(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser today celebrated the opening of Plaza West, a 223-unit affordable housing community for seniors and families in Ward 6. This unique development includes 50 units designed for grandfamilies, the first residential housing of its kind designed for grandparents raising grandchildren in the District.
“As our city continues to grow and age, we’re committed to making investments in innovative programs—in housing, education, childcare, and more—that will set more families up for success,” said Mayor Bowser. “Plaza West is an example of how we are ensuring residents and families of all backgrounds and income levels have access to safe and affordable places to live across all eight wards.”
Plaza West, located at 1035 4th Street, NW and 307 K Street, NW, is a 12-story development in the growing and transit-centric Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood. The Plaza West-Grandfamily Community Life Program was designed to create a grandfamilies “village,” rich with activities, on-site resources, and connections to services in the nearby community. In addition, the development has over 9,500 square feet of outdoor recreational space and a range of amenities, including a library, a kids activity space, a fitness room, and a community room. Plaza West is within walking distance of four Metro stations and bus routes, and close to a grocery store, multiple churches, recreation and restaurants, and a library. The District is the ninth city nationwide to have a residential grandfamilies program.
The grandfamily units will be made available to those making 30 to 40 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), while 173 units will serve individuals and families making 50 to 60 percent AMI. Eleven units will be set aside for Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) clients.
The Plaza West affordable housing development was made possible through a collaboration of DC Government agencies, including the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, the DC Housing Finance Agency, DC Housing Authority, and DBH. Bible Way Church is the sponsor of this project through its affiliate, Golden Rule Plaza, Inc. (GRP), a DC-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide more affordable housing and other community-oriented assets in Mount Vernon Triangle. GRP partnered with Mission First and the Henson Development Company to develop Plaza West.
Since coming into office, the Bowser Administration has sparked the creation or preservation of more than 11,000 affordable units, with more than 5,200 under construction. In the fiscal year 2019 budget, the Mayor invested more than $1 billion toward making Washington, DC more affordable for residents in all eight wards.