On Thursday, November 5th, the City First Foundation will convene its second Community Development Finance Summit entitled, “Equitable Economic Development East of the River.” The day-long Summit will bring together the District’s key community development stakeholders and thought leaders to discuss the primary challenges and opportunities impacting Washington, DC’s neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. Topics of discussion are related to housing, commercial corridor revitalization, and small business development. This will be a forum to share industry best practices, trends in public
policy, and incubate new and innovative ideas in order to provide tangible solutions and a roadmap to deliver inclusive and visionary commercial revitalization and housing opportunities for all.
City First Enterprises (CFE) is a nonprofit bank holding company and an incubator of social finance solutions located in Washington, D.C. that promotes social justice by increasing economic access and expanding opportunity for low-wealth communities. CFE has launched City First Bank, City First Homes and City First New Markets Tax Credit Venture Fund. In total, the City First family has financed over 5,000 units of affordable housing, 8,700 school seats, and 4,600 jobs. City First Enterprises is a proud to be supported by a White House Social Innovation Fund and to join a class of the most innovative and effective nonprofits in the nation.
1425 T Street, NW Cooperative
Finding affordable housing is a continuing challenge for all Washington, D.C. residents, but even more so for families with modest incomes. As neighborhoods are reclaimed and new developments constructed, long-term residents are often out-priced and pushed out of communities they love – as was the case at 1425 T Street, NW.
Located in the 14th Street Corridor, this 30 unit, four-story property is in one of the most sought after real estate markets in Washington, D.C. A little while ago the residents were in the unexpected position of finding a way to remain in their homes as the original developer had plans to turn the building into market rate homeownership condominiums. That strategy would not have allowed the tenants to appropriately share in the financial benefits and would have displaced many who were living on a fixed-income.
That’s when CFE stepped in. Working in partnership with the 1425 T Street Cooperative, CFE structured more than $2 million in creative financing, which allowed residents to maintain ownership of the building and complete needed renovations.
The Pena Family are long-time residents of the 1425 T Street, NW Cooperative in the rapidly gentrifying 14th Street Corridor. City First worked side by side with the co-op to structure over $2 million in creative financing so members could retain ownership and complete renovation of the property.
Collectively, the City First Family of Companies developed a strategy and provided financing for the existing tenants to continue to live in their homes. CFE connected the residents with legal resources and assisted in the creative funding needed for the cooperative to reclaim control of their building. City First Bank provided the financing required for the cooperative to pay off their existing bank debt and provided additional construction dollars to complete the renovation of the property; and City First Homes executed legally binding permanent affordability agreements that balances wealth building with future affordability.
CFE feels that being a member of HAND is instrumental to achieving their mission. HAND provides meaningful training, peer sharing and networking opportunities throughout the year that keeps the organization updated on the housing industry and puts them in front of the right partnerships. Through HAND’s Internship Grant program they are able to build the capacity of City First through high-quality summer interns. In addition, staff has attended professional development opportunities through the training grants provided by HAND.
HAND is pleased to spotlight City First Enterprises which certainly contributes to our organization’s COLLABORATION, INNOVATION and TRANSFORMATION within the metropolitan area!
The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County (RDA) is playing a leadership role in the County’s efforts to create and promote sustainable development and solutions to 21st century global environmental challenges. This past summer, the RDA completed extensive renovation on the first Net Zero Energy House in the County, and is excited about showcasing this home as a testament to what homebuyers in Prince George’s County can expect in the future: superior energy savings, water-efficiency and a healthy living environment.
A quasi-governmental agency, the RDA is part of the triumvirate of the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (PG DHCD) – which also encompasses the Housing Authority – and provides services in areas of development, redevelopment, revitalization and preservation in targeted communities. Notably, RDA offers down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers, infill redevelopment of existing properties, neighborhood stabilization/blight eradication as well as grant support for capital improvements by County based non-profit organizations.
The RDA is helping to reduce the County’s carbon footprint by producing green and sustainable models for new construction and substantial rehabs of aged housing, through its Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative and partnerships with local affordability housing developers. Located at 3413 Glenn Drive in Suitland, the first net zero house in this program is a three-bedroom, two full bath home originally constructed 100 years ago. Situated within the Suitland/Coral Hills Transforming Neighborhood Initiative area, the home produces as much energy annually as it consumes, effectively minimizing the utility bill to virtually zero.
“We are very pleased with the results of this renovation,” said Howard Ways, executive director, RDA. “In addition to its efficiency, the house is located within walking distance to the Suitland Metro Center and the Suitland Federal Center.”
The Net Zero Energy House is priced to sell at $316,800 with creative homeownership assistance offered by the RDA to increase affordability among moderate income buyers. During the 12-month renovation, the home was retrofitted with solar panels, which provide its renewable energy source, a solar hot water heater, an HVAC mini-split system and energy-efficient windows, doors, fixtures and appliances. Additionally, it features environmentally friendly landscaping, rain barrel water catchments and permeable pavers, and sustainable building materials such as bamboo flooring in the living room and dining room areas. Aesthetically, the house offers 42-inch kitchen cabinets with granite counter tops, cultured marble double sinks, tub and separate shower, his and her closets, patio doors that lead to a backyard deck and much more.
Energy Star and LEED Platinum compliant, this house will be featured as a Greenbuild Offsite Educational Tour Site in the upcoming Greenbuild International Conference and Expo this November. Greenbuild is the largest sustainable building event in the U.S. and HAND is proud to be a 2015 Greenbuild Regional Partner for this premier event.
For the RDA and PG DHCD, it is through connections like this that underscore the value of a HAND membership. Membership allows the agency to engage with other organizations in the region that are pursuing the same goal – to build affordable housing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area – and to celebrate collective accomplishments. HAND helps the RDA too develop new partnerships and re-connect with organizations it has worked with in the past. Its membership also provides the agency an opportunity to explore new ideas and learn about the latest trends.
HAND is pleased to spotlight Prince George’s County’s Redevelopment Authority which certainly contributes to our organization’s COLLABORATION, INNOVATION and TRANSFORMATION within the metropolitan area!
Interested in seeing the Net Zero House first-hand now? Take a peak.
![]() Grand Opening Celebration
Hollins Station Saturday, September 26, 2015 • 11 a.m.
4374 Hollins Ferry Road Lansdowne, MD 21227 Community barbeque to follow
![]() RSVP by Friday, September 18, 2015
410.772.2455 |
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Join APAH on October 6th from 5 – 8 p.m at the Clarendon Ballroom to celebrate the importance of affordable housing in keeping Arlington diverse and inclusive. This highly visible, prime networking opportunity brings together business and community leaders involved in supporting affordable housing and low income families in Arlington. At the event, they will recognize our 2015 Affordable Housing Honorees: Bill Fogarty, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C. and Mark Silverwood, Silverwood Companies. Please visit APAH’s registration page for tickets, sponsorships and event details.
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Payments: Orders placed on the event registration page are not confirmed until payment is received. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address listed in your registration. If you paid by credit card, a receipt will be sent to the email address listed in your registration. If you mail a check, all payments must be received within seven days of completing your registration form. Checks should be remitted to: HAND, PO Box 48386, Washington, DC 20002
Guest List & Dietary Preference: If your registration includes a luncheon table or multiple guests, please submit guest names and menu choices by May 1, 2020. Submit guest names here.
Housing Expo: Plan to exhibit? Download the Housing Expo FAQs here.
Omni Shoreham Hotel Room Block: For attendees looking to secure overnight accommodations on May 25th, HAND has secured a rate starting at $189 for conference attendees. There are a limited amount of rooms available, so visit this link today to reserve your room. May 10th is the last day to secure a room at the discounted rate.
Ad Submission: The artwork for advertisements should be submitted to annualmeeting@handhousing.org. You can download the ad spec sheet here. Deadline for ad submission is April 13, 2020.
Cancellations & Changes: If you wish to cancel or change your registration for the Annual Meeting & Housing Expo, please send a request in writing to annualmeeting@handhousing.org. All cancellation requests made prior to April 27th will receive a 50% refund. For cancellation requests made after April 27th, no refund will be provided.
Door Prizes: Are you interested in donating a door prize to this year’s Annual Meeting? Email annualmeeting@handhousing.org to coordinate with our team.
Mailing Address:
HAND
1330 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 124
Washington, DC 20036
info@handhousing.org
202.384.3764
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