Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Marshall Heights Residents Get Cheap New Digs


Mayor Adrian Fenty joined executives today from The Community Builders in the Fairlawn - Marshall Heights neighborhood for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of Ward 7's $20 million Fairlawn-Marshall Apartment renovation, providing another subsidized housing project for the Pennsylvania Avenue neighborhood. The mixed-income housing renovation marks the first DC project for The Community Builders, a Boston-based, nonprofit housing developer with projects in 14 states.

The DC Housing Authority (DCHA), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the Department of Mental Health were also on hand to celebrate the part they played in funding the overhaul of 98-units within eight buildings spanning the 2700 block of Q and R Streets, SE as well as the 5000 block of Call Place Street, SE.


Adrianne Todman, DCHA's interim Executive Director, credited the newly remodeled homes as a shining example of "the power of partnership" in DC, adding that projects like this one show that "Housing Authorities are players in real estate deals."

Beginning in February of this year and wrapping up in August, the Fairlawn-Marshall redevelopment was made possible through financing provided by the Housing Production Trust Fund, DCHA, The Department of Mental Health, Enterprise Community Partners and Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Additionally, Community Builder's VP Rob Fossi paid credit to Aegon for bringing "in money from Holland to make this possible."

Renovations encompassed everything from the installation of energy efficient heating and cooling systems to kitchen and bath upgrades to new security entries. At the conclusion of the conference, Mayor Fenty led attendees on a tour of the updated apartments designed by the Bethesda-based Environmental Design Group.

Because they are financed through Low Income Housing Tax Credits, all 98 units will be income and rent restricted. Thirty units will receive public housing assistance from DCHA, with an additional 10 units being designated for supportive housing for disabled clients through a contract with DCHA and the DC Department of Mental Health.

1 comments:

Deanwoodenizen on Oct 26, 2009, 2:22:00 PM said...

If you are trying to send a subliminal message to East Washington residents, it was received. The article's title "...cheap new digs" and the description as "...another subsidized housing project..." are ringers. Residents (progressive residents at least) are trying to convince decision makers that to really revitalize Wards 7 and 8 the neighborhoods need mixed income housing and mid-high level retail and office; these are well-known ingredients to sustained economic growth. This development would have been just as welcomed and I dare say more successful with a mix 40-60 or 30-30-30 or 25-15-60 (you get the picture). Hopefully, city leaders and developers reading this article will get your hint and don't just go after the low-hanging fruit.

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