CIM-BGV Impact Ventures' Affordable Housing Impact Fund (AHIF) Announces Milestone First Closing
AHIF secures over $250 million in total investment capacity through fund equity and access to loan capacity.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Building Opportunity Through Affordable Housing
CIM-BGV Impact Ventures is a strategic partnership between CIM Group and John Hope Bryant, founder of Bryant Group Ventures.1 This partnership combines CIM Group’s vertically integrated expertise in real estate, credit, and infrastructure with John Hope Bryant’s strong track record of business and investment expertise, with a strategic focus on inclusive economic growth and financial empowerment.
The partnership is focused on creating and preserving affordable housing across the U.S. through property acquisition and ground-up development. CIM-BGV Impact Ventures also aims to generate meaningful impact by providing:
- Financial literacy education
- Resident support services
- Sustainable capital improvements
- Opportunities for local vendor engagement
“This partnership demonstrates that you can do well by doing good, a philosophy I have lived by for my entire career. I am excited to join with CIM Group in addressing the immense need for affordable housing in the U.S. while supporting the people, small businesses, and communities.”
John Hope Bryant
CEO of Bryant Group Ventures and Operation HOPE
John Hope Bryant is an independent board member of Creative Media & Community Trust (“CMCT”), a publicly traded REIT managed by CIM Group.
“This partnership demonstrates that you can do well by doing good, a philosophy I have lived by for my entire career. I am excited to join with CIM Group in addressing the immense need for affordable housing in the U.S. while supporting the people, small businesses, and communities where we invest.”
John Hope Bryant
CEO of Bryant Group Ventures and Operation HOPE
John Hope Bryant is an independent board member of Creative Media & Community Trust (“CMCT”), a publicly traded REIT managed by the CIM Group.
Addressing Challenges
As communities across the country grapple with rising inequality and economic uncertainty, the need for innovative, purpose-driven solutions has never been more urgent. Housing, one of the most fundamental human needs, sits at the heart of this challenge. Addressing the housing crisis requires more than policy shifts; it demands bold partnerships that combine financial expertise with a deep commitment to community impact.
The Bridge
CIM-BGV Impact Ventures is a partnership between CIM Group, a real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer; and influential leader and entrepreneur John Hope Bryant of Bryant Group Ventures.
CIM-BGV Impact Ventures is initially focused in affordable housing and preserving existing housing across the U.S., creating value while supporting communities.
CIM-BGV Impact Ventures is initially focused in affordable housing and preserving existing housing across the U.S., creating value while supporting communities.
A Strategic Partnership for Inclusive Impact
Why the Affordable Housing Impact Fund?
The Affordable Housing Impact Fund (AHIF) is a product of the CIM-BGV Impact Ventures partnership. It combines CIM Group’s institutional real estate expertise with John Hope Bryant’s inclusive economic model to deliver both financial returns and transformative community impact.
CIM has a long-standing reputation for revitalizing underserved urban areas through a disciplined community focus. John Hope Bryant has spent over three decades advancing economic justice by mobilizing capital, education, and opportunity for low-to-moderate income communities. The Affordable Housing Impact Fund leverages John Hope Bryant’s relationships and CIM’s national platform to source, structure, and scale high-impact opportunities.
What is the CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund (AHIF)?
By leveraging the combined expertise of CIM Group and Bryant Group Ventures, AHIF seeks to address the immense need for affordable housing and deliver value to underserved communities.
Fund Objectives
Address the growing need for affordable housing through developing and preserving housing for low- to moderate-income households
Generate Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credits for financial institutions under the Investment, Lending, and Service tests
Generate meaningful and measurable impact through capital deployment
Deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns
“CIM Group has a longstanding commitment to improving communities, and through our partnership with Bryant Group Ventures we will meet the broader needs of communities. By combining our expertise and John Hope Bryant’s extensive business acumen and pioneering leadership in inclusive economics for underserved communities, we will deliver quality affordable housing and financial literacy programs that empower current and future residents and help build stronger, more resilient communities.”
Avi Shemesh
Co-Founder & Principal, CIM Group
While the Fund seeks to invest in assets and communities designed to maximize the benefits of the Community Reinvestment Act, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objectives.
We believe the AHIF offers a compelling solution for financial institutions seeking both impact and returns in a sector receiving legislative support to address significant supply-demand imbalances.
CRA-Focused Strategy
AHIF is designed to help financial institutions meet all three Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance tests: Investment, Lending, and Service, while contributing to long-term community development.
Impact-Driven Approach
Impact is central to AHIF's strategy. Over 51% of units are set to benefit low-to-moderate income households, and AHIF promotes financial literacy, credit-building and community development initiatives.
Proprietary Sourcing
CIM’s long-standing community-focused approach, coupled with BGV’s deep relationships with local stakeholders, help enable access to off-market deals and unique opportunities.
Advancing Economic Empowerment
AHIF supports financial empowerment for residents by partnering with established organizations that have a proven track record of measurable impact.
Operation HOPE
Operation HOPE’s mission is to make free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved, disrupting poverty for millions of low- and moderate-income youth and adults nationwide. The organization focuses on promoting financial literacy, driving new business formation and growth, and influencing policy that will help achieve financial equity.
Esusu
Recognized as a 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50, Esusu offers innovative tools to help individuals build credit. The organization focuses on dismantling barriers to housing for working families and making wealth-building accessible.
“Our investment in the CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and providing safe, dignified homes for underserved communities. Together, we’re building stronger, more inclusive neighborhoods."
Raymond Li
Head of Community Impact Capital, Flagstar Bank
Raymond Li
Head of Community Impact Capital, Flagstar Bank
“We’re committed to expanding access to affordable housing and economic opportunities in the communities we serve. We’re proud to support partners who share our purpose to drive lasting change through investments that empower individuals and strengthen neighborhoods.”
Kathy Farrell
Head of Truist Asset Finance
Kathy Farrell
Head of Truist Asset Finance
Flagstar and Truist are current investors in the CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund.
Bryant Group Ventures
Bryant Group Ventures1, led by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Hope Bryant, serves as the central platform for his wide-ranging initiatives. Over the last 30 years, organizations that Mr. Bryant leads have helped facilitate more than $4 billion in capital to underserved individuals and communities.
For more information on John Hope Bryant
Click Here
Media Highlights
Artistic Rendering
MULTI-HOUSING NEWS
CIM, Bryant Group Ventures Launch $1B Affordable Housing Fund
featuring John Hope Bryant and CIM’s Avi Shemesh
November 2025
Read Now
Community Involvement
Since 1994, contributing to communities has been part of CIM’s DNA. We’re committed to making a positive difference through volunteerism andcommunity service.
Previous CIM Affordable and Workforce Housing Projects
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Park Place at Van Dorn
LOS ANGELES, CA
Parkview Living Apartments
NEW YORK, NY
Cherry Street
ANNANDALE, VA
Vistas of Annandale
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about our impact driven approach to affordable housing?
Fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.
Data as of 6/30/25.
- CIM is not affiliated with Bryant Group Ventures
CIM 4967009