Fitch Announces Changes for Life Plan Communities Ratings to ‘Better Reflect the Risks’

Fitch Ratings has announced potential revisions to its rating criteria for life plan communities and is accepting public feedback before changes are finalized.  The changes proposed by Fitch in a recent draft would “better reflect the risks” life plan communities face, according to Fitch Senior Director Margaret Johnson. That’s due to LPCs having a smaller […]

Stability May Be Best Outcome for Life Plan Communities as Cost, Workforce Challenges Remain

Life plan communities have a number of opportunities ahead of them, and many challenges to boot. But until certain factors change, stability may be the best the sector can hope for. That’s according to Margaret Johnson, senior director for life plan communities and senior lead at Fitch Ratings. On a webinar Thursday, Johnson said that […]

Life Plan Communities May Face Tougher Market Conditions in 2023, Demand Remains Strong

Life plan communities (LPCs) could face tougher overall market conditions in the year ahead compared to 2022, despite demand remaining strong for all care types. Operating cost pressures, driven by staffing shortages at communities, have prompted operators and owners to pass through considerable rate increases due to wage adjustments. That ultimately led to the deterioration […]

Costs, Weakening Economy Point to ‘Deteriorating’ 2023 Outlook for Life Plan Community Sector

Stubborn labor costs and the potential for more distress in the U.S. economic landscape are leading to a worsening outlook for life plan communities in the year ahead, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. While the influx of the baby boomer generation is expected to support the sector in the years ahead, other headwinds […]

Life Plan Operators May Shrink Nursing Wings in Response to Lasting Staffing Headwinds

Elevated staffing costs and difficulty finding workers could affect how some continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and life plan communities think about their unit mix in the long-term. That’s according to a newly released analysis on October 2022 trends from financial services company Fitch Ratings. It’s no secret that the cost of doing business is […]

Stability Ahead for Life Plan Communities, Housing Market May Be Future Challenge

Operational and financial health for life plan communities is projected to remain “relatively stable” in 2022 despite ongoing challenges — but certain economic conditions could derail that stability down the road. That’s according to ratings agency Fitch Ratings, which on Monday released its quarterly Public Finance Rating Actions Report and Sector Updates. Of the 62 […]

Transactions & Financings: Moody’s Boosts Welltower’s Ratings Outlook; Friendship Village of Tempe’s $104M Bond Issuance

Welltower’s (NYSE: WELL) credit rating received a slight boost, in another sign that its senior housing operating portfolio’s (SHO) performance is on the rebound. The Toledo, Ohio-based real estate investment trust’s (REIT) rating outlook was revised from negative to stable, and its issuer credit rating was revised to “Baa1” status by Moody’s Investors Service. The […]

Transactions & Financings: Griffin-American Health Care REIT Merger Complete; HumanGood Secures $120M Bond Package

Griffin-American Health Care REIT III (GAHR III) and Griffin-American Health Care REIT IV (GAHR IV) completed their previously announced merger, setting the stage for the largest-ever public offering for a health care real estate investment trust in a record year for REIT mergers. The tax-free, stock-for stock transaction creates a combined company with a total […]