July 2018 DHCD Connection Newsletter

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 07/18/2018 06:45 PM EDT

Department of Housing and Community Development Connection

Letter from the DHCD Director

Greetings Washingtonians,

We are building on the energy from June Housing Bloom and reflecting on the year thus far.

DHCD has had a busy, and rewarding, FY 2018. We’ve closed nearly 20 projects—including the new senior affordable housing at the Parks at Walter Reed in Ward 4—that will produce and preserve housing for over 3,000 residents. We’ve aggressively moved forward on several housing preservation initiatives. We provided home purchase assistance for over 200 households. We issued the latest report on Inclusionary Zoning, which documents that since 2015 IZ has produced over 500 units of affordable housing within market rate developments—with 400 units created in the last two years alone. And we had the biggest Housing Expo and Home Show ever.

We are able to do this, and more, thanks to a variety of funding resources. On the local level for housing, the final FY19 District budget includes Mayor Bowser’s continued $100 million commitment to the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF), as well as an additional $10 million for the newly created Affordable Housing Preservation Fund.

And this month, on the community development side, we are making new funding available, including a $1.5 million grant for small business technical assistance from our U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) federal funding. We are in the midst of finalizing our HUD Annual Action Plan, and your input at a July 25 citywide hearing is crucial as we evaluate how to best use federal funding to meet community needs.

I hope you all enjoy some relaxing time off this summer as we gear up for more this fall.

Polly Donaldson, DHCD Director

Follow me on Twitter: @maryrandolph

HPAP Helps Couple Find their Long-Desired Refuge

Kassauhn Workneh and Helen Degife thought that their home should be their refuge, but a host of problems with their rental apartment made them want to escape. They did try to resolve issues by working with the Affordable Housing Preservation team of the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)—a DHCD-funded community-based organization. In the end, however, they felt that purchasing a home, instead of renting, was their best option.

Workneh and Degife attended the orientation class for the Home Purchase Assistance Program and started working with one of LEDC housing counselors. When they had some external challenges with completing the HPAP application, the underwriting and counseling agencies were able to help so they could move forward. so they could move forward. Once Workneh and Degife received their HPAP approval letter, they linked up with Manna, Inc. and earlier this year became happy homeowners of the sanctuary they long desired—a townhome in Ward 7.

71 Affordable Apartments Coming to
Transit-Oriented Mount Vernon Triangle

June Housing Bloom closed out in a big way, with DHCD and other District agencies joining Mayor Bowser and Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner for a June 22 groundbreaking of 71 affordable housing units at Liberty Place Apartments in Ward 6.

Located at 901 3rd Street NW in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood, the project will be comprised of 71 studio-, one-, and two-bedrooms units, with 80 percent serving households below 60 percent of the Median Family Income (MFI) ($70,320 in 2018 based on a family of four) and 20 percent at or below 30 percent MFI ($35,160). Fourteen units of permanent supportive housing (PSH) are designated for those experiencing homelessness and seven units will be for veterans.

In her remarks, Donaldson thanked the Mayor for her leadership in producing and preserving affordable housing and noted how DHCD’s “one stop shop” request-for-proposals process—as well as $9.2 million in financing through the HPTF—are helping to make the project possible. Donaldson also thanked the DHCD project managers, Joseph Knackstedt (Development Finance Division [DFD]) and Dionne Joemah (legal).

Seniors Will Have New Affordable Housing at Walter Reed

The temperature was high, but the spirit of an enthusiastic crowd of over 150 seniors and community partners was even higher during a July 16 groundbreaking celebration with Mayor Bowser, Councilmember Brandon Todd, Deputy Mayor Kenner and Director Donaldson for Abrams Hall Senior Apartments. This 80-unit housing community for seniors will be on the campus of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center, now The Parks at Walter Reed, in Ward 4.

The project will have 64 units targeting seniors at or below 50 percent MFI (representing a one-person household income at or below $41,000) and 16 PSH units for seniors at or below 30 percent MFI (representing a one-person household income at or below $24,600).

Donaldson remarked, “If we want to do affordable housing for seniors we have to intentionally put that out in proposals and that’s exactly what happened [with Abrams Hall Senior Apartments and the HPTF].” The project is supported by $9.7 million from the HPTF, as well as over $10 million in equity from 9 percent low income housing tax credits. “This is a significant investment,” said Donaldson, who also thanked DHCD’s project managers Joan McKenzie (legal) and Steven Brannum (DFD) for their work.

Ward 6 to Get IZ Units—and a New Safeway

Thanks to IZ, a new development coming to Ward 6 will have affordable housing. On June 27, Director Donaldson gave brief remarks on behalf of Mayor Bowser at the Beckert’s Park groundbreaking ceremony in the Hill East neighborhood. Roughly 45 of the 325 units will be affordable to those making under $70,320 (60 percent MFI based on a family of four). (Photo: Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (fourth from left) and Director Donaldson turn dirt with Beckert’s Park development team, consisting of Foulger-Pratt, EB5 Capital, and Safeway.)

Small Business Booster

Nonprofits Can Get Grants to Help
Small Businesses Start-up and Grow

Community-based non-profit organizations have until August 13 at 4:00 p.m. EST to apply for $1.5 million in grants to provide technical assistance that will help support the start-up, growth, and expansion of small businesses in the District.

The grants are from federal Community Development Block Grant and/or local funds and are to be used to revitalize commercial corridors of which 51 percent consist of low- and moderate-income persons. DHCD will give strong consideration to proposals that complement the Great Streets initiative administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). DHCD expects to announce awards in late summer and execute grant agreements by October 1, 2018. For more information contact nba.rfa@dc.gov or 202-442-7178.

July 2018 Edition

Give Us Your Input on Housing and Community Priorities on July 25

We are in the process of finalizing the District's Fiscal Year 2019 Action Plan and since community input is important, we encourage you to attend a July 25 hearing.

There, you can provide input regarding the use of federal funds for the following policies and programs: (1) affordable housing; (2) special needs housing; (3) homelessness; (4) homeownership; and (5) community development and public service activities.

Where: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave NE
When: Wednesday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.
RSVP here.

Take a Peek at FY2017 IZ Report

The newly released Fiscal Year 2017 Inclusionary Zoning Annual Report shows that the overall number of IZ units is increasing steadily.

Over $1.4M in HPAP/ EAHP Goes to 31 Households in June

In June, 31 households in the District received more than $1.4 million in down payment and closing cost assistance to become first-time homeowners. Congratulations to our newest Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) and Employer Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) recipients!

Quick Links

Here are some links to popular DHCD services:

DHCD Income Limits: Can help determine your eligibility for DHCD programs.
Inclusionary Zoning (IZ): Get an overview of this affordable housing tool.
IZ Dashboard: View a map and/or table of IZ projects.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Provide services such as housing counseling and small business technical assistance.
Home Purchase Assistance: Learn about how we help residents get the keys to their own home.
Rent Control Forms: Access forms for housing providers and tenants.

Video Stories

Listen to five stories by homeowners who share how it is possible to purchase affordable housing in DC.

This video shares how we are helping residents by producing and preserving affordable housing, and revitalizing neighborhoods.

We had great memories from the 10th Annual DC Housing Expo and Home Show. See video clips here and here (the second is thanks to WHUR).

Other News of Note

Revised TOPA Forms Are Available Based on New Law

A new law that exempts single family dwellings from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act of 1980 (TOPA) unless occupied by certain elderly or disabled tenants became effective on July 3. The TOPA Single-Family Home Exemption Amendment Act of 2018 (Act 22-339) also exempts single family dwellings with an Accessory Dwelling Unit and a single rental unit in a condo, co-op or homeowners’ association.

Elderly and disabled tenants who signed a lease to occupy such an exempted unit by March 31, 2018 and took occupancy by April 15, 2018 will have a limited opportunity to purchase or assign their rights. The law necessitated some changes and additions to rental conversion and sale forms on our website.

Congrats to DHCD Employees Who Completed
Executive Leadership Training

Chief Administrative Officer Drew Hubbard and Housing Compliance Officer Lesley Edmond recently completed the District’s 4th Executive Leadership Program (ELP). This program is a joint effort between the DC Department of Human Resources and the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. Over eight months, Hubbard and Edmond—along with over 20 leaders from a variety of District government agencies—studied and applied advanced leadership principles in areas such as strategic management, strategy mapping, leadership presence and values-based leadership. They also created deep and lasting professional bonds.

"This is a truly unique experience that has been a highlight of my time in service to the city," said Hubbard.

“My experience with the ELP has motivated me to continue learning and recommit to the principles of servant-based leadership," said Edmond.

Team DHCD: About Town

Following are some highlights of recent DHCD outreach and educational activities.

Tour of "Evicted" Exhibit: A lot of #teamDHCD's passion about creating more affordable housing and revitalizing neighborhoods is driven by learning about those who struggle with their housing needs. On July 18, the "Evicted" exhibit at the National Building Museum was attended by over 20 DHCD staffers who work on housing development issues. The exhibit is described as follows: "Evicted offers an immersive experience bringing our visitors into the world of low-income renter eviction. With unique design elements and striking graphics, the exhibition challenges adults and youth to face the enormity of a difficult subject, while providing context and a call to action." (Photo: Tour guide explains how a wall mural of moving boxes represents the amount of evictions in each state.)

Lender's Fair: Director Donaldson attended the June 23 Lender's Fair held by the DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). She explained to potential homebuyers that there is support through many District resources, like HPAP and the HPTF, to make their dream of homeownership happen. One highlight was listening to proud new homeowner Elizabeth Gaffney explain how she used HPAP and DCOpenDoors to make her dream come true—and it didn't take long, just 45 days! (Photo: Donaldson and DCHFA Executive Director Todd Lee with Elizabeth Gaffney)

Needs Assessment Hearing: Director Donaldson, along with DHCD staff such as Housing Compliance Officer Lesley Edmond, heard testimony from citizens on what they felt should be goals and priorities included in the FY 2019 Annual Action Plan for the District, during a July 12 hearing. The next step in the process occurs on July 25, when there is a hearing on the Action Plan itself. See article above right.

Rent Control Workshop: DHCD’s Rental Accommodations Division (RAD), held a June 27 workshop, led by Keith Anderson, for housing providers and tenants to help them understand the District's rent control laws. Attendees were very engaged and had good discussions about each other’s roles and responsibilities.

It’s important to DHCD that all parties understand rent control, because it’s one of the most significant ways that the city maintains affordable housing.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events

Please note these upcoming events. Don't forget to sign up for DHCD event alerts to get regular announcements and updates, as well as registration information through Eventbrite, and check our website for events from CBOs and other partners.

July 25, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Let's Talk Rent Control: A Dialogue with DHCD. Location: DHCD First Floor Conference Room.
July 25, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Let's Talk TOPA: New Law Exempts Most Single Family Properties. Location: [FULL; in person registration closed] One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street NW, Old Council Chamber Room. Note: The event will be on Facebook Live at @DCDCHD.
July 25, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Public Hearing on Transforming 809-813 Kennedy St. NW into Senior Housing. Location: DHCD First Floor Conference Room.
July 26, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Public Hearing: Vacant to Vibrant DC Conservation with Casey Trees. Location: DHCD Housing Resource Center
July 25, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Let's Talk Housing: Help Shape the District's FY2019 Annual Action Plan. Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave NE

See Latest Affordable Housing Stats

The Bowser Administration is producing and preserving more affordable housing than ever before in the District's history. See the latest statistics from the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development's dashboard (see graphic), as well as a pipeline report of DHCD-specific projects.