.6 million of asset management fees. The $0.7 million decrease in standard management fees and the $0.2 million decrease in asset management fees resulted primarily from the disposition during the
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period from February 2003 through January 2004 of three properties owned by related parties due to the investment criteria of certain equity partners in those properties. Management fee income from third parties increased to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $2.6 million in 2003, primarily due to increased revenue at the managed properties.
Expenses. Property operating expenses increased to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $5.0 million in 2003, primarily due to expenses attributable to the 30 student housing properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2004.
Reimbursed expenses totaled $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to $7.5 million in 2003, primarily due to an increase in payroll costs associated with the acquisition of the properties by related parties during the period from May 2003 to February 2004.
Real estate taxes increased to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, primarily attributable to the 30 student housing properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2004. We did not pay any real estate taxes during 2003 because we did not own any student housing properties during the period.
Depreciation and amortization increased to $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from less than $0.1 million in 2003 related to the acquisition during 2004 of 30 properties with an aggregate cost of approximately $634.4 million.
Interest expense totaled $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, as compared to no interest expense in 2003, as a result of our incurring $360 million of debt in connection with the acquisition of 30 properties during the year ended December 31, 2004.
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 relating to a liquidating distribution received by College Park Management, Inc. in connection with its prior 40% interest in Atrium Pacific Avenue, LLC. College Park Management, Inc. discontinued recording its share of the losses of Atrium Pacific Avenue, LLC prior to 2002 because its investment was reduced to zero. In 2003, the real estate property owned by Atrium Pacific Avenue, LLC was sold and a liquidating distribution was paid to College Park Management, Inc.
Military Housing
Revenue. Expense reimbursements totaled $31.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to $2.9 million in 2003. Of the 2004 amount, $7.0 million related to the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield project and $11.8 million related to the Fort Carson project, both of which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2003; $0.9 million related to the Fort Hamilton project, which commenced operations in the second quarter of 2004; $0.7 million related to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick project, which commenced operations in the third quarter of 2004; $3.7 million related to the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project and $6.7 million related to the Navy Northeast Region project, both of which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2004; and $1.0 million related to reimbursement of costs incurred in the development of the CDMP for the Fort Hamilton Project, Walter Reed Army Medical Center/Fort Detrick project and the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project.
Management fees from related parties increased to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1.5 million in the comparable period of 2003, primarily due to fees from the Fort Hamilton project, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick project, the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project and the Navy Northeast Region project. Of the $2.9 million of fees in 2004, $1.0 million related to the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield project; $1.1 million related to the Fort Carson project; $0.1 million related to the Fort Hamilton project; $0.1 related to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick project; less than $0.1 million related to the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project; and $0.5 million related to the Navy Northeast project.
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Other fee income from related parties increased to $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $0.5 million in 2003. The 2004 income consisted of $6.3 million of development and construction/renovation fees and $2.2 million of business development fees. Of the development and construction/renovation fees, $2.3 million related to the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield project; $0.8 million related to the Fort Carson project; $0.5 million related to the Fort Hamilton project; $1.0 million related to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick project; and $1.7 million related to the Navy Northeast Region project.
Expenses. Property operating expenses increased to $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $4.2 million in 2003, primarily due to staffing increases related to expansion of our planning, execution and management teams to address the needs of the military housing segment.
Reimbursed expenses increased to $31.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $2.9 million in 2003, primarily due to payroll expenses for Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Fort Carson, Fort Hamilton, Fort Eustis/Fort Story, Navy Northeast Region, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick projects that were in operation during 2004 but only a portion, if at all, during 2003; closing costs and transition expenses for Fort Hamilton and Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Detrick; and expenses for the Fort Carson project and Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield project management and renovation contracts.
Corporate
Rental revenue and expense reimbursements relating to the lease of a portion of our corporate headquarters to entities affiliated with Gary M. Holloway, Sr. decreased slightly to $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $0.8 million in 2003.
Reimbursed expenses increased slightly to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $0.1 million in 2003.
Administrative expenses increased to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1.4 million in 2003, due to increased staffing and additional costs incurred in connection with becoming a public company.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, $37.5 million of compensation expense was recorded, consisting of $33.2 million of profits interests awarded by Mr. Holloway to certain employees of our predecessor entities and other entities affiliated with Mr. Holloway in recognition of past services and $4.3 million of bonuses paid by Mr. Holloway to other employees in connection with our initial public offering. The profits interests were paid to employees who were eligible to participate in the net proceeds or value received by Mr. Holloway upon the sale or disposition of certain student housing properties and the military housing business in excess of Mr. Holloway's equity investments in such assets. These employees rendered all services and satisfied all conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from these profits interests as of the date that such profits interests were awarded. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, compensation expense relating to the award of these profits interests was required to be recognized by our predecessor entities when the sale or disposition of the assets resulting in proceeds received by Mr. Holloway in an amount in excess of his equity investment in such assets became probable. This amount became probable during the third quarter of 2004 when the remaining profits interests awards were amended to fix the value of such awards at $33.2 million to be paid to these employees. Accordingly, we recognized compensation expense in this amount in the third quarter of 2004. Mr. Holloway's obligations regarding the profits interests were satisfied upon the transfer of units of limited partnership in our operating partnership with a value of $33.2 million to these employees on November 2, 2004, the closing date of our initial public offering.
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Depreciation, relating primarily to our headquarters and corporate aircraft, of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 slightly increased from the year ended December 31, 2003.
Interest expense of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 slightly increased from $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay operating expenses and other costs. These expenses and costs include (i) recurring maintenance and capital expenditures to maintain and lease our properties, (ii) interest expense and scheduled principal payments on outstanding indebtedness, (iii) real estate taxes and insurance, (iv) corporate salaries, employee benefits and other corporate overhead and administrative expenses, (v) equity contributions in connection with our military housing joint ventures, and (vi) distributions to shareholders and partners of our operating partnership. Our existing working capital and cash provided by operations, together with amounts available to us under our $150.0 million revolving credit facility are expected to be sufficient to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. Availability under the credit facility as of December 31, 2005 was limited to a borrowing base amount equal to the sum of 60% of the value of an unencumbered asset pool as of the end of the previous quarter (which in no event may contain fewer than five student housing properties) and 50% of the annualized value of our cash flow from our management of military housing privatization projects and student housing properties in the previous quarter. The credit facility was obtained by our operating partnership in November 2004, and GMH Communities Trust serves as guarantor for the credit facility. Advances under the credit facility bear interest, at the election of the borrower, at a Eurodollar rate based on LIBOR or a base rate based on the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent of the facility, plus an interest rate spread on both Eurodollar and prime rate loans that varies depending upon the Company's leverage ratio. The credit facility also requires that we maintain certain corporate level financial covenants.
As of December 31, 2005 and April 30, 2006, we had availability under the credit facility equal to $150.0 million, of which $36.0 million and $95.0 million, respectively, in borrowings was outstanding, and having a weighted average interest rate of 6.50% as of December 31, 2005 and 7.01% as of April 30, 2006. As of December 31, 2005 and April 30, 2006, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility.
In August 2005, we entered into an amendment of the credit facility, under which the calculation of the borrowing base was revised to include cash flow from the military housing construction and development fees and to increase the total cash flow attributable to annualized fees from the management, construction and development of the military housing privatization projects and student housing properties from 35% to 50%. The amendment also increased the applicable interest rate ranges on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility to the following: 1.625% to 2.375% for Eurodollar rate loans or 0.75% to 1.75% for prime rate loans. The amendment also modified the calculation of the leverage ratio and increased the maximum leverage ratio from 60% to 65% through December 31, 2005. At the end of the first quarter of 2006, the maximum leverage ratio reverted to 60%.
In January 2005, we paid a distribution to our shareholders that caused us to violate a covenant under our credit facility that restricted us from making distributions greater than 95% of our funds from operations. We received a waiver of this instance of noncompliance from our lenders. We and the lenders also agreed to modify the covenant related to the payment of dividends to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005. Under the terms of the modification, we were restricted from paying distributions to our shareholders with respect to 2005 in excess of 110% of our funds from operations. In January 2006, we paid a dividend distribution to our shareholders that, when aggregated with distributions paid to shareholders during 2005, exceeded this 110% threshold for the year ended
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December 31, 2005. We also received a waiver of this instance of noncompliance with the financial covenant from our lenders. As of January 1, 2006, the financial covenant restriction relating to these dividend payments reverted to the original terms under the credit facility, such that we are now restricted from paying aggregate distributions to our shareholders for any given year in excess of 95% of our funds from operations for that year. In addition, the credit facility also contains an affirmative covenant requiring us to provide audited financial statements within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, and unaudited quarterly financial statements within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter. As a result of the delay in the filing of this report and the filing of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we obtained waivers of these covenants from the lender syndicate that permits us to deliver our audited financial statements for the 2005 fiscal year no later than August 15, 2006. As of June 30, 2006, we have paid fees totaling approximately $470,000 in connection with the above-referenced waivers obtained during 2006.
We elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004. As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our shareholders on an annual basis. Therefore, except as discussed below, as a general matter, a substantial portion of cash generated by our operations will be used to fund distributions to shareholders and holders of limited partnership interests in our operating partnership, and will not be available to satisfy our liquidity needs.
Future dividends will be declared at the discretion of our board of trustees and will depend on our actual cash flow, our financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code and other such factors as our board of trustees deems relevant. For the first quarter of 2006, we declared a quarterly dividend distribution of $0.2275 per common share, payable to shareholders of record on March 31, 2006. We distributed this dividend on April 14, 2006, and at the same time, our operating partnership paid a distribution of $0.2275 per unit to holders of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership. For the second quarter of 2006, we declared a quarterly dividend distribution of $0.2275 per common share, payable on July 14, 2006 to shareholders of record on June 30, 2006. We cannot assure you that we will continue to have cash available for distributions at historical levels or at all. Any distributions we pay in the future will depend upon our actual results of operations, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations. We expect that during most of 2006, our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to fund our anticipated dividend distributions. Therefore, we expect to rely on amounts available under our credit facility or through other third party debt financing to fund these distributions and other capital needs. In addition, our ability to maintain our quarterly dividend payment at its current rate may be affected by the current restriction under the terms of our credit facility that preclude us from making distributions to our shareholders in excess of 95% of funds from operations for the fiscal year. Our actual results of operations will be affected by a number of factors, including: the revenue we receive from our student housing; revenues from management and consulting fees in connection with management services that we will provide for student housing properties owned by others; revenues from our military housing projects; our operating expenses; interest expense; legal and accounting costs related to the investigation of the Audit Committee of our Board and related matters; costs related to our pending class action lawsuits and the activities of the Special Committee of our Board; expenses in connection with the implementation of remedial measures to address the material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; and any unanticipated expenditures. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially adversely affect our actual results of operations, please see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of this report. Our Board may choose to pay a lower distribution in the event we are unable to obtain financing to pay our dividend at historical levels, or in order to assure compliance with applicable restrictive covenants on distributions under the terms of the credit facility.
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As of December 31, 2005, 47 of our student housing properties were encumbered by security interests relating to notes payable aggregating $688.3 million and secured by first liens on the individual assets with an aggregate cost basis of approximately $1,018.8 million, before accumulated depreciation. These notes payable had a weighted-average interest rate of 4.97%, mature at various dates between March 2007 and June 2024 and require monthly payments of principal and interest or monthly payments of interest only. In addition, we had $3.8 million in construction loan indebtedness outstanding that was secured by one of the student housing properties under development through a joint venture. This indebtedness had a interest rate of 6.28%, matures in 2008, and requires monthly payments of interest only. The table below sets forth for 2006, the five succeeding years and thereafter the aggregate annual principal payments of the above-referenced indebtedness (dollars in thousands):
2006 | $ | 6,333 | |
2007 | 47,049 | ||
2008 | 9,618 | ||
2009 | 35,293 | ||
2010 | 106,122 | ||
2011 and thereafter | 487,654 | ||
$ | 692,069 | ||
With regard to our military housing privatization projects, we are typically required to fund our portion of the equity commitment to the project's joint venture after all other sources of funding for the project have been expended. With respect to our Navy Northeast Region project, however, we were required to fund the equity commitment at commencement of the project. We made a $9.5 million equity contribution in November 2004 relating to our Navy Northeast project and, as of December 31, 2005, had contractually committed to contribute an aggregate of $2.0 million in 2006 to our Fort Hamilton project; $5.9 million in 2007 to our Walter Reed Army Medical Center/Fort Detrick project; $3.6 million in 2010 for our Fort Eustis/Fort Story project; $8.0 million in 2011 for our Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield project; and $6.3 million in 2011 for our Fort Bliss/White Sands project. In addition, during the second quarter of 2006, we contractually committed to contribute, in several phases that commence in 2011 and end in 2012, an aggregate of $4.5 million to our Fort Gordon project, and also to contribute $3.0 million in equity to our Carlisle/Picatinny project in 2011. These equity contributions help to fund the development, construction and renovation of housing units at these bases during their respective initial development periods.
Typically, we are reimbursed for certain payroll expenses relating to the student housing properties we manage for third parties, for certain costs we incur after we are awarded the right to exclusively negotiate agreements for a military housing project until we enter into agreements for the project and for transition costs we incur shortly before initiation of our management of a military housing project. However, we are required to fund these costs prior to the time we receive the reimbursements. Typically, Army and Navy projects require approximately $1.0 million to $7.0 million in costs associated with transition and exclusive negotiations, depending on the size of the project. The expenditures typically begin 12 months prior to executing an agreement for the military housing project. Accordingly, the timing between our payments and reimbursements for projects may add to our short-term liquidity needs.
If cash flows from any of our military housing privatization projects are insufficient to meet the coverage ratios or benchmarks entitling us to receive fee payments, any unpaid fees will accumulate and be subsequently paid from operations or upon dissolution of the projects to the extent that funds are available and the applicable thresholds are met. If these thresholds are not met, we will not have access to or receive certain of the fees we have earned. The unavailability of these funds would materially impact our ability to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We will be required
101
to make equity contributions at the beginning of the initial development period for typical Navy transactions and at the end of the initial development period for typical Army transactions. If cash flow is insufficient, any unpaid equity returns will accumulate as specified in the applicable project agreement and subsequently be paid from operations or upon dissolution of the projects to the extent the funds are available. Based on our current expectations regarding the terms of the debt funding for our military projects, we expect that the projects will generate sufficient cash flows to fund the reinvestment account and pay anticipated equity returns.
With regard to our currently owned student housing properties, we do not have any short-term capital commitments; however, we will require funds in connection with our anticipated acquisitions of additional student housing properties. During 2006, we expect to acquire additional student housing properties and development projects that are located in our targeted markets and that meet management's underwriting criteria for creating long-term growth potential. In an effort to conserve our available capital resources for 2006 and potentially for sometime thereafter, we expect to fund the acquisition of many of our future student housing properties and development projects through joint venture structures similar to the joint venture terms that we entered into with respect to our Orono, Maine and Bowling Green, Ohio development properties (see disclosure appearing under the section titled "BusinessOur Recent ActivitiesStudent Housing" in Part I, Item 1 of this report). The timing of any additional acquisitions or development projects will be dependent upon various factors, including the ability to complete satisfactory due diligence, to find suitable joint venture partners and agree upon mutually acceptable joint venture terms, to obtain appropriate debt financing on the properties, and the availability of capital. We intend to fund our equity portion of these joint ventures by using funds from our credit facility or from available cash from operations. We also may determine that it is appropriate to purchase additional student housing properties alone, as opposed to with a joint venture partner, depending upon many factors which may include, but are not limited to, the applicable purchase price, available capital, and projected returns with respect to the property. In addition to utilizing cash from operations and from our line of credit, we may leverage existing student housing properties which are underleveraged or unencumbered by debt to generate cash to fund the purchase of additional student housing properties or for other corporate purposes. We expect that our primary source of funding for the equity associated with the acquisition of student housing properties and development projects during the next 12 months, whether done through a joint venture structures or not, will be our credit facility and the placement of mortgage debt on the assets acquired. Depending upon the size of our student housing acquisition pipeline for the next 12 months, the timing of closings on our properties, and the amount of cash required to fund planned student housing acquisitions, we may exceed the maximum capacity available under our existing credit facility. In that event, we may pursue additional financing as opportunities arise. Future financings may include a range of different sizes or types of financing, including the sale of additional debt or equity securities. While we believe we will be able to obtain such funds, these funds may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Our ability to obtain additional financing depends on several factors, including future market conditions, the outcome of the ongoing investigation by our Audit Committee, the outcome of our current litigation, our success or lack of success in penetrating our markets, our future creditworthiness, and restrictions contained in agreements with our investors or lenders, including the restrictions contained in the agreement governing our credit facility. These financings could increase our level of indebtedness or result in dilution to our equity holders.
For the remainder of 2006, we also expect to incur significant fees in connection with the investigation performed by the Audit Committee of our Board and related matters, such as pending class action litigation, as well as the activities of the Special Committee of our Board. These fees primarily include additional legal and accounting expenses, as well as costs associated with implementing remedial measures to address the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that are described in more detail in Part II, Item 9A of this report titled "Controls and Procedures." These fees will impact the level of cash from operations that we would otherwise
102
expect to be available for the acquisition of additional student housing properties, and therefore could affect the number of acquisitions that we seek to complete during 2006.
Long-term liquidity requirements with respect to our student housing and military housing segments consist primarily of amounts necessary to fund scheduled debt maturities, renovations and other non-recurring capital expenditures that need to be made periodically at our properties, and the costs associated with acquisitions of student housing properties and awards or acquisitions of military housing privatization projects that we pursue. Historically, we have satisfied our long-term liquidity requirements through various sources of capital, including existing working capital, cash provided by operations, long-term mortgage indebtedness, equity offerings, and, with respect to fiscal year 2004, owner contributions. We now expect our long-term liquidity requirements to be satisfied primarily through cash generated by operations that is not used to fund distributions and the additional external financing sources discussed above.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations, as well as obligations under certain acquisition contracts we consider probable of completion as of December 31, 2005 for this year, the four succeeding years and thereafter, in the aggregate.
Contractual Obligations(1) |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
Thereafter |
Total |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Notes payable(2) | $ | 6,333 | $ | 47,049 | $ | 9,618 | $ | 35,293 | $ | 106,122 | $ | 487,654 | $ | 692,069 | |||||||
Operating leases(3) | 284 | 313 | 313 | 313 | 313 | 25,975 | 27,511 | ||||||||||||||
Acquisitions of properties(4) | 94,564 | | | | | | 94,564 | ||||||||||||||
Equity contribution(5) | 2,000 | 5,900 | | | 3,600 | 14,300 | 25,800 | ||||||||||||||
Employment/Consulting agreements(6) | 975 | 800 | | | | | 1,775 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 104,156 | $ | 54,062 | $ | 9,931 | $ | 35,606 | $ | 110,035 | $ | 527,929 | $ | 841,719 | ||||||||
103
Cash Distribution Policy
Commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, we filed a tax return electing to be treated as a REIT under the Code, and we expect to continue to qualify as a REIT. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent that we distribute our REIT taxable income to our shareholders, but the taxable income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to regular corporate income tax. We intend to make at least the minimum distributions required to maintain our REIT qualifications under the Code. Holders of units of our limited partnership will also be entitled to distributions of cash equivalent to dividends per share paid to our common shareholders.
Inflation
As a majority of our student housing leases are 12 months or less, rates on in-place leases generally approximate market rental rates. We believe that inflationary increases in expenses may be offset to a certain extent by rent increases upon renewal. A majority of our military housing management fees, construction/renovation fees and business development fees are based on a percentage of revenue or expenses generated by us or the military housing privatization projects. Inflationary increases in expenses may not be offset by increases in revenue.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Given current market conditions, our strategy favors fixed-rate, secured debt over variable-rate debt to minimize our exposure to increases in interest rates. As of December 31, 2005, 95% of the outstanding principal amount of our notes payable secured by properties we owned had fixed interest rates with a weighted-average rate of 4.90%. The remaining 5% of outstanding principal amount of our notes payable and our line of credit, at December 31, 2005, had variable interest rates primarily equal to LIBOR plus 1.90% to 2.125%.
As of December 31, 2005, we had $36.0 million in funds drawn from our credit facility, bearing a variable interest rate at a Eurodollar rate based on a 30-day LIBOR at 4.375% and an applicable rate of 2.125%, for a total interest rate of 6.50%.
As of December 31, 2005, based on our variable rate debt balances described above, if interest rates were to increase by 1.0%, our interest expense would increase by approximately $0.7 million on an annual basis.
104
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
|
PAGE |
|
---|---|---|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 106 | |
GMH Communities Trust Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 |
107 |
|
GMH Communities Trust and The GMH Predecessor Entities Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from November 2, 2004 through December 31, 2004, and for the Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2004 through November 1, 2004, and for the year ended December 31, 2003 |
108 |
|
GMH Communities Trust and The GMH Predecessor Entities Consolidated and Combined Statements of Beneficiaries' and Owners' Equity for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from November 2, 2004 through December 31, 2004, and for the Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2004 through November 1, 2004, and for the year ended December 31, 2003 |
109 |
|
GMH Communities Trust and The GMH Predecessor Entities Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005 and for the period from November 2, 2004 through December 31, 2004 and for the Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2004 through November 2, 2004, and for the year ended December 31, 2003 |
110 |
|
Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements |
111 |
105
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of GMH Communities Trust
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GMH Communities Trust as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, beneficiaries' equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2005 and for the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004 and the combined statements of operations, owner's equity, and cash flows of The GMH Predecessor Entities for the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2003. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(c). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Companies' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of GMH Communities Trust at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2005 and for the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004 and the combined results of operations and cash flows of The GMH Predecessor Entities for the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of GMH Communities Trust's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated July 20, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management's assessment and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
/s/
Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 27, 2006
106
GMH COMMUNITIES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and number of shares)
|
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASSETS | |||||||||
Real estate investments: | |||||||||
Student housing properties | $ | 1,210,255 | $ | 638,635 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation | 29,039 | 3,905 | |||||||
1,181,216 | 634,730 | ||||||||
Corporate assets: |
|||||||||
Corporate assets | 8,178 | 11,625 | |||||||
Accumulated depreciation | 565 | 241 | |||||||
7,613 | 11,384 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
2,240 |
60,926 |
|||||||
Restricted cash | 11,625 | 2,313 | |||||||
Accounts and other receivables, net: | |||||||||
Related party | 19,191 | 9,309 | |||||||
Third party | 2,925 | 2,257 | |||||||
Investments in military housing projects | 37,828 | 39,482 | |||||||
Deferred contract costs | 1,063 | 126 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net | 4,088 | 2,820 | |||||||
Lease intangibles, net | 3,201 | 4,994 | |||||||
Deposits | 2,856 | 1,848 | |||||||
Other assets | 4,105 | 2,872 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,277,951 | $ | 773,061 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND BENEFICIARIES' EQUITY | |||||||||
Notes payable | $ | 692,069 | $ | 370,007 | |||||
Line of credit | 36,000 | | |||||||
Accounts payable: | |||||||||
Related party | | 277 | |||||||
Third party | 5,566 | 1,160 | |||||||
Accrued expenses | 21,253 | 9,308 | |||||||
Dividends and distributions payable | 16,227 | 9,583 | |||||||
Other liabilities | 21,337 | 4,907 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 792,452 | 395,242 | |||||||
Minority interest |
188,633 |
182,118 |
|||||||
Beneficiaries' equity: | |||||||||
Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 39,699,843 and 30,350,989 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively | 40 | 30 | |||||||
Preferred shares100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding |
| | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 325,455 | 200,276 | |||||||
Unearned share compensation | (320 | ) | | ||||||
Cumulative earnings | 6,310 | 251 | |||||||
Cumulative dividends | (34,619 | ) | (4,856 | ) | |||||
Total beneficiaries' equity | 296,866 | 195,701 | |||||||
Total liabilities and beneficiaries' equity | $ | 1,277,951 | $ | 773,061 | |||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated and combined financial statements.
107
GMH COMMUNITIES TRUST AND THE GMH PREDECESSOR ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share information)
|
For the year ended December 31, 2005 (Company) |
Period from January 1 to November 1, 2004 (Predecessor) |
Period from November 2 to December 31, 2004 (Company) |
For the year ended December 31, 2003 (Predecessor) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||
Rent and other property income | $ | 132,094 | $ | 11,453 | $ | 14,197 | $ | 636 | |||||||
Expense reimbursements: |
|||||||||||||||
Related party | 57,930 | 19,494 | 13,815 | 3,273 | |||||||||||
Third party | 4,650 | 6,287 | 916 | 7,318 | |||||||||||
Management fees: | |||||||||||||||
Related party | 7,005 | 3,120 | 1,235 | 3,892 | |||||||||||
Third party | 3,774 | 3,537 | 449 | 2,624 | |||||||||||
Other fee incomerelated party | 18,321 | 4,899 | 3,561 | 842 | |||||||||||
Other income | 378 | 509 | 406 | 230 | |||||||||||
Total revenue | 224,152 | 49,299 | 34,579 | 18,815 | |||||||||||
Operating Expenses: |
|||||||||||||||
Property operating expenses | 58,664 | 14,237 | 8,518 | 9,218 | |||||||||||
Reimbursed expenses | 62,580 | 25,781 | 14,731 | 10,591 | |||||||||||
Real estate taxes | 12,191 | 824 | 1,063 | 83 | |||||||||||
Administrative expenses | 11,209 | 2,092 | 2,347 | 1,405 | |||||||||||
Profits interests and employee initial public offering bonus expense | | 37,502 | | | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 34,188 | 3,264 | 3,890 | 822 | |||||||||||
Interest | 31,025 | 2,852 | 3,220 | 396 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 209,857 | 86,552 | 33,769 | 22,515 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, minority interest and income taxes |
14,295 |
(37,253 |
) |
810 |
(3,700 |
) |
|||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities |
3,073 |
|
|
751 |
|||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest and income taxes |
17,368 |
(37,253 |
) |
810 |
(2,949 |
) |
|||||||||
Income taxes |
5,580 |
|
312 |
|
|||||||||||
Income (loss) before minority interest |
11,788 |
(37,253 |
) |
498 |
(2,949 |
) |
|||||||||
Minority interest |
5,729 |
|
247 |
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
6,059 |
$ |
(37,253 |
) |
$ |
251 |
$ |
(2,949 |
) |
|||||
Earnings per sharebasic |
$ |
0.19 |
$ |
0.01 |
|||||||||||
Earnings per sharediluted |
$ |
0.18 |
$ |
0.01 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated and combined financial statements.
108
GMH COMMUNITIES TRUST AND THE GMH PREDECESSOR ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF BENEFICIARIES' AND OWNER'S EQUITY
(in thousands, except number of shares and per share
information)
|
|
The Company |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Predecessor |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Par Value of Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Owner's Equity |
Common Shares |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Unearned Share Compensation |
Cumulative Earnings |
Cumulative Dividends |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2003 | $ | 437 | | $ | | $ | | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
Cash contributions | 14,302 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Cash distributions | (8,196 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Net loss | (2,949 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2003 | 3,594 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Cash contributions | 129,330 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Cash distributions | (32,253 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Profits interest (See Note 9) | 33,180 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net property contributions | 1,992 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net loss from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004 | (37,253 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Exchange of equity for units of limited partnership | (13,255 | ) | | 13,255 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at November 1, 2004 | 85,335 | | | 13,255 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Sale of common stock, net of offering costs | | 30,350,989 | 30 | 331,695 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Redemption of Vornado's Class B partnership interests (see Note 1) | (77,300 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Cash distributions | (8,035 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Transfer to minority interest (see Note 2) | | | | (144,674 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||
Dividends ($0.16 per common share) | | | | | | | (4,856 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net income from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004 | | | | | | 251 | | |||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2004 | | 30,350,989 | 30 | 200,276 | | 251 | (4,856 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Transfer of Corporate Flight Services to Gary M. Holloway, Sr. (see Note 8) | | | | 87 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Sale of common stock, net of offering costs | | 9,315,000 | 10 | 124,641 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Dividends ($0.91 per common share) | | | | | | | (29,763 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued to non-employee trustees | | 33,854 | | 451 | (451 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of share compensation | | | | | 131 | | | |||||||||||||||
Net income for year ended December 31, 2005 | | | | | | 6,059 | | |||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2005 | $ | | 39,699,843 | $ | 40 | $ | 325,455 | $ | (320 | ) | $ | 6,310 | $ | (34,619 | ) | |||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated and combined financial statements.
109
GMH COMMUNITIES TRUST AND THE GMH PREDECESSOR ENTITIES
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
|
For the year ended December 31, 2005 (Company) |
Period from January 1 to November 1, 2004 (Predecessor) |
Period from November 2, to December 31, 2004 (Company) |
For the year ended December 31, 2003 (Predecessor) |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 6,059 | $ | (37,253 | ) | $ | 251 | $ | (2,949 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 25,678 | 2,372 | 2,469 | 822 | ||||||||||||
Amortization: | ||||||||||||||||
Lease intangibles | 8,235 | 893 | 1,421 | | ||||||||||||
Notes payable fair value adjustment | (2,242 | ) | (295 | ) | (374 | ) | | |||||||||
Deferred loan costs | 1,245 | 60 | 329 | 19 | ||||||||||||
Other amortization | 406 | | | | ||||||||||||
Bad debt expense | 1,632 | | | | ||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | (3,073 | ) | | | (751 | ) | ||||||||||
Minority interest | 5,729 | | 247 | | ||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | (9,312 | ) | (2,595 | ) | 282 | | ||||||||||
Accounts and other receivables | (13,198 | ) | (4,737 | ) | (2,076 | ) | (327 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred contract costs | (937 | ) | (5,972 | ) | 5,785 | (302 | ) | |||||||||
Deposits and other assets | (2,241 | ) | (7,040 | ) | 13,529 | (37 | ) | |||||||||
Accounts payable | 4,129 | 4,175 | (2,455 | ) | 282 | |||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 28,192 | 11,564 | (5,472 | ) | | |||||||||||
Accrued profits interest | | 33,180 | | | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 50,302 | (5,648 | ) | 13,936 | (3,242 | ) | ||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Property acquisitions | (407,428 | ) | (167,140 | ) | (272,975 | ) | | |||||||||
Capitalized expenditures | (20,316 | ) | (87 | ) | (207 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||||
Distributions received from unconsolidated entities | 5,468 | | | 751 | ||||||||||||
Contributions to unconsolidated entities | | | (10,600 | ) | (2,345 | ) | ||||||||||
Purchase of management contract | | (1,189 | ) | | | |||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (422,276 | ) | (168,416 | ) | (283,782 | ) | (1,615 | ) | ||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Owner distributions | (50,987 | ) | (32,253 | ) | (126,463 | ) | (8,196 | ) | ||||||||
Owner contributions | | 129,330 | 41,128 | 14,302 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from notes payable | 277,989 | 103,898 | 61,470 | | ||||||||||||
Repayment of notes payable | (71,852 | ) | (808 | ) | (507 | ) | (830 | ) | ||||||||
Line of credit borrowings | 306,000 | | | | ||||||||||||
Line of credit payments | (270,000 | ) | | | | |||||||||||
Payment of financing costs | (2,513 | ) | (1,031 | ) | (2,165 | ) | | |||||||||
Proceeds of public offerings | 132,749 | | 342,359 | | ||||||||||||
Costs related to public offerings | (8,098 | ) | (5,443 | ) | (5,194 | ) | | |||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 313,288 | 193,693 | 310,628 | 5,276 | ||||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(58,686 |
) |
19,629 |
40,782 |
419 |
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
60,926 |
515 |
20,144 |
96 |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ |
2,240 |
$ |
20,144 |
$ |
60,926 |
$ |
515 |
||||||||
Supplemental information |
||||||||||||||||
Real estate acquired by assuming debt including debt premium | $ | 122,376 | $ | 128,622 | $ | 61,258 | $ | | ||||||||
Issuance of units of limited partnership interest for purchase of student housing properties | $ | 28,570 | $ | | $ | 8,054 | $ | | ||||||||
Property distributed at net book value | $ | 3,854 | $ | (381 | ) | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Debt distributed at net book value | $ | 4,208 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Issuance of units of limited partnership interest for purchase of military housing joint venture | $ | | $ | | $ | 31,000 | $ | | ||||||||
Furniture and computers contributed at net book value | $ | | $ | 463 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Interest paid | $ | 28,686 | $ | 2,142 | $ | 2,617 | $ | 379 | ||||||||
Income taxes paid | $ | 5,115 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated and combined financial statements.
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GMH COMMUNITIES TRUST AND THE GMH PREDECESSOR ENTITIES
Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization
GMH Communities Trust (the "Trust," the "Company," or sometimes referred to as "we") elected to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2004. The Trust was formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust in May 2004 and prior to completion of our initial public offering, had no operations. We completed our initial public offering on November 2, 2004, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 30,350,989 common shares of beneficial interest at an offering price of $12.00 per share, and raised an aggregate of $331.7 million in net proceeds, after deducting the underwriters' discount and other offering-related expenses. We contributed the net proceeds from the offering to our operating partnership, GMH Communities, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Operating Partnership"), in exchange for units of partnership interest. As of December 31, 2005, the Operating Partnership had 71,327,160 units of partnership interest outstanding, of which the Trust owned 39,118,674 units of limited partnership interest; and through a wholly-owned subsidiary, GMH Communities GP Trust, the Trust owned 581,169 units of general partnership interest, which represents 100% of the general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2005, there were 31,627,317 units of limited partnership interest outstanding that were not owned by the Company.
On October 4, 2005, we sold 9,315,000 common shares of beneficial interest, including 1,215,000 shares issued upon full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, at an offering price of $14.25 per share. The Company raised an aggregate of $124.6 million in net proceeds from the offering after deducting the underwriters' discounts, payment of financial advisory fees and other offering-related expenses. The net proceeds of this offering, which the Company contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for units of partnership interest, were used by the Operating Partnership to repay outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility.
We, through the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries, are 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 located on or near military bases throughout the United States. Through the Operating Partnership, we own and operate our student housing properties and the interests in joint ventures that own military housing privatization projects ("military housing projects").
Formation Transactions
The Operating Partnership commenced operations on July 27, 2004, when Gary M. Holloway, Sr., our chairman, president, and chief executive officer, Vornado Realty Trust ("Vornado"), and certain entities affiliated with Mr. Holloway and Vornado, entered into an agreement to contribute various assets to the Operating Partnership. Under the terms of the contribution agreement, Mr. Holloway contributed equity interests relating to student housing properties and military housing projects owned by him and by entities affiliated with him, including College Park Management, Inc., GMH Military Housing, LLC, other entities owning a 10% interest in four student housing properties, and other related assets in exchange for 66,000 Class A partnership interests in the Operating Partnership. Vornado agreed to contribute up to $159.0 million to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 34,000 Class B partnership interests. In connection with its investment in the Operating Partnership, Vornado
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also purchased a warrant for $1.0 million to acquire, at its option, a number of units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, common shares in the Trust, or a combination of both, representing a 38.264% economic interest in the Operating Partnership or the Trust, as the case may be, immediately prior to completion of our initial public offering. The proceeds from sale of the warrant are included in minority interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition, in connection with the closing of our initial public offering on November 2, 2004, Mr. Holloway further contributed his interests in 353 Associates, L.P. and Corporate Flight Services, LLC, a student housing property and other related assets to the Operating Partnership. We collectively refer to College Park Management, Inc., GMH Military Housing, LLC, 353 Associates, L.P. and Corporate Flight Services, LLC, together with the Operating Partnership, as The GMH Predecessor Entities.
The following are descriptions of each of The GMH Predecessor Entities, other than the Operating Partnership:
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Mr. Holloway contributed 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Corporate Flight Services, LLC to the Operating Partnership. In February 2005, the Company transferred its interest in Corporate Flight Services, LLC, including the corporate aircraft and associated debt initially contributed to the Operating Partnership at the time of the initial public offering, back to Mr. Holloway. See Note 8.
The exchange of contributed interests has been accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control. Accordingly, the contributed assets and assumed liabilities have been recorded at the historical cost of The GMH Predecessor Entities.
Redemption of Operating Partnership Interests
Prior to our initial public offering, Vornado and Mr. Holloway were the sole equity holders of the Operating Partnership and each held, through affiliated entities, general partnership interests in the Operating Partnership. Concurrent with the closing of the Company's initial public offering on November 2, 2004, we became the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. In accordance with the terms of the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership and concurrent with the completion of our initial public offering on November 2, 2004, we paid approximately $77.3 million to Vornado relating to the redemption of all of Vornado's Class B partnership interests in the Operating Partnership based on Vornado's $113.8 million contribution to the Operating Partnership as of the date of the offering, plus a preferential return in the amount of $13.5 million, and after giving effect to the surrender by Vornado of $50.0 million in value of its pre-offering partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, as payment for the portion of its warrant required to be exercised upon completion of our initial public offering under the terms of the warrant. 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, which represented a 20.972% economic interest in the Operating Partnership immediately prior to our initial public offering. As of December 31, 2005, the remaining portion of the warrant was exercisable for up to 5,976,127 units of limited partnership interest of the Operating Partnership or common shares of GMH Communities Trust, at an exercise price of $8.37 per unit or common share, at any time until May 2, 2006. 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.
In addition, in connection with the redemption of Vornado's Class B interests in the Operating Partnership and amendment to the partnership agreement for the Operating Partnership on November 2, 2004, Mr. Holloway's Class A limited partnership interest and managing general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership were exchanged for 19,624,294 limited partnership units and Mr. Holloway contributed additional assets to the Operating Partnership, including interests in entities that own our corporate headquarters and aircraft and interests in an additional student housing property.
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of GMH Communities Trust included herein present the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31,
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2005 and the period from November 2, 2004 through December 31, 2004. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated.
The financial statements of The GMH Predecessor Entities included herein present the combined results of their operations and their cash flows for the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004 and for the full year ended December 31, 2003. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect various amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Real Estate Investments and Corporate Assets
We carry real estate investments and corporate assets at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Cost of acquired assets includes the purchase price and related closing costs. We allocate the cost of real estate investments to net tangible and identified intangible assets based on relative fair values in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141 ("SFAS 141"), Business Combinations. We estimate fair value based on information obtained from a number of sources, including our due diligence, marketing and leasing activities, independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, and other market data.
The value of in-place leases is based on the difference between (i) the property valued with existing in-place leases and (ii) the property valued as if vacant. As lease terms typically are 12 months or less, actual rates on in-place leases generally approximate market rental rates. Factors that we consider in the valuation of in-place leases include an estimate of incremental carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and nature of the tenancy. Purchase prices of student housing properties to be acquired are not expected to be allocated to tenant relationships considering the terms of the leases and the expected levels of renewals. We amortize the value of in-place leases to expense over the remaining term of the respective leases, which is generally one year or less. Accumulated amortization related to intangible lease costs was $3.2 million at December 31, 2005 and $2.3 million at December 31, 2004.
We expense routine repair and maintenance expenditures that do not improve the value of an asset or extend its useful life, including turnover costs. We capitalize expenditures that improve the value and extend the useful life of an asset. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally 40 years for buildings including student housing properties and the commercial office building, and three to five years for residential furniture and appliances. During the third quarter of each fiscal year, the Company typically will experience an increase in property operating expenses over other quarters as a result of repair and maintenance expenditures relating to turnover of units at student housing properties. The Company's student
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housing lease terms generally commence in August or September to coincide with the beginning of the academic year. Accordingly, the Company expects to incur a majority of its repair and maintenance costs in the third quarter to prepare for new residents.
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 ("SFAS 144"), Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as real estate investments and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to, operational performance, market conditions and competition from other off-campus properties and on-campus housing, legal and environmental concerns, and results of appraisals or other information obtained as part of a financing or disposition strategy. When required, we review recoverability of assets to be held and used through a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset determined using customary valuation techniques, such as the present value of expected future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and no longer would be depreciated.
Cash Equivalents
All highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of security deposits and cash held as escrow for real estate taxes, capital expenditures and other amounts, as required by the terms of various loan agreements.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We estimate the collectibility of receivables generated by rental and other income as a result of the operation of our student housing properties. If we believe that the collectibility of certain amounts is questionable, we record a specific reserve for these amounts to reduce the amount outstanding to an amount we believe will be collectible and a reserve for all other accounts based on a range of percentages applied to aging categories, which is based on historical collection and write-off experience.
We also evaluate the collectibility of fee income and expense reimbursements generated by the management of student housing properties owned by others and through the provision of development, construction, renovation, and management services to our military housing projects based upon the individual facts and circumstances, and record a reserve for specific amounts, if necessary.
Accounts receivable are presented net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $710,000 at December 31, 2005 and $159,000 at December 31, 2004.
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Deferred Financing Costs
Costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related loan, which is not materially different than the effective interest method. Amortization of deferred financing costs is included in interest expense. Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs was $1.2 million at December 31, 2005 and $0.3 million at December 31, 2004.
Deferred Contract Costs
Deferred contract costs include costs attributable to a specific military housing project incurred in connection with seeking Congressional approval of a Community Development and Management Plan, or CDMP, subsequent to the project being awarded by the Department of Defense, or DoD. In addition, deferred contract costs also include transition and closing costs incurred that are expected to be reimbursed by the military housing project. Such amounts are evaluated as to the probability of recovery and costs that are not considered probable of recovery are written off. Revenue is recognized and the related costs are expensed at the time that the reimbursement for preparing the CDMP is approved by Congress or at closing of the military housing project.
Deposits
Deposits primarily consist of amounts paid to third parties in connection with planned acquisitions and amounts paid to lenders that provide related financing or the refinancing of existing loans. At December 31, 2005, deposits for planned acquisitions totaled $2.1 million, deposits related to financings totaled $0.2 million and other deposits not related to acquisitions or financings totaled $0.6 million. At December 31, 2004, deposits for planned acquisitions totaled $0.8 million, deposits related to financings totaled $1.0 million, and other deposits not related to acquisitions or financing totaled $0.4 million.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and other receivables, deposits, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, dividends and distributions payable, and other liabilities approximate fair value because of the relatively short-term nature of these instruments.
The carrying value and fair value of fixed-rate notes payable at December 31, 2005 was $658.4 million and $652.6 million, respectively. Fair value was estimated using rates the Company believed were available to it as of December 31, 2005 for debt with similar terms. The carrying value of variable-rate notes payable approximates fair value at December 31, 2005.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $1.7 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004, the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004, and the year ended December 31, 2003 respectively.
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Revenue Recognition
Student Housing Segment
Rental revenue is recognized when due over the lease terms, which are generally 12 months or less.
Other property income, including, but not limited to, lease processing fees, move-in fees, and activity fees is recognized as earned throughout the course of the year. The timing of these fees typically fluctuates in relation to the academic year leasing cycle.
Standard management fees are based on a percentage of monthly cash receipts or gross monthly rental and other revenues generated by the properties managed for others. We recognize these fees on a monthly basis as the services are performed.
Incentive management fees are earned as a result of the achievement of certain operating performance criteria over a specified period by certain managed properties, including targeted annual debt service coverage ratios of the properties. We recognize these fees at the amount that would be due under the contract if the contract was terminated on the balance sheet date.
Expense reimbursements are comprised primarily of salary and related costs of certain of our employees working at certain properties we manage for others, the cost of which is reimbursed by the owners of the related properties. We accrue operating expense reimbursements as the related expenses are incurred.
Military Housing Segment
Standard and incentive management fees, based on a percentage of effective gross revenue generated by the military housing privatization projects from the basic allowance for housing (BAH) provided by the government to service members are recognized when the revenue is earned by the military housing projects. Incentive management fees are based upon the satisfaction of certain criteria including, among other things, satisfying designated benchmarks relating to emergency work order response, occupancy rates, home turnover and resident satisfaction surveys. Incentive management fees are recognized when the various criteria stipulated in the management contract have been satisfied. Accrued and unbilled incentive management fees of $1.0 million and $0.3 million are included in accounts receivablerelated party at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
Standard and incentive development and construction/renovation fees, based on a percentage of development and construction/renovation costs incurred by the military housing projects, including hard and soft costs and financing costs, are recognized on a monthly basis as the costs are incurred by the military housing projects. Incentive development and construction/renovation fees are based upon the satisfaction of certain criteria including, among other things, completing a number of houses according to schedule, achieving specific safety records and implementing small business or minority subcontracting plans. Incentive development and construction/renovation fees are recognized when the various criteria stipulated in the contract have been satisfied. Accrued and unbilled incentive development and construction/renovation fees of $2.7 million and $0.3 million are included in accounts receivablerelated party at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
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Revenues on fixed-price renovation contracts are recorded on the percentage-of-completion method. When the percentage-of-completion method is used, contract revenue is recognized in the ratio that costs incurred to date bear to estimated costs at completion. Adjustments to cost estimates are made in the period in which the facts requiring such revisions become known. When the revised estimates indicate a loss, such loss is currently provided for in its entirety.
Business development fees are earned from our business partners that provide architectural and design or construction services for our military housing privatization projects. These fees are received in connection with pursuing and coordinating the completion of military housing projects. The fees consist of (i) an annual base fee, which is a fee paid to the Company in consideration of the Company's ongoing pursuit of additional projects and is not contingent upon the success of those efforts and can be cancelled at any time, and (ii) an additional fee, which is paid over the course of an awarded project based on a percentage of revenue earned by these business partners for providing services to our military housing projects. The base fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related business development agreement, which is generally one year. The additional fee is recognized and paid to us as the related services are provided to our military housing projects by our business partners.
In certain instances, the 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 (i) paid in proportion to the amount of pre-construction/renovation costs incurred by us for the project, and (ii) recognized as revenue upon performance of the pre-construction/renovation services.
The Company earns equity returns on its investments in military housing projects. During the initial development period for a project, the equity returns are a fixed percentage of our investment and subsequent to the initial development period for a project, the equity returns are based on a fixed percentage of our investment and on the project's net operating income, subject to cash distribution caps, as defined in the operating agreements related to the particular project. As of December 31, 2005, only the Fort Carson project had passed its initial development period.
Expense reimbursements primarily include payroll and related expenses, incurred for certain employees engaged in the operation of certain military housing projects under management, and other operating expenses that are reimbursed to the Company by the owner of the related property.
Minority Interest
Minority interest as initially reported at the date of our initial public offering represented the net equity of the Operating Partnership, including the proceeds received from the sale of the warrant to Vornado, multiplied by the ownership percentage of holders of limited partnership units in the Operating Partnership other than the Company. The Operating Partnership is obligated to redeem, at the request of a holder, each unit of limited partnership interest for cash or common shares on a one-for-one basis, at the Company's option, subject to adjustments for share splits, dividends, recapitalizations and similar events; except that Gary M. Holloway, Sr. has the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem his and his affiliates' units of limited partnership interest for common shares, subject to his restriction from owning more than 20% of the Company's outstanding common
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shares. If the minority interest unitholders' share of a current year loss would cause the minority interest balance to be less than zero, the minority interest balance will be reported as zero unless there is an obligation of the minority interest holders to fund those losses. Any losses in excess of the minority interest will be charged against equity. If future earnings materialize, equity will be credited for all earnings up to the amount of those losses previously absorbed. Distributions to limited partnership unitholders other than the Company are recorded as a reduction to minority interest.
Investments in Military Housing Projects and Student Housing Joint Ventures
Military housing projects are joint ventures entered into between the Company and the U.S. military to design, develop, construct/renovate and manage the military family housing located on or near various bases throughout the United States. The Company evaluates its investments in military housing project joint ventures in which we have a variable interest to determine if the underlying entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE") as defined under FASB Financial Interpretation No. 46 (as revised) ("FIN 46(R)"). The Company has concluded that each of the military housing project joint ventures in which it has a variable interest is a VIE and that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs. We record our investments in joint ventures under our military housing projects in accordance with the equity method of accounting. Our investment is initially recorded at cost, and then subsequently adjusted at each balance sheet date to an amount equal to what we would receive from the joint venture in the event that it were liquidated at net book value as of that date, and assuming that the proceeds from the liquidation are distributed in accordance with the terms of, and priority of returns set forth under, the joint venture's operating agreement. The Company has exposure to loss to the extent of its investments, if any, and any receivables due from the project.
The Company entered into a joint venture in the third quarter of 2005 to develop and construct two student housing properties. The Company is accounting for the transaction as a financing arrangement because it has the option to purchase the joint venture partners' interest in the joint venture within one year of completion of the properties and because the Company has provided certain guarantees for the completion of construction and for a portion of the construction loans. Therefore, the Company accounts for its investment in the joint venture by including its assets and liabilities in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2004. To continue to qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we currently distribute at least 90% of our adjusted taxable income to our shareholders. We believe we are organized and operate in a manner that allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, and it is our intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain the Company's REIT status in the future. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, other than with respect to the Company's taxable REIT subsidiaries.
In conformity with the Code and applicable state and local tax statutes, taxable income or loss of The GMH Predecessor Entities was required to be reported in the tax returns of Gary M. Holloway, Sr. and Vornado, as such entities were treated as pass-through entities for tax purposes. Accordingly, no income tax provision has been reflected in the accompanying combined statements of operations of The GMH Predecessor Entities.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123R, as revised, "Share-Based Payment."SFAS No. 123R replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." The scope of SFAS No. 123R includes a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights, and employee stock purchase plans. SFAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize in their financial statements the compensation expense relating to share-based payment transactions. Prior to the effective date of this revision, SFAS No. 123 permitted entities the option of applying the guidance in APB Opinion No. 25, as long as the footnotes to the financial statements disclosed what net income (loss) would have been had the company used the preferable fair-value-based method. The Company will be required to implement SFAS No. 123R for the year beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 123R is not expected to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In November 2004, the Company established an equity incentive plan (the "Plan") that provides for the issuance of up to 2,000,000 common shares pursuant to options, restricted share awards, share appreciation rights, performance units and other equity based awards. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company issued 33,854 restricted common shares under the Plan to non-employee members of the Company's Board of Trustees. The restricted common shares vest over a three-year period from the grant date. The restricted common shares are entitled to the same dividend and voting rights during the vesting period as the issued and outstanding common shares. The fair value of the awards was calculated based on the closing market price of the Company's common shares on the grant date and is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. In 2005, the Company recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the restricted common shares of $131,000. The Company did not issue any shares under the Plan in 2004.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to be consistent with the current period presentation.
3. Real Estate Investments and Acquisitions
As of December 31, 2005, the Company owned 54 student housing properties located near 42 colleges and universities in 24 states. These properties contain an aggregate of 10,236 units and 33,340 beds. The Company's investment in student housing properties at December 31, 2005 and 2004, which
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includes construction in progress relating to two student housing properties under development pursuant to a joint venture with an institutional investor, was as follows (in thousands):
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2005 |
2004 |
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Land(a) | $ | 110,634 | $ | 53,965 | ||
Building and improvements(a) | 1,055,157 | 572,371 | ||||
Residential furniture and appliances | 26,159 | 12,299 | ||||
Construction in Progress | 18,305 | | ||||
$ | 1,210,255 | $ | 638,635 | |||
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company acquired 24 student housing properties and three undeveloped parcels of land with an aggregate of 4,753 units and 14,302 beds for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $548.5 million. The Company estimated $6.4 million of the aggregate purchase price to be the fair value of the in-place leases acquired. The results of operations of these properties are included in the accompanying statements of operations with the respective acquisition dates.
Gary M. Holloway, Sr. and four other employees of the Company, including two executive officers of the Company, and an employee of an entity owned by Mr. Holloway, held an ownership interest in two student housing properties that were acquired by the Company during the first quarter of 2005 for a total purchase price of $38.2 million. The Company paid $36.5 million in cash to investors in the selling entity not affiliated with the Company and issued a total of 141,549 units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership to Mr. Holloway and these individuals with an aggregate fair value of $1.7 million in connection with the purchase. The fair value of the limited partnership units was based on the closing price of the Company's common shares on the acquisition date. The fair value of the units of limited partnership interest was recorded as an increase to minority interest.
In connection with the acquisition of two other student housing properties in the second quarter of 2005, the Company issued a total of 1,940,282 units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership to the sellers with an aggregate fair value of $26.9 million. The fair value of the limited partnership units was based on the closing price of the Company's common shares on the acquisition date. The fair value of the units of limited partnership interest was recorded as an increase to minority interest.
In August 2005, the Company entered into a joint venture with an institutional investor to develop and construct two student housing properties, located in Orono, Maine and Bowling Green, Ohio, with estimated aggregate costs of $43.4 million for acquiring, developing and constructing a total of 576 beds. The Company is accounting for the transaction as a financing arrangement because the Company originally owned the land and contributed it to the joint venture and the Company has the option to purchase the joint venture partner's interest in the joint venture within one year of completion of the properties and because the Company has provided certain guarantees for the completion of construction and for a portion of the construction loans. Therefore, the Company accounts for its
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investment in the joint venture by including the joint venture's assets and liabilities in the Company's consolidated financial statements. Interest cost of $0.5 million has been capitalized in 2005. The Company has agreed to fund the cost of construction overruns for these properties, and has entered into guaranteed maximum price contracts with the general contractor for the properties unless such overruns result from change orders from the original construction plan.
4. Investments in Military Housing Projects
We record our investments in joint ventures under our military housing projects in accordance with the equity method of accounting. Our investment is initially recorded at cost, and then subsequently adjusted at each balance sheet date to an amount equal to what we would receive from the joint venture in the event that it were liquidated at net book value as of that date, and assuming that the proceeds from the liquidation are distributed in accordance with the terms of, and priority of returns set forth under, the joint venture's operating agreement. The terms of the various agreements generally provide for the payment to the Company of an agreed upon preferred return on the Company's invested capital and a return of the Company's invested capital prior to the distribution of any amounts to the government entity that is a member of the joint venture.
In November 2003, GMH Military Housing, LLC and FW Military Housing LLC formed a joint venture known as GMH Military Housing-Fort Carson LLC, which acquired the ownership interests of an unrelated bankrupt entity that was a member of Fort Carson Family Housing LLC, the entity that owned the Fort Carson military housing project and the rights to exclusively negotiate the Fort Eustis/Fort Story project. GMH Military Housing, LLC contributed approximately $2.4 million to GMH Military Housing-Fort Carson LLC in return for its 10% interest in the joint venture. The 10% ownership interest in the joint venture was accounted for using the equity method of accounting from the acquisition date in November 2003 through November 1, 2004. In connection with our initial public offering on November 2, 2004, the remaining 90% interest in the joint venture was acquired in exchange for the issuance to FW Military Housing LLC of 2,583,334 units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership having a value of $31.0 million. This acquisition was recorded at the fair value of the consideration paid. The underlying book value of the equity on the acquisition date was approximately $11.5 million. The remaining $19.5 million is being amortized based on the then current fiscal year revenue as a percentage of the estimated revenue to be earned over the remaining lives of the projects, which is 45 years for the Fort Carson project and 50 years for the Forts Eustis/Fort Story project. Amortization expense was $0.3 million for 2005.
During 2005, the Company received $4.5 million of equity distributions from Fort Carson Family Housing LLC. The carrying value of the Company's investment was $26.1 million at December 31, 2005 and $28.7 million at December 31, 2004. The Company is entitled to a preferred return on its investment in Fort Carson Family Housing LLC, plus 30% of the project's net operating income. The project began repaying the Company's equity investment in Fort Carson Family Housing LLC in July 2005. The equity investment is expected to be completely repaid by 2015.
In November 2004, the Company and Benham Military Communities, LLC formed a joint venture known as GMH/Benham Military Communities LLC for the purpose of investing in the Navy Northeast Region military housing project. The Company contributed $9.5 million to GMH/Benham Military Communities LLC in return for a 90% interest and Benham Military Communities, LLC invested
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$1.1 million for the remaining 10% interest. The Company consolidates GMH/Benham Military Communities LLC as it has a 90% economic interest and controls a majority of the voting interests. Benham Military Communities, LLC's 10% interest is accounted for as minority interest and is included in accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004. In November 2004, GMH/Benham Military Communities, LLC invested $10.6 million in Northeast Housing LLC, which owns and operates the Navy Northeast Region military housing project. GMH/Benham Military Communities LLC is entitled to a preferred return on its investment in Northeast Housing LLC. The preferred return will accrue, but not be paid, until the end of the initial development period for the project in October 2010. The carrying value of this investment was $11.7 million at December 31, 2005 and $10.8 million at December 31, 2004.
5. Income Taxes
The Company operates in a manner intended to enable it to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a REIT, the Company generally is not subject to federal income tax (including alternative minimum tax) on net income that it currently distributes to its shareholders, provided that the Company satisfies certain organizational and operational requirements including the requirement to distribute at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. The Company is subject to certain state and local taxes.
The Company has elected to treat certain of its corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (each a "TRS"). In general, a TRS of the Company may perform additional services for tenants of the Company and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business (except for the operation or management of health care facilities or lodging facilities). A TRS is subject to corporate federal and state income tax. The TRS follows SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires the use of the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes represent the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The TRS has recorded a deferred tax asset of $741 in 2005 related to development fees received and recognized for income tax purposes that have been deferred in the accompanying financial statements.
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The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following for the year ended 2005 and for the period November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004:
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2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current federal | $ | 5,334 | $ | 263 | |||
Current state | 987 | 49 | |||||
Total current | $ | 6,321 | $ | 312 | |||
Deferred federal |
(630 |
) |
0 |
||||
Deferred state | (111 | ) | 0 | ||||
Total deferred | $ | (741 | ) | $ | 0 | ||
Provision for income tax expense |
$ |
5,580 |
$ |
312 |
|||
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to income before provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate of the taxable REIT subsidiaries was 35.05% for the year ended December 31, 2005 and 24.9% for the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004. The Company's effective tax rate is lower than the statutory tax rate as a result of the permanent depreciation and amortization differences between income subject to income tax for book and tax purposes.
6. Notes Payable
During the year ended December 31, 2005, fixed-rate notes payable totaling $118.9 million were assumed in connection with the acquisition of eight student housing properties. These notes require monthly payments of principal and/or interest, bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 4.92% to 7.09%, and mature at various dates through 2024. In addition, the purchase accounting for these properties required that the net carrying value of these notes be increased by $3.4 million to record them at their estimated fair value. The fair value of the notes was calculated as the difference between the present value of the notes using a current estimated market rate of interest and the outstanding principal amount. This amount is being amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the related debt.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, fixed-rate notes payable totaling $194.9 million were obtained in connection with the acquisition of 13 student housing properties. These notes require monthly payments of principal and/or interest, bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 4.54% to 5.22%, and mature at various dates through 2015. In September 2005, the Company placed $21.3 million of fixed-rate mortgage debt on a previously unencumbered student housing property that was acquired in 2004 with proceeds from the Company's line of credit. This new fixed-rate debt requires monthly payments of interest only at a rate of 5.28% and matures in 2015.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, variable-rate notes payable totaling $16.0 million were obtained in connection with the acquisition of two student housing properties. These notes require monthly payments of interest only at LIBOR plus 1.90% to 2.05% (LIBOR on these loans was 4.31% at December 31, 2005) and mature at various dates through 2015.
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In December 2005, the Company refinanced $42.1 million of variable-rate mortgage debt on one student housing property with an equal amount of fixed-rate mortgage debt requiring monthly payments of interest only at a rate of 5.50% and matures in 2015.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, fixed-rate notes payable totaling $179.5 million were assumed relating to the acquisition of 14 student housing properties. These notes require monthly payments of principal and/or interest, bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 4.55% to 8.18%, and mature at various dates through 2014. In addition, the purchase accounting for these properties required that the net carrying value of these notes be increased by $11.3 million to record them at their estimated fair value. The fair value of the notes was calculated as the difference between the present value of the notes using a current estimated market rate of interest and the outstanding principal amount. This amount is being amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the related debt.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, variable-rate notes payable totaling $170.0 million were obtained in connection with the acquisition of nine student housing properties. On February 24, 2005, the Company completed the refinancing of its existing variable-rate notes on seven of these student housing properties. In connection with the refinancing, the Company repaid approximately $20.4 million of the total $113.6 million of indebtedness secured by these seven properties, and replaced the remaining $93.2 million of variable-rate debt with an equal amount of fixed-rate debt with interest rates ranging from 4.24% to 4.7% and maturity terms ranging from five to seven years. The remaining two notes require payments of interest only at LIBOR plus 2.05% (LIBOR on these loans was 4.31% at December 31, 2005) and mature at various dates in 2007.
At December 31, 2004, the Company had a note payable in the amount of $5.8 million, secured by the corporate headquarters, that required monthly payments of principal and interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%. In addition, the corporate office furniture was financed with a note that had a remaining balance of $91,000 at December 31, 2004, and required monthly payments of principal and interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%. Both of these notes payable matured and were repaid in 2005.
As of December 31, 2005, 47 of our student housing properties were encumbered by security interests relating to notes payable aggregating $688.3 million and secured by first liens on the individual assets with an aggregate cost basis of approximately $1,018.8 million before accumulated depreciation. These notes payable had a weighted-average interest rate of 4.97%, mature at various dates between March 2007 and June 2024 and require monthly payments of principal and interest or monthly payments of interest only. In addition, we had $3.8 million in construction loan indebtedness outstanding that was secured by one of the student housing properties under development through a joint venture. This indebtedness had a interest rate of 6.28%, matures in 2008, and requires monthly
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payments of interest only. The table below sets forth for 2006, the five succeeding years and thereafter the aggregate annual principal payments of the above-referenced indebtedness (dollars in thousands):
2006 | $ | 6,333 | |
2007 | 47,049 | ||
2008 | 9,618 | ||
2009 | 35,293 | ||
2010 | 106,122 | ||
2011 and thereafter | 487,654 | ||
$ | 692,069 | ||
7. Line of Credit
In November 2004, the Company entered into a $150 million three-year unsecured revolving credit facility, subject to increase to $250 million (the "Credit Facility"), with a consortium of banks. The Credit Facility provides for the issuance of up to $20 million of letters of credit, which is included in the $150 million available under the Credit Facility. The Company's availability under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2005 was limited to a borrowing base amount equal to the sum of 60% of the value of an unencumbered asset pool (which as of December 31, 2005 consisted of seven student housing properties, and in no event could contain fewer than five student housing properties) as of the end of the previous quarter and 50% of the annualized value of the Company's cash flow from the management, development and construction/renovation fees received in connection with military housing projects and from the management of student housing properties in the previous quarter, provided that the total cash flow attributable to annualized management fees did not exceed 50% of the borrowing base.
The Company may elect to have amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at a Eurodollar rate based on LIBOR or the prime rate, plus an applicable rate, ranging from 1.625% to 2.375% for Eurodollar rate loans or 0.75% to 1.75% for prime rate loans. The applicable rate is determined by the leverage ratio of total liabilities to total asset value of the Company, as defined in the Credit Facility. In addition, the Company pays fees for unused availability on the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants and also contains financial covenants that, among other things, as of December 31, 2005, (i) required the Company to maintain a total leverage ratio equal to or less than 65% through December 31, 2005 (at the end of the first quarter of 2006, the maximum total leverage ratio decreased to 60%), (ii) limited the aggregate amount of outstanding variable-rate indebtedness to 30% of total indebtedness commencing February 8, 2005, (iii) limited the payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders to 110% of funds from operations as defined in the Credit Facility, (iv) limited the amount of recourse debt, exclusive of amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility, to $25 million, and in no event greater than $150 million in total, and (v) required the Company to maintain a consolidated tangible net worth, as defined in the Credit Facility, of at least $275 million plus an amount equal to 75% of the net proceeds from any equity issuances subsequent to the closing date of the Credit Facility in November 2004. The financial covenants as of December 31, 2005 also required the Company to operate in compliance with
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the following ratios as defined by the terms of the Credit Facility: (i) fixed charge coverage ratio equal to or greater than 1.75x; (ii) interest coverage ratio equal to or greater than 2.00x; and (iii) unsecured interest coverage ratio equal to or greater than 2.25x.
In January 2005, the Company paid a dividend to its shareholders in excess of 95% of funds from operations for the period November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004. The Company received a waiver of this instance of noncompliance with the financial covenant. The Company and the lenders also agreed to modify the covenant related to the payment of dividends to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005. Under the terms of the modification, the Company was restricted from paying dividends to its shareholders in 2005 in excess of 110% of funds from operations. The dividend payment terms of the Credit Facility reverted to the original restriction against distributions in excess of 95% of funds from operations after 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company declared dividends to its shareholders in excess of 110% of funds from operations for the year ended December 31, 2005. The Company received a waiver of this instance of noncompliance with the financial covenant.
Additionally, the Company did not reduce the aggregate amount of its outstanding variable-rate indebtedness as a percentage of its total outstanding indebtedness below 30% by February 8, 2005, as required by the terms of the Credit Facility. On February 24, 2005, the Company converted certain variable-rate loans secured by seven student housing properties to fixed-rate loans. As a result of this refinancing, the Company lowered its outstanding variable-rate indebtedness as a percentage of fixed-rate indebtedness below the 30% limit. The Company received a waiver of this instance of noncompliance with the financial covenant for the period from February 8, 2005 through February 23, 2005.
At June 30, 2005, the Company's leverage ratio exceeded the 60% ceiling set forth in the Credit Facility. The Company received a formal waiver of this instance of noncompliance with the financial covenant.
In August 2005, the Company amended the Credit Facility (the "Amendment"). Under the Amendment, the calculation of the borrowing base was revised to include cash flow from the military housing construction and development fees and to increase the total cash flow attributable to annualized fees from the management, construction and development of the military housing projects and student housing properties from 35% to 50%. The Amendment also increased the applicable interest rate ranges on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility to the following: 1.625% to 2.375% for Eurodollar rate loans and 0.75% to 1.75% for prime rate loans. In addition, the Amendment modified the calculation of the leverage ratio and increased the maximum leverage ratio from 60% to 65% through December 31, 2005. At the end of the first quarter of 2006, the maximum leverage ratio reverted to 60%.
Given that the Company's compliance with debt covenants under the Credit Facility is determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company cannot determine at this time whether it will be in compliance with each of the debt covenants throughout 2006. If the Company is deemed to be in noncompliance with any of its debt covenants, and the Company is unable to obtain a waiver from the syndicate lenders and therefore is restricted from drawing additional borrowings from the Credit Facility, it has several alternatives available to it. In addition to cash flows from its operations, the
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Company can finance unencumbered properties or refinance existing debt, sell assets, or reduce its dividends to shareholders. The Company would evaluate each of these alternatives upon an event of noncompliance with the debt covenants under the Credit Facility and will take action necessary to ensure that the Company has adequate financial resources available to it to operate as a going concern.
As of December 31, 2005, the Company had $36.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility, bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 6.50%, and an additional $114.0 million was available for draw under the facility. As of December 31, 2005, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility.
8. Transactions with Related Parties
Related Party Management and Other Services
In the ordinary course of its operations, the Company has on-going business relationships with Gary M. Holloway, Sr., entities affiliated with Mr. Holloway, and entities in which Mr. Holloway or the Company has an equity investment. These relationships and related transactions are summarized below. The operating results or financial position of the Company and The GMH Predecessor Entities could be significantly different from those that would have been reported if the entities were autonomous.
In connection with the Company's initial public offering, Mr. Holloway, and various entities wholly-owned by Mr. Holloway, entered into a Contribution Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, with the Operating Partnership. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, Mr. Holloway contributed to the Operating Partnership all of the partnership interests of GH 353 Associates, L.P., which entity's sole asset was the corporate headquarters building located in Newtown Township, Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Newtown Township each impose a 1% transfer tax on the transfer of these partnership interests. Mr. Holloway paid the Company approximately $61,000 as reimbursement for one-half of the aggregate transfer tax that was originally paid for by the Company in connection with transfer tax assessed against the transfer of the partnership interests. The amount was received by the Company in 2006 from Mr. Holloway, and is recorded as a reduction to corporate assets on the Company balance sheet as of December 31, 2005.
Through the completion of the Company's initial public offering on November 2, 2004, common costs for human resources, information technology, office equipment and furniture, and certain management personnel were allocated to the various entities owned or controlled by Mr. Holloway, including The GMH Predecessor Entities, using assumptions based on headcount that management believed were reasonable. During the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004, and the year ended December 31, 2003, such costs totaled $2.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and are included in administrative expenses in the accompanying combined statements of operations. Subsequent to November 2, 2004, such costs were incurred directly by the Operating Partnership. The allocation of such costs to other entities owned or controlled by Mr. Holloway during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004 totaled $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and are reflected as expense reimbursements from related parties in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company leases space in its corporate headquarters to entities wholly-owned by Mr. Holloway. During the year ended December 31, 2005, and the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31,
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2004, rental income from these entities totaled $0.2 million, less than $0.1 million, respectively, and is included in rent and other property income in the accompanying consolidated and combined statements of operations.
The Company provided property management consulting services to GMH Capital Partners Asset Services, LP, an entity wholly-owned by Mr. Holloway, in connection with property management services that GMH Capital Partners Asset Services, LP performed during the year ended December 31, 2005 and for the period November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004 relating to five student housing properties containing a total of 2,174 beds. The Company earned consulting fees equal to 80% of the net management fees that GMH Capital Partners Asset Services, LP earned for providing the property management services. For the years ended December 31, 2005 and for the period November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004, such fees totaled $0.3 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.
The Company earned management fees from properties in which Mr. Holloway was an investor. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004, the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004, and the year ended December 31, 2003, such income totaled $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $1.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
The Company is reimbursed by the joint ventures relating to certain of its military housing projects in which the Company has an ownership interest, as well as student housing properties under the Company's management in which Mr. Holloway was an investor through March 2005, for the cost of certain employees engaged in the daily operation of those military housing projects and student housing properties. The reimbursement of these costs is included in expense reimbursementsrelated party in the accompanying consolidated and combined statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004, the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004, and the year ended December 31, 2003, such expense reimbursements relating to these military housing projects and student housing properties totaled $57.9 million, $19.5 million, $13.8 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
The GMH Predecessor Entities previously paid management fees and reimbursed expenses to entities owned by Mr. Holloway that were not contributed to the Company in connection with its initial public offering. During the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, the management fees and reimbursed expenses totaled less than $0.1 million in each period.
Mr. Holloway owns Bryn Mawr Abstract, Inc., an entity that provides title abstract services to third party title insurance companies, from which we have purchased title insurance with respect to certain student housing properties and military housing projects that we have acquired or refinanced in 2004 and 2005. In connection with the purchase of title insurance for these student housing properties and military housing projects, premiums were paid to other title insurance companies, which fees in some cases are fixed according to statute. From these premiums, the other title insurance companies paid to Bryn Mawr Abstract, Inc. $0.3 million and $0.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, for providing title abstract services.
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Mr. Holloway owns GMH Capital Partners Commercial Realty LP, an entity that provides real estate consulting and brokerage services for real estate transactions. During the year ended December 31, 2005, GMH Capital Partners Commercial Realty LP received aggregate commissions of $0.3 million from the sellers of two student housing properties that the Company purchased. In addition, in connection with the Company's Navy Northeast Region project, GMH Capital Partners Commercial Realty LP received brokerage service fees of $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2004, in connection with the sale of a land parcel by the Navy that was formerly part of the Company's Navy Northeast Region project.
In February 2005, the Company transferred its interest in Corporate Flight Services, LLC, including the corporate aircraft and associated debt initially contributed to the Operating Partnership at the time of the initial public offering, back to Mr. Holloway. Corporate Flight Services, LLC had a net deficit of $171,000, net of $180,000 tax expense related to the taxable gain upon the transfer to Mr. Holloway, on the date it was transferred back to Mr. Holloway. This transfer was accounted for as a capital contribution to additional paid-in capital. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company paid Corporate Flight Services, LLC $290,000 for use of an aircraft owned by Corporate Flight Services, LLC.
Gary M. Holloway, Sr. and three other employees of the Company, including two executive officers of the Company, and an employee of an entity wholly-owned by Mr. Holloway, held an ownership interest in two student housing properties that were acquired by the Company during the first quarter of 2005 for a total purchase price of $38.2 million. The Company paid $36.5 million in cash to investors in the selling entity not affiliated with the Company and issued a total of 141,549 units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership to Mr. Holloway and these individuals with an aggregate fair value of $1.7 million in connection with the purchase.
Loan from General Electric Capital Corporation
Denis J. Nayden, one of our trustees, served as a senior vice president of General Electric Company, which is the parent company of General Electric Capital Corporation, prior to 2005, and served as a consultant to General Electric Company during 2005. As of December 31, 2005, we had outstanding indebtedness owed to General Electric Capital Corporation in an aggregate amount of $253.6 million secured by properties or other assets that we owned.
9. Profits Interests
In recognition of past services, certain employees of The GMH Predecessor Entities and other entities affiliated with Mr. Holloway were previously awarded profits interests by Mr. Holloway. These employees were eligible to participate in the net proceeds or value received by Mr. Holloway upon the sale or disposition of certain student housing properties and the military housing business in excess of Mr. Holloway's equity investments in such assets. These employees rendered all services and satisfied all conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from these profits interests as of the date that such profits interests were awarded. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Statement No. 5,
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Accounting for Contingencies, compensation expense relating to the award of these profits interests was required to be recognized by The GMH Predecessor Entities when the sale or disposition of the assets resulting in proceeds received by Mr. Holloway in an amount in excess of his equity investment in such assets became probable. This amount became probable during the third quarter of 2004 when the remaining profits interests awards were amended to fix the value of such awards at $33.2 million to be paid to these employees unconditionally. Accordingly, we recognized compensation expense in this amount in the third quarter of 2004. Mr. Holloway's obligations regarding the profits interests were satisfied upon the transfer to these employees of $33.2 million of units of limited partnership in the Operating Partnership owned by Mr. Holloway on November 2, 2004, the closing date of our initial public offering.
10. Employee 401(k) Plan
Subsequent to the formation of the Operating Partnership, the Company established a tax deferred defined contribution 401(k) plan for its eligible employees. Participants may elect to defer a portion of their compensation by salary reduction. The Company's contributions to the plan, which are based on a percentage of participant contributions, for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from November 2, 2004 to December 31, 2004 totaled $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.
The GMH Predecessor Entities' employees were eligible to participate in a multi-employer tax-deferred defined contribution 401(k) plan. Participants elected to defer a portion of their compensation by salary reduction. The GMH Predecessor Entities' contributions to the plan, which were based on a percentage of participant contributions, amounted to $35,000 and $24,000, for the period from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
As of December 31, 2005, we had agreements to acquire seven student housing properties and an undeveloped parcel of land for an aggregate purchase price of $94.6 million and had placed deposits related to such planned acquisitions totaling $2.1 million. From January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006, we acquired six of these student housing properties and terminated the agreement relating to the remaining property.
With regard to military housing privatization projects, the Company is typically required to fund its portion of the equity commitment to the project's joint venture after all other sources of funding for the project have been expended. With respect to the Company's Navy Northeast Region project, however, the Company was required to fund the equity commitment at commencement of the project. In connection with finalizing the agreements with the DoD for the Company's military housing projects,
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the Company has committed to contribute the following aggregate amounts as of December 31, 2005 (dollar amounts shown in thousands):
2006 | $ | 2,000 | |
2007 | 5,900 | ||
2010 | 3,600 | ||
2011 and thereafter | 14,300 | ||
Total | $ | 25,800 | |
In connection with the development, management, construction, and renovation agreements for certain of the military housing projects, the Company guarantees the completion of its obligations under the agreements. The guarantees require the Company to fund any costs in excess of the amounts budgeted in the underlying development, management, construction, and renovation agreements. The maximum exposure to the Company on these guarantees cannot be determined at this time. Management believes that these guarantees will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
The Company is subject to routine litigation, claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The maximum exposure to the Company relating to these matters cannot be determined at this time. Management believes that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In 2004, the Company entered into employment agreements with three of its executive officers. Each employment agreement is for an initial three-year term beginning on November 2, 2004 and provides for base salaries aggregating $975,000 in each of the three years. The base salaries will be increased annually effective January 1 of each year by a minimum amount equal to at least the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. On December 31, 2005, the Company and one of its executive officers entered into a separation agreement, pursuant to which the executive resigned from his position as an officer of the Company and effectively terminated his employment agreement with the Company. Under the terms of the separation agreement, the executive remained eligible for an incentive bonus award for the fiscal year 2005, which was paid to the executive in June 2006. In addition, the executive has agreed to remain subject to certain restrictive covenants contained in the employment agreement, including non-disclosure of confidential information, non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, assignment of intellectual property rights, and on-going cooperation with the Company in connection with pending matters. The Company and the executive separately executed a Consulting Agreement, dated January 1, 2006, pursuant to which the executive has agreed to provide consulting services to the Company for an initial term through May 31, 2007. The Company will pay the executive $25,000 per month during the term of the Consulting Agreement as compensation for his services, which will be charged to expense as incurred.
Under the provisions of FIN 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34," a guarantor is to recognize, at the
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inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken by issuing the guarantee. The Company enters into indemnification agreements in the ordinary course of business that are subject to the provisions of FIN 45. Under these agreements, the Company indemnifies, holds harmless, and agrees to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these agreements is immaterial. Accordingly, there were no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2005.
On April 5, 2006, the Company, Gary M. Holloway Sr., our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bradley W. Harris, our former Chief Financial Officer, were named as defendants in a class action complaint filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, or the Court. The complaint provides that the Plaintiff has filed a federal class action on behalf of purchasers of the publicly traded securities of the Company between October 28, 2004 and March 10, 2006, referred to as the Class Period, seeking to pursue remedies under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Plaintiff alleges that defendants issued a series of false and misleading financial results regarding the Company to the market during the Class Period, and more specifically, failed to disclose: (1) that the Company's earnings, net income and revenues were materially inflated and expenses were materially understated; (2) that the Company's funds from operations were materially inflated; (3) that the Company lacked adequate internal controls; (4) that the Company's reported financial results were in violation of generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP; and (5) that as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial results were materially inflated at all relevant times. Plaintiff alleges claims under Section 11 of the Securities Act with respect to all of the defendants; Section 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act with respect to the Company; Section 15 of the Securities Act with respect to Mr. Holloway and Mr. Harris; Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act with respect to all of the defendants; and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Mr. Holloway and Mr. Harris.
On April 11, 2006, April 20, 2006, April 27, 2006 and May 15, 2006, four additional class action complaints were filed with the Court against the defendants by separate law firms, and additional complaints may be filed in the near future until a class has been certified by the Court and a lead plaintiff has been named. Each of these additional filed complaints alleges the same claims against the defendants as described above with respect to th