NHP Foundation Launches Harvard Court: A Blueprint for Affordable Housing in Columbia Heights

The critical need for affordable housing in Washington, D.C. is being addressed through the innovative efforts of The NHP Foundation (NHPF) alongside its partners, including Change All Souls Housing Corp. and the Columbia Heights Village Tenants Association (CHVTA). The announcement of the development at 1425 Harvard Street NW marks a pivotal step in the transformation of a former parking lot into a vibrant, seven-story affordable housing community with 108 units. Renowned for their thoughtful design integration into community settings, Shalom Baranes Associates, PC, are set to steer the architectural helm, while McCullough Construction, LLC will oversee the build, promising quality and timely execution.

In an impressive display of collaborative finance, the endeavor, known as Harvard Court, garners backing from a robust public-private partnership. The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) led the charge by issuing $48.26 million in tax-exempt bonds and orchestrating over $41 million in federal and DC Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity. Hudson Housing Capital and Bank of America are among the notable financial partners, contributing to the project alongside DCHFA and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DC DHCD). Furthermore, DC DHCD injected a substantial sum of $24.29 million from its Housing Production Trust Fund 2022 NOFA into the project, cementing Harvard Court's role in the city's strategic affordable housing plans.

Eric Price, President & CEO of NHPF, underscored the strategic nature of Harvard Court's development: "This development reflects NHPF's strategy of leveraging underutilized land within our existing portfolio to maximize housing production in ways uniquely designed for specific neighborhoods," he stated. "It is exactly the kind of creative solution we need in high-cost areas like Columbia Heights."

Harvard Court's emergence as a fully affordable community is a testament to targeted action against the tide of soaring rents and resident displacement within Columbia Heights. By prioritizing long-term affordability and providing a varying mix of income-targeted housing options, the project not only preserves the socioeconomic tapestry of the neighborhood but also enriches it with new resources and living spaces. The completion of construction anticipated by mid-2027 marks a proactive step towards inclusive growth and community resilience, encapsulating multifamily industry's ongoing commitment to innovation and responsible development.