Vlinker establishes a US$180 million development fund with a global investor to expand footprints in China's rental housing market

VLINKER , a leading rental housing investor, developer and operator in China, announced today to establish a new joint venture investment platform ("JV Platform") with a global institutional investor. With a total investment capacity of US$180 million to acquire and develop affordable rental housing projects in Shanghai, China.

"China's rental housing sector continues to garner interests from both domestic and international investors. Mass market products that Vlinker builds counters macroeconomic volatility, and rental housing projects normally provide stable and positive cash flows in China, which is one of the few countries in Asia that can still yield positive leverage. With the growth story intact, the healthy fundamentals and supportive measures from the government on affordable housing extend the runway for more sustainable institutional development", said Craig T. , Head of Capital Raising at Vlinker.

As a core socio-economic policy, China's affordable rental housing sector has received sound financial and policy support ranging from land planning, tax breaks and lower financing cost to address this underserved market. Affordable housing sector is also one of the permissible sectors for C-REITs listings. With exit channels more diversified, the affordable rental housing sector has recently gained the capital interests for both development opportunities as well as core strategies.

"The JV Platform also illustrates the investor’s recognition of Vlinker market positioning and our track record in investments in rental apartments. Vlinker will continue to adhere to our investment strategies by sourcing, building and operating rental housing communities that provide value, safety and a sense of community to our tenants while optimally balancing our investors’ interests. We are confident in our capabilities as Vlinker is one of few asset-heavy asset managers in China with the end-to-end solution from investment, development, asset management, operation to fund management." He added.

With additional US$180 million investment capacity, Vlinker has its eyes on more opportunities to invest and develop more communities for young professionals in Shanghai.