Los Angeles investor TruAmerica Multifamily is launching a new Structured Finance vertical as a complement to its core value-add investment platform, according to a news release shared with Multifamily Dive. The firm has hired experienced real estate finance executive Ash Baraghoush to lead the operation as senior managing director. 

Structured Finance follows on the heels of another new TruAmerica vertical, Affordable Housing, which started in mid-January. The new operation will launch equity and mezzanine debt operations across TruAmerica’s national footprint, with the goal of meeting market demand amid elevated interest rates and capital markets dislocation, according to the release. 

“TruAmerica’s preferred equity offering will fill ongoing equity gaps for multifamily acquisitions, recapitalizations, loan rebalancings and development transactions,” said Noah Hochman, co-chief investment officer and head of capital markets for TruAmerica Multifamily, in the release.

Baraghoush came to TruAmerica from Palo Alto, California-based Pacific Urban Investors, where he was responsible for developing and managing structured finance platforms as a managing director. He was also previously a vice president at Los Angeles-based Ares Management. 

“[Baraghoush’s] expertise in structured finance will allow us to broaden our platform and create new opportunities to benefit our investment strategies and the communities we serve,” said Robert Hart, president and CEO of TruAmerica, in the release. “The launch of this vertical, alongside our recent expansion into Affordable Housing, underscores our commitment to evolving with market needs and delivering innovative solutions.”

TruAmerica Multifamily has over $15.5 billion in assets under management in a portfolio spanning more than 60,000 units. It is active in 16 states and more than 30 markets, with ongoing value-add, build-to-rent, affordable housing and now structured finance strategies.