September 18, 2025 —Kendal at Oberlin’s A+ Issuer Default Rating (IDR) has been reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings. The rating outlook continues to be stable.
“The affirmation of the ‘A+’ IDR reflects Kendal at Oberlin’s strong market position as a single site, life plan community (LPC) with a national draw, and its midrange operating risk, with a history of solid operating metrics and steady capital spending,” according to Fitch.
Fitch rates over 150 life plan communities nationwide. Kendal at Oberlin is one of just four life plan, or continuing care retirement communities, to achieve the A+ rating.
Seth Vilensky Kendal at Oberlin CEO said, “It is a testament to the strength of our entire community – our leadership team, staff, residents, and board – that we continue to achieve the A+ ratings from Fitch. We are very pleased with this result and are committed to the highest quality of service and stewardship.”
Fitch pointed to several key factors for Kendal’s A+ rating:
An average independent living occupancy of 96% over the past five years;
Affiliation with The Kendal Corporation, a system of 10 communities in eight states that provides resources and expertise not typically available to smaller stand-alone communities;
Kendal’s proximity to Oberlin College, which offers residents a myriad of opportunities, many free, such as auditing classes, participating in intergenerational progams and attending concerts and lectures;
Strong operating, financial and capital metrics;
And demand for the independent living expansion, currently in the early stages of development.
About Kendal at Oberlin: Kendal is a nonprofit life plan community serving older adults in northeast Ohio. Located just one mile from Oberlin College and Conservatory, and about a 40 minute drive from downtown Cleveland, the community offers a vibrant resident-led lifestyle with access to music, art and lifelong learning.