Harvard Court: Pioneering Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground in Columbia Heights
In a decisive move to address affordable housing in Washington, D.C., The NHP Foundation, in collaboration with Change All Souls Housing Corp. and the Columbia Heights Village Tenants Association, has embarked on an ambitious project at 1425 Harvard Street NW. This initiative marks a progressive step in transforming a once underused parking lot into a hub of affordable living with the commencement of construction for the Harvard Court development.
The development, strategically initiated post-construction financing closure in July 2025, is well on its way to contributing a seven-story, 108-unit affordable housing community in the heart of Columbia Heights—an area particularly stricken by high living costs. Designed by Shalom Baranes Associates, PC, and constructed by McCullough Construction, LLC, the Harvard Court is anticipated to reach completion by mid-2027.
Standing as a testament to collaborative effort, the project has garnered substantial backing through a public-private partnership. Notably, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency has played a crucial role by issuing $48.26 million in tax-exempt bonds and facilitating over $41 million in federal and DC Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity. The inclusion of Hudson Housing Capital, Bank of America, and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development solidifies the financial underpinning of this endeavor.
Additionally, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development has injected a significant $24.29 million from its Housing Production Trust Fund 2022 NOFA. This substantial contribution underscores the city’s commitment to expanding its affordable housing pipeline and substantiates the integral role of Harvard Court in this mission.
Eric Price, President & CEO of NHPF, encapsulated the philosophy driving this development, stating, “This development reflects NHPF’s strategy of leveraging underutilized land within our existing portfolio to maximize housing production in ways uniquely designed for specific neighborhoods. It is exactly the kind of creative solution we need in high-cost areas like Columbia Heights.”
Harvard Court aims to offer a reprieve from the relentless pressure of rising rents and potential displacement, promising 100% affordable apartments to cater to a diverse income demographic. The project not only preserves neighborhood diversity but also brings forth new homes and amenities, seamlessly integrating into the existing Columbia Heights Village community and fostering an inclusive environment for growth and stability. This initiative echoes a larger narrative of innovation in the multifamily apartment industry, where adapting existing spaces to meet housing demands becomes pivotal in fostering community development and sustainability.