Images courtesy of Rust Orling Architecture
Rendering of proposed affordable housing.
Updated Thursday, Jan. 20:
"Affordable" and "home ownership" aren't words you would expect to see anywhere near each other in Alexandria. But plans for a 2.7-acre site on Seminary Road may give low-income residents a shot at homeownership.
At City Council’s next meeting on Saturday, Jan. 22, council members will consider the future of the affordable housing project planned for 4547, 4555 and 4575 Seminary Rd. The council will hear public feedback and vote on ordinances to sell City-owned 4575 Seminary Rd. to Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) and to rezone the parcels from single-family to multi-family use.
The 2.7 acre site is located just east of Fire Station 206 and Francis Hammond Middle School. It is currently occupied by single-family homes and a congregate home owned by Sheltered Homes of Alexandria (SHA), which serves intellectually or developmentally disabled residents.
Current plans for the three parcels include 31 townhomes and 5 condominium flats which will be available for ownership for residents at 80 percent Average Median Income (AMI) or below. An additional 3 flats would be owned and occupied by SHA to allow them to continue to serve up to 12 residents.
For the first time in Alexandria, AHDC will offer residents the chance to build equity in their homes. AHDC announced this week: "These units will be for first-time homebuyers earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (or roughly $100,000 for a family of 4 in 2021.) Anticipated sales prices will be between $275,000 and $350,000."
AHDC will also be hosting a series of information sessions this spring with representatives from the City of Alexandria and Virginia Housing.
Each townhome will have two garage spaces and 19 surface spaces will serve the condominium flats, SHA and guests. Plans would also preserve up to 46 percent of open space on the site. If approved, the project is set for completion in 2024 and interested buyers could purchase in 2023. (AHDC recommends interested residents start preparing for the process now and signing up for information sessions. Resources and information session sign-up is available at www.housingalexandria.org/homeownership.
Learn more about this project here.
Image courtesy of the City of Alexandria
