Development Team Breaks Ground on Kenilworth 166

On March 4th, 2022 The District of Columbia Housing Authority, local and federal officials, and the Kenilworth Courts community broke ground on Kenilworth 166. The $83 million project is the first phase of the Kenilworth Courts redevelopment, which kicked off with a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CHOICE planning grant 10 years ago.

“The groundbreaking for Kenilworth 166 is the first of many celebrations for the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) as we move forward with the agency’s portfolio investment plan to preserve, rehabilitate, and redevelop affordable housing for District residents today and in the future,” said DCHA Executive Director Brenda Donald. “I want to thank our partners for making this project a reality, including HUD who not only helped us secure the planning grant but also approved this as DC’s first RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) Faircloth project. HUD also provided our customers with vouchers to facilitate their moves during construction. I look forward to continuing the relationship with Ms. Herring, resident leadership and the entire Kenilworth Courts community on the journey towards their new homes.”

The first phase of the Kenilworth Courts redevelopment includes 166 units in a senior building, a multi-family building, stacked flats, and townhouse rentals. Of these, 118 will be deeply subsidized replacement units and 48 will be affordable units at 50% of Area Median Income for a family of four.   

Today begins a new chapter for the Kenilworth community. Not only are we building 166 new affordable homes for families and seniors, we’re investing in the promise of this community — the families who have lived here for decades and the neighbors who will join them,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We are proud to have a strong partner in HUD and in Secretary Fudge. I know that the Administration shares our urgency to get more Americans into safe housing and we are ready to make that happen all across DC.”

Our development team, comprised of The Michaels Organization, The Warrenton Group, and their partner firms, will be creating 45 new positions at this site. At least 65% of new employees will be low to moderate income residents, meeting our HUD requirements. In addition to jobs, Kenilworth Courts residents will have access to services and training allowing the community to participate in every step of this project.

“The Michaels team is so proud to be a part of this exciting redevelopment process, as it provides the opportunity to not only bring beautiful, sustainable, affordable homes to the residents of Ward 7, but it also allows us to invest in the people of the Kenilworth community, which is just as important,” said John O’Donnell, CEO of The Michaels Organization.

Warren C. Williams Jr. CEO of the Warrenton Group said, “for more than a decade, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with the community to create balanced development in Ward 7. With four- and five-bedroom units, innovative design, and a quality build-out, Kenilworth 166 offers living spaces that address the needs of existing residents and also offer incredible value to new residents. The future of this neighborhood is bright, and it is the collaborative approach engaging long-time advocates like our beloved and late Ms. Denise Stanley, that make this project a success. We’re proud of what we’re accomplishing here and look forward to continued partnerships and growth.”

The District contributed $16.9 million from the Housing Production Trust Fund while an additional $4 million came from the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development. The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency contributed $41.4 million in tax exempt bonds and administered $2.8 million in 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocations from the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, leveraging $26.2 million in equity.

“Thanks to a team effort, today we celebrate the beginning of new opportunities for future seniors and families who will live in the 166 affordable housing units in Kenilworth,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio. “This advances Mayor Bowser’s bold goal to deliver an additional 36,000 units of housing, including at least 12,000 units of affordable housing, by 2025.”

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