Barry Farm - The Asberry

The Barry Farm neighborhood is located off Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, west of historic Anacostia in Washington, D.C. and was originally established in 1867 as the first African-American homeownership community in Washington, D.C. for newly freed slaves. Over time, the original 375-acre site dwindled in size and in 1943 The National Capital Housing Authority acquired 24 acres and built the Barry Farm public housing project.

In 2013, POAH was selected by the District of Columbia Housing Authority to develop a mixed-use community serving residents of varying incomes in a mix of unit types and adding retail, service uses, and a community park which will benefit many of the current residents and the Anacostia neighborhood. Phase 1 is creating 432 apartments in three new, attractive multi-family buildings and 115 modern townhomes and made significant new public infrastructure. The Asberry is the first construction building with 108 affordable apartments with a preference for those aged 55+. The five story development features a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and ground floor commercial space, two landscaped courtyards and a rooftop deck, fitness room, library, lounge and community space.  It received Passive Housing Institute US certification in 2025.

Phase 2 will add more apartments and townhomes plus a community center and park. Barry Farm's historic legacy will be reflected in a new cultural center, sidewalk pavings, indoor and outdoor murals and links to the existing Anacostia & Hillsdale African American Heritage Trail.

For more information, visit the Barry Farm website at www.barryfarmredevelopment.org.