CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; [email protected]
Joaquin McPeek (DMPED) – (202) 727-6698; [email protected]
Allison Ladd (DHCD) – (202) 316-7583; [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) –Today, the Bowser Administration broke ground on a $69-million rehabilitation that will preserve 303 apartments as low-income housing in ward 8. The affordability will be guaranteed for at least 40 years through an extension of the current Housing Assistance Payment contract, the use of Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and $10.6 million from the DC Housing Production Trust Fund.
“Renovating affordable housing means safer, stronger neighborhoods and allows our residents to share in the District’s prosperity,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We will continue to fight to preserve, protect and produce quality affordable housing in all 8 wards.”
The massive, two-year effort will not only modernize every aspect of the Atlantic Gardens and Atlantic Terrace apartments, but will also strengthen the job placement and educational services available to residents of the properties.
“This project is concrete evidence of our commitment to maintaining strong, affordable places to live in the District of Columbia,” said Gilbert Winn, CEO of WinnCompanies. “My father had the vision and the tenacity to invest in these properties more than three decades ago. We’re pleased to be able to team up with residents, local officials and our financial partners to envision a new future for these communities.”
This rehabilitation will fully upgrade and modernize the apartments, including kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, flooring, doors, lighting, plumbing, wiring, HVAC systems, smoke detectors and paint. Curbs, sidewalks, parking lots, gutters, fencing, lighting and landscaping will be repaired or improved. New learning centers will be constructed at both properties, a new community room will be created at Atlantic Gardens, and the community room at Atlantic Terrace will be expanded. Two new playgrounds will be constructed at Atlantic Gardens and a third will be upgraded at Atlantic Terrace. Security systems will be enhanced and laundry facilities will be expanded at both communities.
Residents will also benefit from partnerships between WinnCompanies and District non-profit service providers, including the United Planning Organization and City Gate, to bring new and enhanced services to residents of both communities, including: job placement programs, expanded early childhood learning opportunities and new computer learning options . The project also features special economic benefits for the District. WinnCompanies will award a significant portion of the renovation work to Certified Small Business Enterprises in DC, with preferences for businesses in Ward 8 and District residents.
“I am proud of the team effort that has produced a $69 million dollar rehabilitation of Atlantic Gardens and Atlantic Terrace properties,” said Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May. “The result of a successful public-private partnership will bring much-needed services to Ward 8 residents, including early childhood learning programs and workforce development to include job placement. Thank you to Mayor Bowser, WinnCompanies, City Gate, and United Planning Organization for your commitment to preserving affordable housing and creating job opportunities for Ward 8 residents.”
“WinnCompanies’ renovation of Atlantic Gardens and Atlantic Terrace exemplifies the type of affordable housing developments I want for the District,” said DHCD Director Polly Donaldson. “It preserves 303 units of affordable housing for 40 years, all without displacing any current residents. Plus, it uses local small businesses for much of the work, and embraces green building standards that will save the residents on their utility bills and promote environmental stewardship.”
Financing for the project is being provided by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA), Citi Community Capital, DC Sustainable Energy Utility, and Boston Financial Investment Management.
Approximately 100 construction jobs and four permanent jobs will be created by the project. The renovation is expected to be completed in September 2017.
WinnCompanies acquired the properties in 1982. The two communities occupy eight acres along 3rd and 4th streets in Southeast. Atlantic Gardens, which was built in 1948 and last renovated in 1982, features 105 apartments within five three-story garden-style buildings. Atlantic Terrace, constructed in 1964 and last renovated in 1988, is comprised of 195 units spread across 6 three and four-story garden-style buildings.
Since taking office, Mayor Bowser has made affordable housing a major focus of her Administration. Earlier this year, she committed an historic $100 million to the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) to expand affordable housing opportunities and create more pathways to the middle class for District residents. To date, those funds have yielded over 1,300 affordable units. Mayor Bowser also created a Housing Preservation Strike Force, a team tasked with developing an action plan to preserve existing affordable housing in the District.
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