--District of Columbia Housing Authority--

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), under the management of Executive Director Michael Kelly, has firmly established itself as a highly capable agency, utilizing innovative approaches for providing quality, affordable housing in the District of Columbia. DCHA’s goals for redevelopment include a continued move toward opportunity for economic, racial and social integration in economically vibrant communities, through the implementation of redevelopment plans that are developed jointly by residents, community members, public and private partners and are in line with market forces.

The Redevelopment Program of DCHA, under the leadership of Larry Dwyer, Director of the Office of Planning and Development, with support from an experienced, accomplished staff, has emerged as a national model based on its successful implementation of complex redevelopment projects which bring together public and private partners to create bold solutions to the unique problems faced by each of the communities slated for redevelopment. DCHA works closely with D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams to make dramatic improvements in the quality of life for low-income residents of the District of Columbia. Other partners include local resident organizations, the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA), as well as local non-profit and community-based organizations.

While revitalization strategies for the various redevelopment projects are unique and are designed specifically to enhance individual communities, all share common characteristics. Each of the projects improves the physical design elements by reducing density, creating defensible space, substantially improving landscaping and incorporating the prevalent architectural characteristics of the surrounding community. The projects are also designed to create mixed-income developments, incorporate economic and self-sufficiency opportunities for residents and provide homeownership opportunities wherever possible.

HOPE VI Demolition Grants- Based on a determination that all or portions of the following developments were severely distressed, HUD provided funding for the demolition of Fort Dupont/Stoddert Terrace, Highland Addition and East Capitol Dwellings, the latter was subsequently included in the New East Capitol[A2] HOPE VI project. HOPE VI demolition grants include funding for relocation and social services for residents of demolished properties.

Mixed Finance -Mixed-Finance projects are those which combine public, private, and non-profit funds to develop housing developments for families with a wide range of incomes. The benefit of mixed-finance development is not only that it provides the greatest ability to leverage funds, it also enhances long term sustainability through the development of public and private partnerships. In addition to the HOPE VI sites listed above, Edgewood Gardens represents a mixed-finance development.

Homeownership-While most redevelopment plans integrate an element of homeownership into each project, two properties, Frontiers and Capitol View Townhomes, and a portion of the scattered site inventory were identified exclusively for conversion to homeownership opportunity for public housing and other low income residents of the District. DCHA offers an array of services to potential homebuyers addressing issues such as budgeting and money management, credit counseling, financing options, avoiding predatory lenders, foreclosure prevention, asset building, refinancing and renovation. Capitol View Townhomes was converted to homeownership through an independent 5(h) plan, and conveyed to a low-income cooperative formed by former public housing families living in the development in September 2001.

Disposition-DCHA determined a small number of severely distressed properties lacked the characteristics that would make redevelopment a viable option. It was further determined that selling the properties, with certain restrictions, would provide the greatest benefit to low-income residents in the District. The disposition of Edgewood Terrace, Fort Dupont and Deanwood, and the planned disposition of Kentucky Courts, all make way for non-profit developers to build affordable housing on sites that would otherwise be left unutilized. The disposition of Arthur Capper Family to the United States Marine Corps will result in a recreational facility for the surrounding community and paves the way for the revitalization of remaining Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg under the HOPE VI program.

The goals for the revitalization of DCHA communities extend beyond the physical structures to fostering lasting changes in the lives of public housing and Section 8 residents and other low-income residents of the District. All of the programs listed above include a support services component, which emphasize economic development and self-sufficiency initiatives, like educational services and apprenticeship programs. Support services, such as day care, after school programs and transportation are provided based on the needs of the particular community.

In addition to the economic development initiatives associated with the programs listed above, the DCHA Redevelopment Program houses numerous economic development programs for the benefit of participants of the public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) as well as low-income residents of the District.

For more information, please call the Office of Planning and Development at (202) 535-1445, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday - Friday