Partnerships Lead to New, Affordable Housing in NoVa
In an area known for high housing costs, hundreds of affordable, new residential units are now ready — thanks to a collaboration between Virginia Housing and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH). The Queens Court community is a welcome addition to this densely-populated section of Northern Virginia. The 12-story development in the Roslyn-Ballston area is scheduled to open in June 2021.
“We took a site that had only 39 units and today it has 249,” said David White, Lending Group Manager at Virginia Housing. “Plus, this community is in a high-income area, so to add this type of affordable housing here makes this project extraordinary.”
Nina Janopaul, APAH President and CEO, agrees. “The fact that we are extending affordable housing provides a huge impact — for residents of Arlington in particular,” said Janopaul. “The need is here, and with Queens Court as home to 249 families, this community will make a huge difference in the lives of many.”
Virginia Housing served as administrator of various loans helping to make Queens Court possible; we also allocated 4% and 9% federal Housing Credits, which generated $43 million in equity, plus we were able to bring another $28.5 million to the project through other Virginia Housing programs, including our REACH Virginia program. Total financing for the project totaled over $107 million.
Other partners with Virginia Housing and APAH include Arlington County, Bank of America, Donohoe Construction Company and KGD Architecture.
“It’s amazing to see all the sources work in concert,” said White. “This type of coordination and collaboration is what it takes to do a large project in Northern Virginia.
APAH acquired the original 39-unit property in 1995, and the new Queens Court was years in the making. In 2015, an integrated planning study was formally adopted for the area, which included a new public school, a fire station and market-rate housing; it also unlocked density so Queens Court could be redeveloped into 249 units, and the project broke ground in 2019.
Queens Court now offers two- and three-bedroom units, plus 150 underground parking spaces, a rooftop community center and an on-site 9,000 sq. ft. public park with playground. The community is also certified EarthCraft Gold, barrier-free and conveniently located less than a half mile from the Rosslyn Metro.
"Providing residents with access to affordable housing in vibrant areas that are hubs for everything from jobs and schools to amenities — makes a huge difference in their quality of life,” said Janopual.