Safehold Named 2026 Ivory Prize Finalist for Affordable Housing Innovation
Rhea-AI Summary
Safehold (NYSE: SAFE) was named a finalist for the 2026 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability, recognizing organizations with scalable solutions across finance, construction and policy. Safehold highlighted its ground lease capital as a tool to bridge capital structure gaps and noted it launched an Affordable Housing team in 2025.
The company emphasized elevated interest rates and construction costs as headwinds and pointed to ground leases as a way to help move projects forward.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SAFE was down 2.98% while peers showed mixed moves: GNL (-1.54%), AHH (-2.69%), GOOD (-1.46%), CTO (-1.04%), and AAT up 0.97%. Momentum scanners only flagged AHH to the upside, suggesting today’s action in SAFE was more stock-specific than a broad sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17 | Earnings report | Negative | +2.9% | Star Holdings reported Q4 and FY 2025 net losses tied partly to SAFE. |
| Feb 11 | Earnings report | Positive | -1.4% | SAFE posted FY 2025 revenue and net income growth plus an A- S&P rating. |
| Jan 29 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | +1.1% | Company set dates and access details for Q4 and FY 2025 earnings release. |
| Jan 22 | Dividend tax details | Neutral | -5.7% | SAFE disclosed 2025 dividend tax characterization and Section 199A/897/1061 details. |
| Jan 06 | Affordable housing deal | Positive | +3.0% | Closed ground lease for 207-unit LIHTC affordable housing project in Woodland Hills. |
Recent SAFE-related news often saw price moves that diverged from the apparent tone of the announcements, both on earnings and informational releases.
Over the last few months, SAFE’s news flow featured earnings, capital structure updates and affordable housing activity. On Feb 11, 2026, Safehold reported FY’25 revenue of $385.6 million and net income of $114.5 million, yet shares fell 1.4%. A January dividend tax treatment notice saw a 5.74% decline, while a Jan 6 affordable housing ground lease announcement coincided with a 2.95% gain. Today’s Ivory Prize finalist recognition extends the affordable housing narrative built around the dedicated team formed in 2025.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscores Safehold’s role in affordable housing, with its ground lease model earning 2026 Ivory Prize finalist status. It builds on the dedicated Affordable Housing team formed in 2025 and prior deals like the 207-unit Woodland Hills project. In context of recent earnings, debt facility updates and dividend tax disclosures, investors may watch how affordable housing originations, unrealized capital appreciation and leverage metrics evolve alongside recognition-focused milestones like this award nomination.
Key Terms
ground lease financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
"We're proud to be part of the solution to address the considerable unmet demand for affordable housing," said Steve Wylder, Safehold's Head of Investments. "Housing affordability is a challenging issue, especially as elevated interest rates and construction costs put added pressure on developers. Safehold's ground lease capital has proven very useful in bridging capital structure gaps and moving projects forward."
The Ivory Prize is an annual award recognizing innovative, feasible and scalable solutions to advance U.S. housing affordability.
"There is no silver bullet for our nation's housing crisis, but this year's Ivory Prize finalists are delivering proven solutions to the diverse set of challenges that keep costs high," said Chad Reed, Vice President of Programs and Strategy at Ivory Innovations. "In a fragmented, risk-averse housing industry, the Ivory Prize exists to elevate what works so others can learn from these great solutions and examples and replicate them at scale."
Safehold established a dedicated Affordable Housing team in 2025 with the goal of expanding its investment into the sector. Additional information is available at www.safeholdaffordablehousing.com.
About Safehold:
Safehold Inc. (NYSE: SAFE) is revolutionizing real estate ownership by providing a new and better way for owners to unlock the value of the land beneath their buildings. Having created the modern ground lease industry in 2017, Safehold continues to help owners of high quality multifamily, affordable housing, office, industrial, hospitality, student housing, life science and mixed-use properties generate higher returns with less risk. The Company, which is taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT), seeks to deliver safe, growing income and long-term capital appreciation to its shareholders. Additional information on Safehold is available on its website at www.safeholdinc.com.
Investments Contact: Head of Investments | IR Contact:
SVP, Head of Corporate Finance |
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SOURCE Safehold
FAQ
What does Safehold (SAFE) being a 2026 Ivory Prize finalist mean for investors?
Why was Safehold (SAFE) selected as a finalist for the 2026 Ivory Prize?
How does Safehold's ground lease capital help affordable housing projects, according to Safehold (SAFE)?
When did Safehold (SAFE) establish its Affordable Housing team and why is that important?
Where can investors find more information about Safehold's affordable housing initiatives (SAFE)?
