November occupancy was 80.1% in Diversified Healthcare Trust’s senior housing operating portfolio, the Newton, MA-based real estate investment trust disclosed Thursday in a press release.

Although that percentage still is 560 basis points below the pre-pandemic November 2019 rate, it represents a 20-basis-point increase from October 2023.

Year-to-date occupancy through Nov. 30 was 78.6%. That percentage is 780 basis points below the same period in 2019. 

Among the 117 communities in the portfolio that are managed by Aleris Life’s Five Star Senior Living, year-to-date occupancy as of Nov. 30 was 79.3%. Year-to-date occupancy as of Nov. 30 for the 106 properties managed by other operators was 77%.

Overall SHOP income from resident fees and services was approximately $1 million through the first 11 months of the year. With property operating expenses of approximately $978,900, SHOP net operating income for the period was $74,176. Factoring in gains from sales of properties, interest on other income and interest expenses, the REIT’s SHOP net income was a loss of $86,285.

“We are actively evaluating all strategies to strengthen DHC’s balance sheet, regain debt covenant compliance, source additional capital to fund our ongoing SHOP recovery and best position the company for long-term growth,” Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Matt Brown previously said. 

One strategy undertaken by executives from DHC was to hire financial adviser B. Riley Securities to evaluate options to address near-term debt maturities and return the company to growth. Another action, taken Dec. 22, was to repay in full a $450 million secured credit facility and issue a notice of redemption of $250 million of senior unsecured notes maturing in May 2024. At the same time, DHC closed $941 million in zero coupon senior secured notes with a maturity date in January 2026 and a one-year extension option.

As of Sept. 30, DHC’s approximately $7.2 billion portfolio included 376 properties (in the SHOP plus leased senior housing communities, life sciences and medical office buildings) in 36 states and Washington, DC. The total includes more than 27,000 senior living units.