Amazon representatives, Howard University administrators, and D.C local officials finally celebrated the renovation effort of 80 apartments at the edge of Howard’s campus on Dec. 1. The old brick building called Howard Manor, which has been standing since 1950, hosts a number of new and beautiful apartments that will help the District’s long standing push for more affordable housing in the city for low-income families.
Located at the corner of Girard Street and Georgia Avenue NW, the renovation process was funded by Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund to the tune of a $31.3 million low interest loan.
The building features one bedroom, two bedroom, and studio units ready to be rented out to qualifying low-income families. According to federal government limits, families will qualify if they sit at 60% of the median family income in Washington, D.C, which is around $85,400 for a family of four.
Howard University President Ben Vinson III held a news conference outside of the building after its completion.
“The Howard Manor development project is a shining example of what is possible when public-private partnerships work for our people. It will provide housing, affordable housing, to dozens of Washington families,” he said. “There was a time when Howard Manor was a jewel on Georgia Avenue. We are standing on the foundation of new hope…and new community promise.”
The impressive project is a big push for Democratic mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s goal is to generate 12,000 affordable housing units in the next two years. He led the city to preserve all of the existing units of housing in four different neighborhoods of the city.
Amazon’s involvement was important for the community, since the corporation’s presence in the community has risked driving up housing prices in the D.C community, displacing families who sit low in the income median.
Back in 2021, Howard Manor was at risk of being turned into a mixed-use property with retail and stores by UIP Companies, a real estate investment firm.
A handful of former residents of Howard Manor opened up to The Washington Post about being pushed out of their homes through harsh tactics by the investors. Lestor Liburd, a 20-year Howard Manor resident, told the outlet, “They got rid of us so they could do what they were going to do.”
Since its development in 1950, Howard Manor has been affordable and attainable for graduate students, faculty members, retirees, and hospital workers.
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