Affordable Housing Campaign
WIN has been organizing on the issue of affordable housing since its founding in the mid-1990’ s. When Rufaro Jenkins, a leader at Brighter Day UMC & former tenant of Parkway Overlook Apartments asked“ Raise your hand if you or someone you know is struggling to find affordable housing in DC” at an action, every hand in the building rose.
Goal 1: Completing 1,000 + units of affordable housing in the WIN pipeline
WIN is focused on completing the development and preservation of over 1,000 + units of affordable housing in the WIN pipeline. UrbanMatters Development Partners LLC(“ UrbanMatters”), WIN’ s affiliated affordable housing developer, will produce a significant number of these units. Our organizing of tenant and community leaders to politically support affordable housing development and preservation will help create others.
WIN Pipeline
Eastbrooke Apartments | COMPLETED! On September 25th, 2015, UrbanMatters and WIN held a packed-out ceremony to celebrate the opening of 39 affordable apartments homes called the Eastbrooke at Beulah Crossing! Where a blighted lot was an eyesore in the Deanwood Heights community for decades, there are now beautiful 1, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable apartment homes with modern kitchens, a community room with free wi-fi, and a library, gym and business center for resident use. The project was financed with Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax exempt bonds, private financing, and a District affordable housing investment.
Emory Beacon Center A mixed-use development project of the Emory Beacon of Light in the Brightwood neighborhood with 99 units of affordable housing units( 91 for families and 8 for permanent supportive housing). WIN organized to support the project at the Historic Preservation Review Board after the site was declared historic. The project was ultimately approved and expected to have a 2016 groundbreaking.
Covenant Full Potential Center UrbanMatters and WIN-member Covenant Baptist UCC are driving the development of 30 units of senior housing and community space in Ward 8. They are currently applying for funding from the Housing Production Trust Fund, a funding source that WIN organized around the 2014 Mayor ' s race.
Parkway Overlook WIN has been organizing to preserve 200 + units of low income housing at Parkway Overlook in Ward 8 located across the street from WIN-member Brighter Day Ministries’ A. P. Shaw Campus. WIN is working with former tenants to ensure that resident ideas are incorporated into the site plan, the project is funded, and renovations will begin in 2016 / 2017.
Wards 1 & 4 Leaders from All Souls Church Unitarian, St. Augustine Catholic Church, St. Stephen Episcopal Church, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church began building relationships across race and class with tenants from 9 apartment buildings. Their purpose is to press for the preservation and construction of affordable housing in their area. Their group gathering in July had 88 congregation members and tenants.