Greetings Washingtonians, 

The District recently suffered the loss of another major community development leader with the passing of Robert (Bob) Pohlman. Bob’s service to our community was legendary. He served as the District’s Deputy Mayor for Finance. As one of my predecessors as DHCD Director, he was the principal architect of the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF)—and in more recent years was  an active member of our HPTF Advisory Board. He was also Executive Director of the Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED)—that’s when I got to know him well.

Bob was the foremost non-profit housing strategist and advocate in the District. I learned so much from him as he shared his deep knowledge of housing policy and resources, which he combined with deft skill in building political will and always finding a way to bring differing interests together—all for the benefit of District residents. He was a wise and thoughtful leader with strong ties with community development organizations and leaders across all eight wards. I will miss his counsel and friendship. 

Polly Donaldson, DHCD Director

Follow me on Twitter @maryrandolph

A Short Commute, and Comfortable Lifestyle, Thanks to IZ

Tiffany Edmondson grew up in Mississippi, where the cost of living is much lower but career options are more limited. Seeking to expand her job opportunities, she moved to the Washington metropolitan area. She lived in Maryland because she felt the rent was cheaper, but the long commute caused her to be late for work often and she couldn’t enjoy the city life she loved so much. However, with her limited income, she felt she may never be able to afford to live in DC.

Once Tiffany found out about the inclusionary zoning (IZ) program, she immediately registered and attended the orientation conducted by Housing Counseling Services.

“The orientation was very informative and I was receiving the lottery emails within days,” she recalled.Thanks to IZ, she ultimately secured an apartment at F1rst Residences at the Capitol Riverfront.

“For the first time in the six years I've lived in the DMV, I'm finally happy and confident about my living arrangements,” Tiffany said. “Now, I go to work early and I'm able to live comfortably in an apartment that I now call home. I'm so grateful for the IZ program.”

Mi Casa, Inc., will develop property at Florida Avenue and Q Street NW in Ward 5 into the Barnett-Adan Apartments, a 24-unit affordable housing project of which 75 percent will include family-sized units—six three-bedrooms, 12 two-bedrooms and six one-bedrooms. It will include permanent supportive housing (PSH), fully accessible and aging in place units. All will be affordable to households making no more than 80 percent of the Median Family Income (MFI). The specific MFI breakdown (for 2018) is as follows: (1) five units at or below $35,160 (30 percent MFI); (2) five units at or below $58,600 (50 percent MFI); (3) eight units at or below $70,320 (60 percent MFI); and (4) six units at or below $93,760 (80 percent MFI). The project also will have ground floor commercial space. 

Manna Inc., will construct four three-bedroom affordable units for families, along with two market-rate units, at the intersection of 8th and T Streets NW. That Ward 1 site is in the Shaw Greater U Street Historic District. The affordable units will be designated for first-time homebuyers making between $58,600 and $93,760 (50 percent and 80 percent MFI).

HPTF Helps Support Family Housing
DHCD recently closed on loan agreements totaling $9.2 million that will produce or preserve 94 units of affordable housing—expected to house over 170 residents in Wards 5 and 7. 

Habitat for Humanity of Washington, DC, was provided $400,000 in HPTF financing to help construct 14 two- and three-bedroom condominiums at 28th Place SE, in the Randle Highlands neighborhood of Ward 8. That project will be geared toward first-time homebuyers who must fulfill requirements such as contributing 300 hours of “sweat equity.” Five units will be affordable for households making no more than $58,600 (50 percent MFI); the remaining nine units will be for households at or below $93,760 (80 percent MFI).

DHCD provided Wesley Housing Development Corporation (WHDC) with $8.82 million in HPTF financing to preserve 80 one-bedroom units—several to be converted into family-sized units—at the Brookland Place Apartments, at 617-643 Hamlin Street NE and 2908-2920 7th Street NE, in the Ward 5 neighborhood of Brookland. The tenants, through the Brookland Park NE Tenants Association, had invoked their rights under The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). The units will be reconfigured into six studios, 68 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units that will accommodate existing families who are under-housed. All units will be designated for households as follows: (1) 15 units at no more than $35,160 (30 percent MFI); and (2) 65 units at $70,320 (60 percent MFI). 

Ribbon Cuttings Celebrate Housing for Families

Director Donaldson joined Mayor Bowser on May 3 to cut the ribbon on the Atlantic Apartment Homes in the Washington Highlands neighborhood of Ward 8. The property was formerly known as Atlantic Gardens and Atlantic Terrace and was developed by WinnCompanies. DHCD provided $10.6 million in HPTF financing toward this preservation project. Ninety percent of the units will support families—with 70 three-bedrooms, 203 two-bedrooms, and 30 one-bedrooms. The MFI breakdown is as follows: 122 units at $35,160 (30 percent MFI) and 181 units at $58,600 (50 percent MFI). All residents will benefit from expanded community services. The site also hosts the District’s largest solar project. 

A few days later, on May 10, the Mayor and Director Donaldson cut the ribbon on the Portner Flats Apartments, a new mixed-income, mixed-use property in the Cardozo/Shaw neighborhood of Ward 1. DHCD provided a $2.4 million acquisition loan through the HPTF. This project preserves existing affordable units for original tenants, who invoked their rights under TOPA to purchase the building. More than 75 percent of them are returning. It also doubles the amount of affordable units to 96—with 48 at $58,600 (50 percent MFI,) and the balance at-or-below $70,320 (60 percent MFI). New community services were added, and zoning density was increased to incorporate new 288-unit market rate housing and retail. The project was developed by a joint venture team of Somerset Development Company, New Community Partners, and Jonathan Rose Companies.

Vacant to Vibrant DC: Tiny Homes in Action

Here's some great news about Vacant to Vibrant DC Action 5—Seeing a Tiny House in Action. Our initial plan included a demonstration project with one tiny home, but now we have expanded to include a tiny house and a minim house.

Want to know the difference between the two? You'll be able to as part of this community education project, which will be conducted in partnership with the DC Students Construction Trades Foundation. It will feature houses built by students in the Academy of Construction and Design at IDEA Public Charter School in Northeast DC. In the coming weeks, pre-site development will begin at 1109-1110 50th Street NE on the two homes.

Look forward to other announcements on the Action points under Vacant to Vibrant DC as part of June Housing Bloom.

We have other special things planned in celebration of Year 10. Here’s just a tease:

• Design Home Center
• Smart Home Technology
• Tiny Home Living
•  Small Business Marketplace

Our Video Story 

Check out our video, which tells a great visual story of how we are helping residents by producing and preserving affordable housing, and revitalizing neighborhoods, in the District.