Enterprise Community Development & Durrani Development celebrate Aspire Apartments ribbon cutting

Energy-efficient, affordable housing provides 86 modern homes for families in Southeast DC

Washington, DC — Enterprise Community Development and Durrani Development welcomed city and community leaders on September 30 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Aspire Apartments, an 86-unit affordable housing community in Southeast Washington, DC. The $49.1 million development provides one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, a majority of which are affordable to households earning 60% of the area median income (AMI) or less. Eighteen apartments are reserved for families earning 30% AMI or less through the DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s Local Rental Subsidy Program.

Those in attendance for the celebration included:

• Colleen Green, director, DC Department of Housing and Community Development

• Christopher Donald, CEO/executive director, DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA)

• Janine Lind, president, Enterprise Community Development

• Shelynda Brown, VP of Real Estate, Enterprise Community Development

• Mustafa Durrani, Durrani Development

• Charmekia Martin, MBA, Growth & Engagement director, Medicaid Business Development, Elevance Health

“Aspire Apartments shows the power of collaboration and creative investment in delivering high-quality, affordable homes for families in Southeast DC,” said Lind. “This community not only offers modern, sustainable living spaces, but also strengthens the neighborhood and sets a new standard for equitable, environmentally responsible housing.”

The property was designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities standards and incorporates solar panels, a green roof, and other clean energy technologies. Resident amenities include a community club room, business center, bike storage, yoga and meditation space, and a playground.

“Aspire is a testament to what’s possible. This is more than a celebration of bricks and mortar; this is a celebration of vision, resilience, and a partnership that transforms lives,” said Green. “DHCD was proud to provide financing to Aspire and will continue to provide gap funding for affordable housing communities throughout the District.”

Aspire is the first project developed through Enterprise Community Development’s Let’s Build Accelerator program. The initiative provides capital, partnerships and hands-on learning opportunities to increase inclusion in real estate development for economically and socially disadvantaged developers, housing providers, community-focused developers and faith-based organizations.

The project was financed as a 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit development through a combination of public and private partners, including the DC Housing Finance Agency, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, R4 Capital Funding and Durrani Development. Hamel Builders served as general contractor, GPS Design, LLC as architect, Bohler Engineering as civil engineer and Residential One, LLC as property manager.