WASHINGTON D.C. – Nonprofit Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), in partnership with the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), have closed on the financing for The Edmonson, the second new construction building in Phase I of the Barry Farm redevelopment project in Southeast Washington, DC.
The Edmonson will include 139 affordable units, including 50 replacement units for former Barry Farm residents, 20,000-square-feet of ground floor retail space, shared community spaces and outdoor amenities.
The Barry Farm redevelopment project, located east of the Anacostia River and just south of Historic Anacostia, is being developed under the New Communities Initiative (NCI), a District Government program designed to revitalize severely distressed subsidized housing and redevelop neighborhoods into vibrant mixed-income communities.
Barry Farm-Hillsdale was originally established in 1867 as the first African-American homeownership community in Washington, D.C. for newly freed slaves. The community thrived and established a firm foundation of community organizations and leaders. This legacy continued through the Barry Farm Dwellings, a public housing community constructed in the 1940s whose residents continued to be trailblazers and advocates for racial and economic justice nationally, in DC and their own community.
“This closing represents a critical step forward in delivering on our commitment to return former Barry Farm residents to their community, while honoring the site’s rich historical significance and investing in the neighborhood’s legacy,” said DCHA Executive Director Keith Pettigrew.
One of the largest public housing communities in the District, the Barry Farm redevelopment project will create 900 residential apartments of varying types and sizes, including at least 380 affordable replacement units onsite for former Barry Farm residents, an additional 320 other affordable units and 200 homeownership units. In addition to housing, the redevelopment will include all new public utilitysystems, “green” eco-friendly landscaping, community-serving retail spaces, and a large central park with community facilities for on-site services and programs.
Last fall, POAH, in partnership with Brightcore Energy and Engenium Group was awarded a $2.5M grant by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia to incorporate a community geothermal system at the development.
"DC Green Bank is proud to be a partner in the redevelopment of Barry Farm and to invest in green affordable housing for residents of Ward 8, said Trisha Miller, CEO of DC Green Bank. "This historic investment in a community that has been too often left behind is not only delivering affordable housing, but also putting the residents of Barry Farm at the forefront of a clean energy future.”
Starting in 2006, the plan for a new community was developed through a planning process sponsored by the DC Government in conjunction with the Barry Farm Advisory Committee with the goal “to create a vibrant mixed-income neighborhood where residents have quality housing options, real economic opportunities and access to appropriate human services for children and adults.”
POAH and DCHA will soon complete construction on the first building of the development - The Asberry, named after the late Asberry Sanker Jr. The 108-unit affordable building, which has a preference for seniors aged 55 years and older, will offer 77 replacement units for previous residents, a wellness room fitness center, community room and landscaped courtyard and 5,000 square feet of retail space.
EDMONSON FUNDING SOURCES:
Syndicator: National Affordable Housing Trust - Chase
- Construction Lender: Chase
- Permanent Loan: Chase (Fannie MTEB)
- Bond Issuer: DCHFA
- Legal Counsel: Klein Hornig
- Other Construction Sources: DC Green Bank, DCHA, DMPED
About POAH: Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit developer, owner and operator of 13,000 affordable rental apartments in 11 states and the District of Columbia. POAH’s primary mission is to preserve and steward sustainable affordable renting housing for low-to-moderate income individuals and families.
www.poah.org | barryfarmredevelopment.org | @barryfarmredev
About DC Housing Authority: The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is committed to providing safe, affordable, and quality housing to the residents of the District of Columbia. The agency emphasizes fostering a collaborative work environment to meet the highest expectations of the affordable housing industry. With a focus on innovation and community development, DCHA strives to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating sustainable and thriving communities. Learn more at our website about DCHA and the work that the agency is doing to impact the residents of Washington, D.C.