Community Investment Strategies

What Community Investment Strategies does

Community Investment Strategies, Inc. (CIS) is a privately held, woman-owned affordable housing developer, owner, and operator headquartered in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Founded in 1994 by CEO Christiana Foglio, who previously led the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and chaired the Council on Affordable Housing, the company develops, finances, constructs, and long-term manages affordable multi-family and senior housing communities across New Jersey. The firm structures complex transactions using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), tax-exempt bonds, state and federal grants, HOME Investment Partnerships, Federal Home Loan Bank programs, and HUD financing, and then retains ownership through its wholly owned property management subsidiary, CIS Management, Inc.

The company's portfolio spans more than 3,775 apartment rental units across 50+ communities in over a dozen New Jersey counties, with a stated valuation exceeding $600 million. Products are organized under sub-brands including Heritage Village (12+ 55+ active adult communities), The Place at (multi-family affordable rental locations such as Haddonfield, Manalapan, Plainsboro, and Sayreville), Crescent Communities (multi-family rentals), and The Clare Estate (independent and assisted living in Bordentown). Signature construction features include a town-over-flat apartment design with private entrances and individual street addresses, ENERGY STAR certification, Zero Energy Ready Home design standards, and post-hurricane resiliency practices.

CIS operates a vertically integrated business model with three functional units: CIS Real Estate Development (planning, financing, and entitlement), CIS Construction (new construction, renovation, redevelopment, and contract negotiation for projects ranging $3 million to over $30 million), and CIS Management (on-site operations, leasing, and resident services for the owned portfolio plus third-party contracts). Revenue derives from rental income on the owned affordable housing portfolio, development and construction fees, and recurring property management fees. GTM is enterprise-style: the firm engages municipal governments, county agencies, and the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to secure land, zoning, and 9% LIHTC awards, then partners with institutional tax-credit investors (Boston Capital, Redstone Equity, Enterprise Community Partners) and construction lenders (Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Citizens Bank, TD Bank) for capital. The company has launched three significant projects in 2025-2026 (The Place at Haddonfield, Heritage Village at Lambertville preservation, The Willow at Hoboken) and maintains 90%+ occupancy across the operating portfolio.

Name

Community Investment Strategies

Legal name

Community Investment Strategies, Inc.

Website

https://communityinvestmentstrategies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Investment Strategies is a New Jersey-based, woman-owned developer, builder, and long-term operator of affordable and senior multifamily housing, owning 3,775+ units across 50+ communities and serving low- and moderate-income families and seniors through LIHTC-financed projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Development

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF), Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB), Independent Living within CCRC Campuses (IL Component) (HLADAAAF), Senior Living & Assisted Living Facility Construction (IMAFACAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Senior housing communities
• Multi-family rental housing
• LIHTC tax credit financing
• Property management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Apartment Rental Income: CIS owns and manages a portfolio of over 3,775 apartment rental units across New Jersey. Revenue is generated through monthly rental payments from residents in affordable and senior housing communities. Properties consistently exceed 90% occupancy rates, surpassing average local and regional market rates.
2. Real Estate Development Fees: As a developer, CIS earns development fees for structuring complex affordable housing transactions, coordinating financing through tax credits and public-private partnerships, and overseeing construction from inception to completion.
3. Property Management Services: CIS Management provides comprehensive property management services for the entire CIS portfolio as well as third-party contracts, including hands-on community management, resident relations, and around-the-clock support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CIS develops, constructs, owns, and manages affordable rental housing communities for seniors (55+) and multi-family households across New Jersey, alongside related real estate development, construction, and property management services. The company structures complex Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), tax-exempt bond, and HUD-funded transactions; partners with municipalities and housing authorities to entitle projects; and operates the stabilized portfolio long-term through its wholly owned subsidiary CIS Management, Inc.

Product overview

Community Investment Strategies (CIS) operates as an integrated affordable housing development company offering a portfolio of housing products through distinct sub-brands. The company develops, builds, and manages multi-family housing (Crescent Communities, The Place at) and senior housing (Heritage Village 55+ communities, Specialized Senior Living including The Clare Estate) across New Jersey. CIS provides comprehensive in-house services including real estate development, construction, and property management, creating a full continuum of services for its residents and investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Heritage Village: 55+ Active Adult senior housing communities throughout New Jersey
• The Place
• Clare Court at The Clare Estate
• The Clare Estate

Products and services

• 55+ Active Adult Communities (Heritage Village brand) Affordable income-restricted rental housing for adults aged 55 and older across New Jersey, featuring energy-efficient construction, community rooms, on-site management, and organized activities and services tailored to seniors. Units are reserved for households earning 30%, 50%, or 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
• The Place at (Multi-Family Communities) Affordable multi-family rental housing communities located across Burlington, East Windsor, Haddonfield, Manalapan, Marlboro, Middletown, Plainsboro, and Sayreville, offering various unit configurations and amenities for low- and moderate-income families and individuals under The Place brand.
• Crescent Communities (Multi-Family Brand) Multi-family affordable rental housing communities branded under the Crescent Communities portfolio, including Connecticut Crescent, Carolina Crescent, Hampton Crescent, Royal Crescent, Royal Oaks, Tanyard Oaks, Whitney Crescent, Toms River Crescent, Windsor Crescent, North Brunswick Crescent, Marveland Crescent, Waters Edge Crescent, and Chambers Crescent.
• Specialized Senior Living (The Clare Estate) Assisted living and senior housing including Clare Courts at The Clare Estate and The Clare Estate in Bordentown, NJ, offering independent and assisted living options for seniors with continuum-of-care services.
• The Willow at Hoboken A 6-story, 100% affordable senior housing development with 36 deed-restricted units for seniors aged 55+, built to ENERGY STAR and Zero Energy Ready Home standards, located at 1033 Willow Avenue in Hoboken, NJ.
• Heritage Village at Lambertville Renovation Preservation and renovation of 86 affordable senior apartments (76 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom units) at Heritage Village at Lambertville, securing over $15 million in combined LIHTC, bond, and state financing.
• CIS Real Estate Development Services Comprehensive real estate development services including planning, financing structuring (LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, HUD, state grants), construction management, and community revitalization for multi-family, senior, and mixed-use developments throughout New Jersey.
• CIS Construction Services Construction services for affordable housing developments including new construction, renovation, redevelopment, estimation, scheduling, and contract negotiation, with project sizes ranging from $3 million to over $30 million.
• CIS Management (Property Management Services) Property management services delivered through wholly owned subsidiary CIS Management, Inc., providing comprehensive and responsive management for the entire CIS portfolio as well as third-party contracts, including hands-on community managers, resident relations, and around-the-clock support.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and regional.

• Shore Builders AssociationminorOthersRegional builders association providing industry networking and award recognition.
• New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA)minorOthersState apartment association providing advocacy, networking, and awards including Garden State Awards.
• Fair Share Housing CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit advocacy organization partnered on The Place at Haddonfield project to create inclusive affordable housing in partnership with the Borough of Haddonfield.
• Lakewood TownshipregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for affordable housing developments in Lakewood, New Jersey.
• HACE (Housing and Community Development Network of NJ)regionalOthersStatewide nonprofit supporting community development through affordable housing.
• UCNJ (Urban Coalition of NJ)minorOthersCoalition of urban municipalities supporting community development initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Community Builders: National nonprofit developer/owner/manager of affordable and mixed-income housing using LIHTC; comparable to CIS on integrated mission-driven multifamily model.
• BRIDGE Housing: Mission-driven nonprofit developer/owner/manager of affordable and senior housing using LIHTC and public financing; comparable business model to CIS, primarily operating on the West Coast.
• The Michaels Organization: One of the largest US affordable housing owner/operators, headquartered in New Jersey, actively develops LIHTC-financed multifamily and senior communities — the most directly comparable peer to CIS by geography, business model, and product mix.
• L+M Development Partners: Affordable, mixed-income, and market-rate multifamily developer with East Coast footprint using LIHTC and public financing; comparable to CIS in deal complexity and integrated development/management.
• The NHP Foundation: National nonprofit that develops, owns, and manages affordable and mixed-income multifamily housing with LIHTC; closely matches CIS's mission-driven, asset-and-services integrated approach.
• Jonathan Rose Companies: Affordable and mixed-income developer focused on sustainable/green multifamily housing (ENERGY STAR-aligned); directly comparable to CIS's energy-efficient construction emphasis and town-over-flat design ethos.
• WinnCompanies: Boston-based developer/manager of affordable, market-rate, and senior housing including LIHTC communities; directly comparable for the owner-operator plus third-party property management structure that mirrors CIS Management.
• Pennrose Properties: National developer, owner, and manager of affordable and mixed-income multifamily housing, often using LIHTC and tax-exempt bonds — closely comparable to CIS's integrated development + property management model.

Broad incumbents

• Bozzuto Group: Multifamily developer, owner, and third-party manager with affordable/senior exposure; relevant broader comparable for the integrated development + property management services business that CIS Management represents.
• Related Companies (Affordable Housing): Large diversified real estate firm whose affordable housing arm develops/owns tens of thousands of LIHTC units; relevant as a scaled incumbent comparable to CIS, though much broader in mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cisnj
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-investment-strategies-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/cis_communities
• Xx.com/cisnewjersey

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Investment Strategies