October 11 marks the groundbreaking of a new affordable housing project in the Washington D.C. neighborhood of Ivy City, a joint project between Habitat for Humanity and Level 2 Development.
Community members, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and officials behind the project gathered to celebrate part of their hopeful solution to continuous gentrification throughout the District. The development will feature 12 new homes in the neighborhood.
With a $1.3 million contribution from Level 2 Development, the development is made available to residents in the D.C. area that make less than 50 percent of the area’s median income (AMI). The AMI of the Washington D.C. metro was $69,235 as of 2014, according to U.S. Census data.
“When it comes to affordable housing, there isn’t a one-size-fits all solution,” Susanne Slater, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity in D.C., said in a statement. “which is why we’re thrilled to be a part of a unique collaboration that helps to provide both affordable rental units and affordable homeownership opportunities. We’re grateful to have an incredible contributor in Level 2 on a project that will help meet the needs of more local families, which is our ultimate goal.”
The homes will have three bedrooms and about 1,500 square feet of living space.
The project kicks off the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development’s Community Development Week (CNHED).
Record investment in local housing
Today’s recent groundbreaking comes at the heels of the beginning of the Beacon Center, a mixed-use development at 6300 Georgia Ave. NW, planned for 99 affordable rental units in the Brightwood neighborhood.
Mayor Bowser’s office announced October 6 that the groundbreaking of the building marked the seal of the promise made by District leaders to commit $100 million from the Housing Production Trust Fund. The fund supports 19 projects that are slated to create or preserve more than 1,200 affordable housing units.
The Beacon Center apartment and mixed-use development will feature 18 units considered “permanent supportive housing,” which is made available to those residents making less than 30 percent of the AMI. The other 81 units will be available to locals making less than 60 percent of the AMI.