(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Valerie Santos, Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Director Leila Edmonds, and DC Office on Aging Director Clarence Brown joined Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios and Ward 4 residents to break ground on 36 units of affordable senior housing at Vida Senior Residences, 1330 Missouri Avenue, NW. 

“My administration is committed to providing affordable housing for our seniors to help maintain stable communities,” Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said.  “The Vida Senior Residences in Brightwood is just one of the projects we have pushed forth with to make sure our seniors can stay in their communities.”

"Access to affordable housing is a challenge faced by communities across the country," said Treasurer Rios.  "By providing states with cash to help them finance low-income housing construction, the Recovery Act is spurring development at a time when too many projects would otherwise be stalled."

“Vida Senior Residences in Brightwood is another example of the Fenty administration’s commitment to providing quality affordable housing choices for District residents,” said DHCD Director Leila Edmonds. “The use of stimulus funds from U.S. Treasury was crucial to this project moving forward to development.”

Vida Senior residences are available to individuals ages 55 and older who earn 50% or less than the area media income (AMI).  The project is expected to be complete in spring 2011 and create 55 full-time equivalent construction jobs over the 11-month construction period.

DHCD awarded Vida $6,867,244 in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) under the Section 1602 Tax Credit Exchange Program. The DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) also provided Vida a $150,000 loan in McKinney Act funding for predevelopment costs.

Affordable Housing in the Recovery Summer - WhiteHouse.gov Recovery Blog Post