Mayor Bowser Delivers New Affordable Housing, Community Amenities at The Beacon Center in Ward 4
(Washington, DC) — (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Bowser cut the ribbon at The Beacon Center, a mixed-use development in the Brightwood neighborhood of Ward 4 that includes 99 affordable housing units— as well as an array of community services—targeted at low- to moderate-income households.
“The Beacon Center reflects a promise kept to the Ward 4 community and a life-changing event for hundreds of residents who will finally be able to secure stable, affordable housing,” said Mayor Bowser. “This development will serve as a model for future projects as we relentlessly commit to turning our record investments into affordable housing that delivers more opportunities for residents.”
In her second term, Mayor Bowser has committed to ramping up the production and preservation of affordable housing to better meet demand—to include an additional 36,000 total units of housing in DC alone—with at least 12,000 of that to be designated as affordable across the income spectrum.
The Beacon Center, located at 6100 Georgia Avenue NW, is a collaborative effort between private entities and city agencies, and is a redevelopment of the historic Emory United Methodist Church. The development includes 99 affordable rental housing units for close to 300 individuals and families—including veterans, seniors, and individuals transitioning from homelessness. Specifically, 18 units are for households making no more than $35,160 (30 percent of the median family income (MFI)) for permanent supportive housing, and 81 units are for households making no more than $70,320 (60 percent MFI). Nearly one-third of units are family sized. Interested households can go to www.beaconcenterresidences.com for leasing information.
The development of The Beacon Center is a collaboration of DC Government agencies, including the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) and the DC Housing Authority (DCHA). The affordable housing component was made possible by $17.2 million in Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) financing from DHCD. DCHA provided $21.6 million in bonds and $16 million of equity raised through four percent low-income housing tax credits. DCHA is administering $215,352 annually in Local Rent Supplement Program funds to support eight efficiency and one-bedroom units for formerly homeless persons.
The Beacon Center also includes multi-purpose space for cultural, civic, and social services, as well as a newly renovated 500-seat multipurpose sanctuary and community theater.
The Mayor was joined at the Beacon Center event by Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and over 200 members from the local and faith-based communities. The Emory Fellowship (Emory United Methodist Church, Emory Beacon of Light, Inc.) and The Community Builders are the development partners for the project.
