CHICAGO — In order to recognize the unique and unprecedented conditions of COVID-19’s impact on its triple-net-leased seniors housing tenants, healthcare REIT Ventas has established a rent deferral program for those care providers for the month of April.
Under the program, certain seniors housing care providers who are Ventas tenants can defer 25 percent of their April 2020 payment obligation until Oct. 1 or receipt of government assistance. All amounts deferred are required to be used for operating expenses to care for seniors at Ventas communities. Ventas says these tenants account for approximately 20 percent of its total portfolio by net operating income.
Based on current expectations, Ventas estimates that the amount of payments deferred under the terms of this program for April could be in the range of $3 million to $9 million.
As of March 28, out of the 740 communities within the Ventas portfolio, 33 communities have experienced at least one confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis affecting approximately 70 residents out of 70,000 and 25 staff out of 55,000. Ventas is based in Chicago.