Press Release
Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, Inc. Awarded DHCD Funding for 100 New Affordable Apartment Homes at 2911 Rhode Island Ave NE
Summary
Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, Inc. acquired land at 2911 Rhode Island Ave NE and will develop a new 100-unit affordable apartment building with funding via DHCD. DCRA has issued a building permit. Apartments will be affordable to those earning between 30% and 80% of the area’s Median Family Income. Construction is set to begin in early 2023.
Washington, D.C. – July 19, 2022
Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, Inc. (LWH) plans to develop 100 affordable housing units at 2911 Rhode Island Ave NE. The project is proceeding in earnest following the February 2022 announcement of a DHCD funding award by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
All apartments will be made available to those earning less than 80% of Median Family Income (MFI). More than half of the dwelling units will be reserved for households earning less than 50% of MFI, and one fifth of the units will be designated Permanent Supporting Housing (PSH) for those at or below 30% MFI.
With over 50 years of stewardship in DC’s Shaw community, LWH will expand to other areas of the city to continue its mission of creating and preserving affordable housing and supporting its residents with empowering and enriching opportunities and services. Building on its success in creating, preserving, and operating 166 apartments in Shaw, LWH intends to further its affordable housing mission in NE DC and beyond.
KeyUrban, LWH’s long-serving owner representative and development consultant, partnered with EquityPlus, which serves as the project’s finance advisor, to lead the acquisition, design, and development of the property with loans from Missouri-based MRV Banks and the Bank of America. After facilitating receipt of the project’s building permit, KeyUrban and EquityPlus led the successful priority-round application to DHCD’s RFP with its shovel-ready project. LWH is pleased to leverage Mayor Bowser’s historic $400 million investment in the Housing Production Trust Fund in Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022 and will also utilize Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP) funding to underwrite the deeply affordable units.
“We are excited to lead the construction of 100 new affordable homes, leveraging the District’s investments. We are pleased to help Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing expand its footprint and provide its vital housing and services to more DC residents,” remarked KeyUrban’s principal Dahn Warner.
2911 Rhode Island Ave NE will offer 100 apartments with approximately 15 three-bedrooms, 24 two-bedrooms, 41 one-bedrooms, and 20 studios. All 15 three-bedroom units and 6 of the two-bedroom units will serve as Public Supportive Housing (PSH) units qualifying for the LRSP rent subsidy. LWH will support PSH households with the help of JayDot, a DC-based organization focused on housing solutions for the most vulnerable neighbors, particularly those who have experienced homelessness.
The PGN Architects-led design of the five story plus penthouse by-right development occupies nearly 28,000 square feet of land. The building includes a sub-grade parking garage with access from Monroe Street NE with parking for 30+ cars and 40+ bicycles.
The LWH Board eagerly awaits groundbreaking for this much anticipated affordable housing in the District’s Woodridge neighborhood. "We are committed to providing quality affordable housing and services for DC's residents," declared Sharon Bartholomew, LWH Board Vice President. David Jacobs, LWH President, added: “The need for more affordable housing has never been clearer. This new housing will contribute to the health and well-being of our city's families.”
LWH hopes to break ground in early 2023. Hamel Builders will construct the building with oversight and modifications by Miner Feinstein Architects; CT Group will serve as management and leasing agent.
About Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, Inc.
Founded in 1967, Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, Inc. (LWH) is a non-profit providing quality affordable housing and community support in the Shaw community. Its mission is the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the District of Columbia and environs, helping those in need by contributing to the growth, health, and vitality of the community. For more information, visit www.lwhousing.org.