ARVADA, CO – CVS Health announced it has invested $19.2 million through Boston Financial to build 85 new affordable housing units in Arvada, Colorado. Made possible through the company’s collaboration with Family Tree and BlueLine Development, the investment demonstrates CVS Health’s commitment to improving the health of individuals across the country, which begins with providing access to quality, safe, affordable housing, especially in historically underserved communities.
“A critical component to improving an individual’s health and well-being is access to quality, safe, affordable housing,” said Frank J. Benedetto, Regional Director, Sales and Account Management at Aetna, a CVS Health company. “Through the development of Marshall Street Landing, unhoused residents will have supportive housing, that provides access to the important resources they need to maintain stability, create positive changes, and ultimately lead healthier lives.”
Construction of the development, known as Marshall Street Landing, is currently underway and will provide a permanent supportive housing community for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. All participants will receive Project Based vouchers and have access to robust supportive services dedicated to educating and assisting residents with ending the cycle of homelessness and helping them to remain in stabilized housing.
The Jefferson Center for Mental Health will offer mental health and substance use counseling, while Family Tree will provide trauma-informed case management, advocacy, information and referrals, crisis assistance and on-site life-skills educational programming.
“Marshall Street Landing is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared vision of compassion and inclusivity,” said Dontae Latson, CEO of Family Tree. “Permanent supportive housing is not merely a place to live; it is a foundation for life. It offers individuals and families who have faced homelessness or disabling conditions not just shelter, but a community and a sense of belonging.”
Following its completion in Summer 2025, each unit at Marshall Street Landing will be fully furnished and feature a range, refrigerator, air conditioning, luxury vinyl floor, window coverings, and carpeting. Additional property amenities will include a community kitchen, common and laundry rooms, on-site management, a picnic area, playground, community garden, parking, 24-hour front desk coverage, and controlled access to the property.
CVS Health’s investment in Marshall Street Landing is a local demonstration of the company’s longstanding commitment to advancing health equity by addressing housing insecurities in communities across the country. In the past five years, CVS Health has made investments nationally to create or preserve and renovate more than 22,600 affordable rental units, including 14,300 for families and 5,800 for seniors. In addition, these investments have helped create nearly 2,500 permanent supportive housing units for veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals in need of support, those experiencing homelessness, single-parent households, victims of domestic violence, youth aging out of foster care, those with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities, those in need of mental health or substance abuse support, Second Chance participants, victims of human trafficking, and other groups that may be facing challenges in their lives.
To date, CVS Health has invested over $43 million to create, preserve and renovate over 2,100 affordable and supportive housing units throughout Colorado. Through the company’s investments and collaborations with vision-aligned developers and service providers, CVS Health has been able to provide quality housing and increased access to health care services based on the unique needs of the regional population.
Category Archives: Hard Money Loans
Gray Capital Completes Indiana Acquisition of 444-Unit Regency Club Apartment Community in Evansville Metropolitan Market
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Gray Capital announced the acquisition of Regency Club Apartments, a 444-unit class B apartment community located in Evansville, IN. The property was built in two stages in the 1980s with additional townhomes built in 2006.
Gray Capital’s strategy with the property involves an immediate rebrand as River Club Apartments, with over $3 Million in exterior improvements and interior renovations to enhance the property and create an exceptional, elevated living experience that will continue to attract residents. Additionally, River Club will be managed by Gray Capital’s property management company, Gray Residential, with an experienced team ready to execute Gray Capital’s strategy for the asset on day one.
“This property was the ‘lifestyle’ apartment community—the place to be for young professionals —when it was first built. While the property has maintained a good reputation, we are excited to not only continue the legacy but to bring River Club to the next level for residents.”
River Club is Gray Capital’s fourth apartment asset in the Evansville area. With two full-cycle multifamily investment projects completed in the Evansville area that have delivered exceptional returns for investors as well as one active investment, Gray Capital’s experience and confidence in the Evansville market is a powerful driver of River Club’s success.
Gray Capital’s acquisition of River Club comes after a year of lower activity in the multifamily market as a whole and for Gray Capital specifically, but interest rate stability, investor interest, and the growing emergence of attractive apartment properties in the investment sales market has Gray Capital far more optimistic this year.
“River Club is easily the most attractive multifamily acquisition opportunity the firm has seen in over 2 years. We are buying the property at an incredible basis discounted over 30% from the market peak. This market has not been an easy one to navigate, but I give full credit to the Gray team for avoiding many potential pitfalls and excelling in a challenging environment.”
Mill Creek Breaks Ground on 270-Unit Modera South Shore Marshfield Garden-Style Apartment Community in Seaside-Town Locale
MARSHFIELD, MA – Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., announced it has broken ground on Modera South Shore Marshfield, a contemporary garden-style community boasting a charming seaside-town locale.
The community, which will feature 270 apartment homes, is located approximately midway between Boston and Cape Cod and within a quick commute of Marshfield’s various beaches. First move-ins are anticipated for fall 2025.
“Marshfield features a prime coastal locale but a small inventory of Class A living options,” said Doug Arsham, senior managing director of development in Boston for Mill Creek Residential. “We’re eager to help address that demand and offer a product largely unique to the market. With an upgraded clubhouse, elevator access, spacious layouts and lofts in select units, we believe Modera South Shore Marshfield will quickly ascend to a best-in-class living option in the neighborhood.”
Located just south of Route 139 at 70 Commerce Way, Modera South Shore Marshfield features direct access to Route 3—which serves as the gateway to Boston to the north and Cape Cod to the south. Residents will also have access to the Greenbush MBTA commuter rail station in nearby Scituate, commuter boats in Hingham and Hull and multiple commuter bus options.
The community will sit within a 12-minute drive of Marshfield’s five beaches and within 15 minutes of the acclaimed Derby Street Shoppes, which feature a vast and eclectic array of restaurants and retailers. Additionally, a Roche Bros. supermarket is located less than a mile from the community along with several nearby breweries and dining options.
“Modera South Shore Marshfield will offer a refined coastal living experience with commuter-friendly access for those who work in the city or regularly travel up and down the coast,” said Anand Boscha, vice president of development in Boston for Mill Creek Residential. “We believe the spacious home sizes, thoughtful architectural design and state-of-the-art in-home features will be exclusive in the market and will provide an attractive option to discerning renters.”
Modera South Shore Marshfield will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with a generous average size of 1,129 square feet. The community will feature various den, loft and townhome options, and homes will have private patios or balconies. Community amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool, state-of-the-art resident clubhouse, game room, grilling area, fire pit, coworking space, private workstations, coffee bar, dedicated dog run and a club-quality fitness center featuring cardio equipment and a yoga/Pilates studio. Residents will also have access to controlled-access garage parking, EV charging stations and additional storage options.
Home interiors will feature nine-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, wood plank-style flooring, quartz countertops, tile backsplashes, soft-close cabinets, moveable kitchen islands, smart thermostats, controlled guest-access technology, walk-in closets and in-home washers and dryers. Bathrooms will include double vanities, tile shower surrounds and linen closets. Modera South Shore Marshfield will be built to, and is pursuing, an NGBS Silver Certification.
Lincoln Avenue Communities Breaks Ground on 300-Unit 52 at Park Affordable Housing Community in Fast Growing Orlando Market
ORLANDO, FL – Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC), a mission-driven acquirer and developer of affordable housing, broke ground on the future site of 52 at Park during a ceremony with LAC leaders, local lawmakers and partners. 52 at Park will provide 300 affordable housing units to individuals and families in Orange County earning no more than 60% of the Area Median Income.
“Lincoln Avenue Communities is proud to grow our portfolio of affordable housing developments in Florida,” said Jordan Richter, LAC vice president and regional project partner. “Once completed, 52 at Park will provide hundreds of high-quality, affordable homes in one of the state’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas.”
The property will include eight residential buildings, with all units expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
“The City of Orlando remains committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to call Orlando home has access to quality housing that is safe and affordable,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Through the power of partnership by working alongside Lincoln Avenue Communities, we look forward to welcoming the addition of 300 new affordable apartments and continue to leverage funding and offer incentives to make it easier for developers to build affordable housing in Orlando.”
52 at Park will offer amenities including a fitness center, pool, clubhouse, central laundry and a playground. The property will also include a sprawling solar installation that will offset 100% of the community’s electricity usage, making it one of the first affordable housing communities in Florida to provide full solar offsetting.
“LAC is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and resiliency of our developments,” said Cricket Cleary, LAC director of development. “52 at Park represents a major step toward a new generation of high-quality sustainable housing in Florida, and throughout the country.”
The project was financed through an issuance of tax-exempt bonds from the Orange County Housing Finance Authority; a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity investment from Freddie Mac, syndicated by Berkadia; a Construction Inflation Response Viability Funding loan from the Florida Housing Financing Corporation; construction and permanent loans from Deutsche Bank, serviced by Berkadia; and solar energy credit equity.
Oak Row Equities Breaks Ground on 2600 Biscayne Boulevard Luxury Mixed-Use Tower in Miami’s Desirable Edgewater Submarket
MIAMI, FL – Oak Row Equities, a vertically-integrated private equity and real estate development company with over $1.6 Billion of development in South Florida, announced the official groundbreaking of 2600 Biscayne Boulevard, a transformative Class AAA multifamily and office tower in the rapidly-maturing Edgewater neighborhood of Miami. Coastal Construction Group, one of the largest general contractors in the Southeast, is the general contractor.
Globally-renowned architecture firm Arquitectonica is responsible for the design of the luxurious 41-story building, which will be home to an original public art piece by acclaimed artist Derrick Adams. Vida, a Portland-based full service interior design and interior architecture firm, is designing the interiors. The commencement of construction follows the pre-leasing of 50% of the commercial space, and the closing of a $181M loan from Bank OZK – one of the largest multifamily construction loans to close in South Florida this year.
We are thrilled to be breaking ground at 2600 Biscayne. We are focused on delivering the highest quality multi-family and office product to the Edgewater submarket, said Erik Rutter, Managing Partner at Oak Row Equities. We believe by breaking ground we will deliver into a supply-constrained market and be well-positioned as the highest quality asset in Miami-Dade County.
2600 Biscayne comprises an entire city block and is conveniently located one block from the planned Northeast Corridor rail stop. The tower features 187,000 square feet of prime office and retail space and 399 luxurious studio to three-bedroom (plus den) rental residences. With exceptional design, ample private outdoor space, modern finishes, stunning views, and state-of-the-art amenities, these residences will rival new condo construction homes. An elaborate mural will be displayed on the western portion of the facade visible from multiple neighborhoods by celebrated artist Derrick Adams.
“2600 Biscayne will dramatically enhance the caliber of multifamily and office space in Edgewater and really create a new upper tier for these asset classes in South Florida,” says David Weitz, Managing Partner at Oak Row Equities. We are thrilled to be breaking ground on this exciting new project, and are proud to be working with such sophisticated financial institutions who are invested alongside us in South Florida s bright future.
“Coastal Construction Group is honored to join Oak Row Equities in breaking ground on 2600 Biscayne Boulevard, said Patrick Erin Murphy, Executive Vice President of Coastal Construction Group. We are excited to contribute to the transformation of the Edgewater neighborhood with esteemed partners and look forward to playing a part in delivering this building.
The residential portion of the tower will begin 135 feet above the ground, ideal for residents looking for the quintessential Miami view. Multiple levels of residential amenities include a pet spa, private lounge, yoga studio, and top-of-the-line fitness center. A wraparound 12th-floor amenity deck will have a lap pool, cold plunge, hot tub, well-appointed cabanas, and BBQ grills. The tower s 41st floor will feature a coworking lounge and rooftop deck with some of the best views in Miami.
Residents will enjoy a seamless arrival experience via a dedicated residential porte-cochére with lush, covered waiting areas for ride shares. 2600 Biscayne will have EV charging stations and over 600 parking spaces for added convenience.
2600 Biscayne will be Gold Certified National Green Building Standard. The tower s offices are almost 50% pre-leased and will be located on the first ten floors within a sculptural pyramid-like structure. Office tenants will have access to touchless entry points and elevators to easily divisible floor plates with 14 ceilings. There will be floor-to-ceiling glass throughout the spaces, private tenant balconies, and a wide range of indoor and outdoor wellness-focused amenities.
Outdoor amenities exclusive for the office tenants include a landscaped rooftop terrace, exclusive padel court, open-air seating, covered picnic areas, an outdoor wellness and yoga deck, and more. Inside, there is a dedicated business lounge, private meeting areas, conference rooms, and an entertainment room with a golf simulator.
Vehicular arrival for office tenants will be via a private porte-cochére and a designated lobby. Dedicated valet and tenant parking will be available along with 24/7 security and access.
Edgewater offers lifestyle amenities such as the lush eight-acre Margaret Pace Park, and robust retail and culinary options. Wynwood, Midtown, and the Design District are moments away. Whole Foods and a Northeast Corridor rail station will be within blocks upon completion. Miami International Airport, I-95, Miami Beach, and Brickell are easily accessible from Edgewater.
Rise48 Equity Celebrates Milestone with Acquisition of 288-Unit Mosaic Apartment Community in Dallas-Fort Worth Submarket
HALTOM, TX – Rise48 Equity, a leading multifamily investment group, announced the acquisition of Mosaic Apartments in the DFW area of Texas. This 288-unit complex marks a significant milestone as the company’s 50th acquisition since 2019 and its 10th in the Dallas MSA, further expanding their strong presence in Texas.
Rise48 Equity has plans to revitalize Mosaic Apartments, soon to be rebranded Rise Fossil Creek, with an investment of over $7 million. Property renovations include:
Platinum-level interior upgrades: New shaker doors, quartz countertops, plumbing fixtures, stainless steel appliances, vinyl flooring, and updated lighting.
Transformative exterior: Fresh 3-tone paint, pool area improvements, leasing office & clubhouse upgrades, landscaping enhancements, a new LED-backlit monument sign, and new marketing banners.
Rise48 Equity CEO and Co-Founder, Zach Haptonstall, said “We’re excited to have acquired Mosaic Apartments off-market at a great basis. It’s a very strong submarket and a great asset with a lot of upside. We want to thank our investors for partnering with us on this deal, and we will immediately begin to execute our business plan.”
JBG Smith Achieves Goal to Preserve 3,000 Workforce Housing Units with Washington Housing Initiative Impact Pool Investment
BETHESDA, MD – JBG SMITH announced that the Impact Pool, the affordable housing investment platform it manages, has helped create and preserve more than 3,000 units of quality workforce housing across the Washington region since 2020, outpacing its goal to deliver 3,000 units by 2025 and with capital remaining to invest in additional units.
The Impact Pool has surpassed what we set out to achieve – the creation and preservation of affordable homes for thousands of workers in communities throughout the Washington region, and we are proud to have reached our goal ahead of schedule and with additional funds to continue our efforts, said AJ Jackson, EVP of Social Impact Investing at JBG SMITH. This is a moment of celebration and provides impetus to keep going. Investing at scale allows us to have a meaningful impact, and this milestone reinforces our commitment to preventing displacement and preserving affordability in rapidly changing neighborhoods vulnerable to rising housing costs. Consequently, we plan to continue to finance workforce housing through other vehicles even after the Impact Pool s funds have been fully deployed.
The 3,000+ units include: Parkstone Alexandria (Alexandria, VA) 326 units; Crystal House (Arlington, VA) 825 units; Hamilton Manor (Hyattsville, MD) 245 units; Huntwood Courts (Washington, DC) 214 units; Earle Manor (Wheaton, MD) 140 units; The Gale Eckington (Washington, DC) 603 Units; Loree Grand (Washington, DC) 212 units; Falkland Chase (Silver Spring, MD) 268 units; Franklin Apartments (Takoma Park, MD) 185 units.
Launched by JBG SMITH in 2019, the Impact Pool is a key component of the Washington Housing Initiative (WHI) created by JBG SMITH and the Federal City Council. The Impact Pool, managed by a subsidiary of JBG SMITH, leverages private capital to help combat the loss of housing for middle-income families. The Impact Pool works with non-profit and for-profit mission driven sponsors to acquire privately owned and unsubsidized housing that s affordable to everyday working households, lock in affordability, invest in the buildings, and operate them using strategies designed to stabilize residents rather than push rents.
The Impact Pool surpassed its goal with the deployment of $6 million in mezzanine financing to Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) for the refinancing of Franklin Apartments, a 185-unit age-restricted housing community in Takoma Park, MD. Concurrent with the closing of the Impact Pool s loan, the property obtained a new $26.2 million Freddie Mac loan, provided by Key Bank, along with an extension of an existing $3.75 million soft loan from Montgomery County.
The Franklin Apartments investment is a perfect example of what we sought to accomplish when we created the Impact Pool. Montgomery County is projected to lose up to 11,000 naturally occurring affordable housing units by 2030. Our collaboration with a non-profit owner, dedicated to the property s preservation, will provide residents with the ability to age in-place in a resource rich neighborhood of Montgomery County, commented Jackson.
Located at 7620 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park, MD, the Class B mid-rise Franklin Apartments was built in 1952 and renovated in 2011. The building was acquired by MHP in 2022 and is currently managed by Humphrey Management. The property includes 135 parking spots, green community features, a grilling area, and multi-purpose entertainment room and is pet friendly. MHP provides onsite resources to residents including the operation of a food pantry, health and safety seminars, and programming.
MHP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving more than 4,000 residents of Montgomery County and neighboring communities by providing more than 2,880 quality affordable homes. The organization is committed to housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods. Since 1989, MHP s mission has been to preserve and expand access to quality, affordable housing.
The Impact Pool previously partnered with MHP to provide financing for the 140-unit Earle Manor apartments, located in Wheaton, MD.
Greystar Launches Its First Factory Created Modular Community with Ltd. Findlay Luxury Apartments in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
CORAOPOLIS, PA – Greystar Real Estate Partners, a global leader in the investment, development, and management of real estate, including rental housing, logistics, and life sciences, announced its third Ltd.-branded apartment community, Ltd. Findlay, is now preleasing. Located in Coraopolis, PA, Ltd. Findlay is the first property comprised entirely of apartments created in the Modern Living Solutions (“MLS”) factory – Greystar’s modular construction business focused on building off-site, prefabricated modular apartments sustainably and at an attainable price point under Greystar’s dedicated impact housing brand, Ltd. by Greystar.
“Ltd. Findlay is a significant milestone for Greystar and Modern Living Solutions,” Andy Mest, Managing Director of Development, Modern Living Solutions at Greystar, said. “This is our first Ltd. community that is built entirely from modular construction. Each apartment is comprised of two to four modules that are built at the MLS factory in Knox, PA, and then driven to the community site and assembled. This allows us to deliver an attainable product that is also more sustainable due to reduced construction waste.”
Ltd. Findlay offers the easy living experience and amenities that residents expect in a Greystar community, with rents that are lower than typical multifamily housing in the area. The modular construction, combined with cutting-edge technology at the property, deliver an experience that sets Ltd. apart from most of the existing attainable housing supply in the United States. Each Ltd. community and apartment includes property-wide high-speed internet, smart locks, and resident apps that streamline everything from maintenance requests to guest access. Amenities include a community pool and fitness center for residents to enjoy.
Ltd. Findlay offers one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans that range from 662 sq. ft. to 1,373 sq. ft. The community is conveniently located in close proximity to Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh International Airport, Robinson Mall and the headquarters of both FedEx Ground and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“Our Ltd. brand is Greystar’s solution to the lack of housing supply for the middle of the market,” said Scott Berka, Senior Managing Director, Brand and Customer Experience at Greystar. “Ltd. Findlay is the latest example of our commitment to delivering rental housing that combines the opportunity to live in a professionally managed Greystar community with the promise of limited future rent increases while living in an Ltd.-branded property.”
Thompson Thrift to Develop 276-Unit Verify Luxury Apartment Community in Florida’s Space Coast Community of Vero Beach
VERO BEACH, FL – Thompson Thrift, a full-service nationally recognized real estate company and one of the nation’s leading multifamily developers, announced the development of Verity, a 276-unit Class A multifamily community in Vero Beach. The company intends to begin construction this month, with completion expected in summer 2026.
“Despite significant demand for housing options in the Vero Beach community, supply has not kept pace in recent years,” said Josh Purvis, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Residential. “We are pleased to be able to move forward with providing a highly desired rental living option that fits the community’s needs.”
Located off 37th Street on 11th Circle, Verity will span more than 18 acres and consist of three-story buildings offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with up to nearly 1,400 square feet.
Apartment homes will feature many of the high-end finishes and amenities that Thompson Thrift communities have become known to include—hardwood-style flooring; full-size washers and dryers; stainless-steel appliances and built-in microwaves; smooth, glass-top ranges; side-by-side refrigerators with ice and water dispensers; detached garages; tile backsplashes, designer fixtures and finishes; large walk-in closets; private yard and patio options and ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms.
Residents can also choose from an array of signature collection amenities including walk-in showers with full tile and glass doors, premium lighting, smart hub to integrate all smart devices, premium appliances, and dry bar in select homes.
One tailormade community feature is a custom-angled clubhouse with a covered pavilion that connects to the 24-hour fitness center and will include a coffee bar, a 24-hour social hub, work from home suites and a resident conference room with screenshare and video conferencing technology. Other community amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool, electric firepits with seating area, community grilling areas, pickleball court, a dog run with agility equipment and pet spa. Residents will also have access to high-speed internet access, an Amazon package hub, valet trash service, an onsite service team and a user-friendly mobile app for rent payment, submitting service requests, community feed, and more.
Verity residents will be a short drive to nearby beaches and coastal attractions, as well as downtown Vero Beach and Treasure Coast Plaza, a popular dual-anchor shopping center.
Located within one of the top demographic pockets of the market, the site is surrounded by home values and income levels that exceed market averages, while Vero Beach itself continues to boast high population growth, along with impressive job growth figures, increasing by more than 6% since 2020.
Approximately 70% of Vero Beach’s workforce, highlighted by nearly 6,000 medical service jobs, is located within five miles of the Verity site. The property sits directly across the street from the area’s largest employer – the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital which is home to more than 1,500 jobs. Other major nearby employers include L3 Harris Technologies, a quickly growing aerospace manufacturing and research company, and the Indian River County school district, which supports more than 17,000 students across 27 schools.
Vista Residential Partners Receives Approval for Development of 221-Unit Gardens Vista Apartment Community in Palm Beach Gardens
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – Vista Residential Partners, a national multifamily development firm headquartered in Atlanta, GA received City of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., approval for luxury 221-unit multifamily development, to be known as Gardens Vista Apartments.
Located at the intersection of Central and Victoria Falls Boulevards, Gardens Vista will sit on 16 acres of the more than 50-acre tract of land known as Cimarron Cove. The community is in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens and lies within 0.5 miles of I-95, and less than 1.5 miles from PGA Blvd and Gardens Mall.
The Mediterranean-style complex will include 131 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom, and 18 three-bedroom apartments. Community amenities feature two pickleball courts, resort style swimming pool, more than one acre of walking trails, spacious gym, interactive game room, golf simulators, co-working space, 24/7 package concierge, vehicle charging stations, and a dog park. Designed by Niles Bolton Associates, the apartments will include stainless steel appliances, 9-foot ceilings, wood plank flooring, in-unit washer and dryers, and much more.
Vista has agreed to include 10% of its units to comply with the City’s workforce housing requirement. This aligns with Vista’s corporate commitment to provide workforce housing with attainable rents for those who want to live, work, and play in a well-planned community with modern units and top of the line amenities.
According to Vista’s CEO, Eduardo de Guardiola, the approval is the culmination of a two year effort and collaboration between Vista and its consultants, which include Urban Design Studio, Kimley Horn & Associates, Niles Bolton Architects, all of whom worked extensively and alongside the City’s Planning and Zoning Staff to create a development plan that won unanimous approval from the City’s staff and City Council, as well as its neighboring homeowner association.