SEC Company Response from NATIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP REALTY FUND I (CIK 0000731131) — Aug 12, 2005
NATIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP REALTY FUND I (CIK 0000731131)
Date: Aug. 12, 2005 · CIK: 0000731131 · Accession: 0000711642-05-000419
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
Referenced dates: April 13, 2005, August 1, 2005, August 1, 2005, June 15, 2005, May 25, 2005
Letter
Re: National Housing Partnership Realty Fund I Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 Filed March 30, 2005 File No. 0-13465
NATIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP REALTY FUND I 55 Beattie Place, P.O. Box 1089 Greenville, SC 29602
August 12, 2005
Correspondence Filing Via Edgar and Overnight Delivery
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance Mail Stop 4561 450 Fifth Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20549 Attn: Mr. Steven Jacobs
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter responds to the comments of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Staff") addressed to National Housing Partnership Realty Fund I, a Maryland limited partnership (the "Partnership"), in a letter dated August 1, 2005, which was sent in response to the Partnership's July 14, 2005 response to the Staff's third comment letter dated June 15, 2005, which was sent in response to the Partnership's June 9, 2005 response to the Staff's second comment letter dated May 25, 2005, which was sent in response to the Partnership's May 10, 2005 response to the Staff's original comment letter dated April 13, 2005. The Partnership's response to the Staff's comments are set forth below and are numbered to correspond to the numbering of the Staff's comments in the Staff's letter dated August 1, 2005.
* * * * *
Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004
Financial Statements and Notes
Note 1 - Summary of Partnership Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
1. Comment: We note your conclusion that the general partner is more closely associated with the local limited partnership and therefore is the primary beneficiary. Please explain to us in sufficient detail how you considered and concluded on each of the indicators in paragraph 17 and your rationale for doing so. In your response, tell us how you weighted each of these factors in arriving at your conclusion.
Response: The Partnership made its determination of the primary beneficiary of the local limited partnerships identified as VIEs based on a qualitative analysis with reference to paragraphs 16 and 17 of FIN 46R.
Paragraph 16 of FIN 46R states, in part, "For purposes of determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, an enterprise with a variable interest shall treat variable interests in that same entity held by its related parties as its own interests. For purposes of this Interpretation, the term related parties includes those parties identified in FASB Statement No. 57, Related Party Disclosures (SFAS 57), and certain other parties that are acting as de facto agents or de facto principals of the variable interest holder."
In its application of paragraph 16 to the three local limited partnerships that the Partnership determined were VIEs, the Partnership concluded that the Partnership is a member of a related party group that includes the general partner. In all three local limited partnerships, the Partnership concluded under SFAS 57 that the general partner and the limited partner (the Partnership) meet the definition of related parties because both are under the common control of National Housing Partnership.
Having determined under paragraph 16 that the Partnership and the respective general partners of the local limited partnerships are a related party group for purposes of FIN 46R, the Partnership considered the guidance in paragraph 17 of FIN 46R to identify the primary beneficiary of each local limited partnership. Paragraph 17 of FIN 46R states, "If two or more related parties (including the de facto agents described in paragraph 16) hold variable interests in the same variable interest entity, and the aggregate variable interest held by those parties would, if held by a single party, identify that party as the primary beneficiary, then the party, within the related party group, that is most closely associated with the variable interest entity is the primary beneficiary." The Partnership believes that the variable interests held by the related party group, consisting of the Partnership and the general partner, would, if held by a single party, identify that party as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the Partnership believes that based on a qualitative evaluation, a party within the related party group must be the primary beneficiary.
Paragraph 17 of FIN 46R goes on to state "the determination of which party within the related party group is most closely associated with the variable interest entity requires judgment and shall be based on an analysis of all relevant facts and circumstances, including:
a. The existence of a principal-agency relationship between parties within the related party group
b. The relationship and significance of the activities of the variable interest entity to the various parties within the related party group
c. A party's exposure to the expected losses of the variable interest entity
d. The design of the variable interest entity."
The Partnership believes that in the application of paragraph 17 of FIN 46R, the factors listed need to be considered together in conjunction with the structure of the local limited partnership and how the Partnership believes third parties would view the role of the general partner and the limited partner (i.e. the Partnership). The Partnership believes that no single factor is determinative and that all four factors must be weighed together in the determination of the primary beneficiary.
The Partnership's consideration of the requirements of paragraph 17 of FIN 46 revealed factors that individually could identify either the general partner or the Partnership as the party with the characteristics most closely associated with the respective local limited partnerships.
Ultimately, as discussed below, the Partnership concluded that the general partner is the party within the related party group that has the characteristics most closely associated with the local limited partnerships. Factors considered most relevant include:
o Although the de facto agency relationship that was identified in connection with paragraph 16 of FIN 46R does not clearly indicate which party is the principal or agent, the Partnership believes the general partner has characteristics that are commonly associated with the principal. In this regard, the Partnership noted that a third party would contact the general partner regarding a local limited partnership matter. For example, regulatory agencies, such as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Internal Revenue Service, would contact the general partner when necessary. In all instances the general partner acts with authority in addressing those matters.
o The Partnership noted that each general partner's relationship with each of the respective local limited partnerships involves the following significant activities related to its rights and obligations under the related limited partnership agreements:
o The general partner shall manage and conduct the business of the local limited partnership;
o Employees of the general partner (or its affiliates) are actively involved in managing the operations of the local limited partnerships;
o The general partner has the obligation to fund any recourse obligations of the local limited partnership;
o The general partner is authorized to borrow funds, execute and issue mortgage notes and other evidences of indebtedness;
o The general partner is authorized to apply for and obtain from the respective government agency, contracts for leasing, interest subsidies, tax abatement and tax limitation, as well as other supplemental payments and subsidies;
o The general partner is required to promptly take any and all action that may be necessary or appropriate to perfect and maintain the local limited partnership, as a limited partnership under state law, and to develop, maintain, and operate the respective local limited partnerships in accordance with provisions of the local limited partnership agreement and applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations;
o The general partner is required to cause the local limited partnership to obtain and maintain at all times, insurance in such amounts and at terms customary for a project similar to the local limited partnership; and
o The general partner is responsible for obtaining a management agent for the respective local limited partnership.
In addition, the local limited partnership agreements each state that the Partnership, as limited partner, shall have no power or authority with respect to, or responsibility for, the conduct of the business or management of the affairs of the Partnership.
These factors strongly indicate that the general partner is the party most closely associated with the local limited partnerships.
Although the Partnership has not performed a quantitative analysis to determine the relative exposures of the Partnership and general partners to the expected losses and residual returns of the local limited partnerships, the Partnership generally believes that the Partnership would have the greatest exposure based on provisions in the local limited partnership agreements that provide the limited partner with 98 to 99 percent of all allocations and distributions. Although the Partnership's generally greater exposure to expected losses is a factor that tends to indicate the Partnership is the primary beneficiary, the Partnership concluded that this one factor is not sufficient to offset the other factors described above which predominately indicate that the general partner is the party most closely associated with the local limited partnerships. Furthermore, while the Partnership is provided with 98 to 99 percent of allocations and distributions, the Partnership is ultimately only liable to the extent of its equity in the local limited partnership. The general partner, on the other hand, is ultimately subject to unlimited liability.
As an additional note, the Partnership was unable to make a clear determination as to which parties were more involved with the design of the local limited partnerships due to the length of time since the local limited partnerships were created and a lack of individuals associated with that process available for consultation. The Partnership presumes that both the general partner and the Partnership were highly involved in the negotiation of local limited partnership provisions. Those negotiations ultimately resulted in the general partner having more substantial rights and obligations under each local limited partnership agreement.
The Partnership concluded, based on its qualitative consideration of the factors in paragraph 17 of FIN 46R as noted above, that the general partner is the party in the related party group that is most closely associated with, and therefore is the primary beneficiary of, the respective local limited partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary of any of the three local limited partnerships identified as VIEs and should not consolidate any of the three local limited partnerships.
* * * * *
As requested by the Staff in its letter dated April 13, 2005, the Partnership again acknowledges that: (a) the Partnership is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings; (b) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and (c) the Partnership may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
If you have further questions regarding the information provided, please contact the undersigned or Stephen Waters. Mr. Waters can be reached directly at (864) 239-1554 or by fax at (864) 239-5824.
Sincerely,
/s/ David R. Robertson
David R. Robertson
President and Chief Executive Officer of
National Corporation for Housing
Partnerships, the general partner of The
National Housing Partnership, the general
partner of National Housing Partnership
Realty Fund I
Show Raw Text
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.txt
<TEXT>
NATIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP REALTY FUND I
55 Beattie Place, P.O. Box 1089
Greenville, SC 29602
August 12, 2005
Correspondence Filing Via Edgar and Overnight Delivery
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Mail Stop 4561
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attn: Mr. Steven Jacobs
Re: National Housing Partnership Realty Fund I
Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004
Filed March 30, 2005
File No. 0-13465
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter responds to the comments of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Staff") addressed to National Housing Partnership Realty Fund
I, a Maryland limited partnership (the "Partnership"), in a letter dated August
1, 2005, which was sent in response to the Partnership's July 14, 2005 response
to the Staff's third comment letter dated June 15, 2005, which was sent in
response to the Partnership's June 9, 2005 response to the Staff's second
comment letter dated May 25, 2005, which was sent in response to the
Partnership's May 10, 2005 response to the Staff's original comment letter dated
April 13, 2005. The Partnership's response to the Staff's comments are set forth
below and are numbered to correspond to the numbering of the Staff's comments in
the Staff's letter dated August 1, 2005.
* * * * *
Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004
Financial Statements and Notes
Note 1 - Summary of Partnership Organization and Significant Accounting
Policies
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
1. Comment: We note your conclusion that the general partner is more
closely associated with the local limited partnership and therefore is
the primary beneficiary. Please explain to us in sufficient detail how
you considered and concluded on each of the indicators in paragraph 17
and your rationale for doing so. In your response, tell us how you
weighted each of these factors in arriving at your conclusion.
Response: The Partnership made its determination of the primary
beneficiary of the local limited partnerships identified as VIEs based
on a qualitative analysis with reference to paragraphs 16 and 17 of FIN
46R.
Paragraph 16 of FIN 46R states, in part, "For purposes of determining
whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, an
enterprise with a variable interest shall treat variable interests in
that same entity held by its related parties as its own interests. For
purposes of this Interpretation, the term related parties includes
those parties identified in FASB Statement No. 57, Related Party
Disclosures (SFAS 57), and certain other parties that are acting as de
facto agents or de facto principals of the variable interest holder."
In its application of paragraph 16 to the three local limited
partnerships that the Partnership determined were VIEs, the Partnership
concluded that the Partnership is a member of a related party group
that includes the general partner. In all three local limited
partnerships, the Partnership concluded under SFAS 57 that the general
partner and the limited partner (the Partnership) meet the definition
of related parties because both are under the common control of
National Housing Partnership.
Having determined under paragraph 16 that the Partnership and the
respective general partners of the local limited partnerships are a
related party group for purposes of FIN 46R, the Partnership considered
the guidance in paragraph 17 of FIN 46R to identify the primary
beneficiary of each local limited partnership. Paragraph 17 of FIN 46R
states, "If two or more related parties (including the de facto agents
described in paragraph 16) hold variable interests in the same variable
interest entity, and the aggregate variable interest held by those
parties would, if held by a single party, identify that party as the
primary beneficiary, then the party, within the related party group,
that is most closely associated with the variable interest entity is
the primary beneficiary." The Partnership believes that the variable
interests held by the related party group, consisting of the
Partnership and the general partner, would, if held by a single party,
identify that party as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the
Partnership believes that based on a qualitative evaluation, a party
within the related party group must be the primary beneficiary.
Paragraph 17 of FIN 46R goes on to state "the determination of which
party within the related party group is most closely associated with
the variable interest entity requires judgment and shall be based on an
analysis of all relevant facts and circumstances, including:
a. The existence of a principal-agency relationship between parties
within the related party group
b. The relationship and significance of the activities of the
variable interest entity to the various parties within the
related party group
c. A party's exposure to the expected losses of the variable
interest entity
d. The design of the variable interest entity."
The Partnership believes that in the application of paragraph 17 of
FIN 46R, the factors listed need to be considered together in
conjunction with the structure of the local limited partnership and
how the Partnership believes third parties would view the role of the
general partner and the limited partner (i.e. the Partnership). The
Partnership believes that no single factor is determinative and that
all four factors must be weighed together in the determination of the
primary beneficiary.
The Partnership's consideration of the requirements of paragraph 17
of FIN 46 revealed factors that individually could identify either
the general partner or the Partnership as the party with the
characteristics most closely associated with the respective local
limited partnerships.
Ultimately, as discussed below, the Partnership concluded that the
general partner is the party within the related party group that has
the characteristics most closely associated with the local limited
partnerships. Factors considered most relevant include:
o Although the de facto agency relationship that was identified in
connection with paragraph 16 of FIN 46R does not clearly indicate
which party is the principal or agent, the Partnership believes
the general partner has characteristics that are commonly
associated with the principal. In this regard, the Partnership
noted that a third party would contact the general partner
regarding a local limited partnership matter. For example,
regulatory agencies, such as the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development or the Internal Revenue Service,
would contact the general partner when necessary. In all
instances the general partner acts with authority in addressing
those matters.
o The Partnership noted that each general partner's relationship
with each of the respective local limited partnerships involves
the following significant activities related to its rights and
obligations under the related limited partnership agreements:
o The general partner shall manage and conduct the business of the
local limited partnership;
o Employees of the general partner (or its affiliates) are actively
involved in managing the operations of the local limited
partnerships;
o The general partner has the obligation to fund any recourse
obligations of the local limited partnership;
o The general partner is authorized to borrow funds, execute and
issue mortgage notes and other evidences of indebtedness;
o The general partner is authorized to apply for and obtain from
the respective government agency, contracts for leasing, interest
subsidies, tax abatement and tax limitation, as well as other
supplemental payments and subsidies;
o The general partner is required to promptly take any and all
action that may be necessary or appropriate to perfect and
maintain the local limited partnership, as a limited partnership
under state law, and to develop, maintain, and operate the
respective local limited partnerships in accordance with
provisions of the local limited partnership agreement and
applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations;
o The general partner is required to cause the local limited
partnership to obtain and maintain at all times, insurance in
such amounts and at terms customary for a project similar to the
local limited partnership; and
o The general partner is responsible for obtaining a management
agent for the respective local limited partnership.
In addition, the local limited partnership agreements each state that the
Partnership, as limited partner, shall have no power or authority with respect
to, or responsibility for, the conduct of the business or management of the
affairs of the Partnership.
These factors strongly indicate that the general partner is the party most
closely associated with the local limited partnerships.
Although the Partnership has not performed a quantitative analysis to determine
the relative exposures of the Partnership and general partners to the expected
losses and residual returns of the local limited partnerships, the Partnership
generally believes that the Partnership would have the greatest exposure based
on provisions in the local limited partnership agreements that provide the
limited partner with 98 to 99 percent of all allocations and distributions.
Although the Partnership's generally greater exposure to expected losses is a
factor that tends to indicate the Partnership is the primary beneficiary, the
Partnership concluded that this one factor is not sufficient to offset the other
factors described above which predominately indicate that the general partner is
the party most closely associated with the local limited partnerships.
Furthermore, while the Partnership is provided with 98 to 99 percent of
allocations and distributions, the Partnership is ultimately only liable to the
extent of its equity in the local limited partnership. The general partner, on
the other hand, is ultimately subject to unlimited liability.
As an additional note, the Partnership was unable to make a clear determination
as to which parties were more involved with the design of the local limited
partnerships due to the length of time since the local limited partnerships were
created and a lack of individuals associated with that process available for
consultation. The Partnership presumes that both the general partner and the
Partnership were highly involved in the negotiation of local limited partnership
provisions. Those negotiations ultimately resulted in the general partner having
more substantial rights and obligations under each local limited partnership
agreement.
The Partnership concluded, based on its qualitative consideration of the factors
in paragraph 17 of FIN 46R as noted above, that the general partner is the party
in the related party group that is most closely associated with, and therefore
is the primary beneficiary of, the respective local limited partnership.
Accordingly, the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary of any of the three
local limited partnerships identified as VIEs and should not consolidate any of
the three local limited partnerships.
* * * * *
As requested by the Staff in its letter dated April 13, 2005, the Partnership
again acknowledges that: (a) the Partnership is responsible for the adequacy and
accuracy of the disclosure in the filings; (b) Staff comments or changes to
disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from
taking any action with respect to the filings; and (c) the Partnership may not
assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission
or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
If you have further questions regarding the information provided, please contact
the undersigned or Stephen Waters. Mr. Waters can be reached directly at (864)
239-1554 or by fax at (864) 239-5824.
Sincerely,
/s/ David R. Robertson
David R. Robertson
President and Chief Executive Officer of
National Corporation for Housing
Partnerships, the general partner of The
National Housing Partnership, the general
partner of National Housing Partnership
Realty Fund I
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>