240-unit affordable housing community to be built on site of former shopping center

Standard Communities, a leading national multifamily housing investor and developer, is developing a ground up 240-unit 100% affordable housing community in Woodbridge, Va. The Prince William County project, Jefferson Plaza Apartments, is capitalized at approximately $67.5 million.

Nationally, Standard Communities currently has more than 2,000 units in its new construction pipeline. Funding for Jefferson Plaza Apartments was secured through Virginia Housing as the issuer of tax-exempt bonds, and Freddie Mac provided Low Income Housing Tax Credits through Hudson Housing Capital.

Jefferson Plaza Apartments, at 1305 Jefferson Plaza, will comprise seven 3-story buildings with 147 one-bedroom and 93 two-bedroom units. The community, being built on a 7.6 acre site of a former shopping center, is a transit-oriented development in the Route 1 Corridor within walking distance of the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express station and close to I-95, with nearby shopping, restaurants, and more.

“There is a strong demand for affordable housing in high-cost communities like Woodbridge,” said Feras Qumseya, Chief Development Officer, Standard Communities. “Developing housing on the site of a former shopping center is not easy, requiring easements and rezoning. The support and assistance from Prince William County to facilitate the process was crucial.” he added.

The property will be income-restricted to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), making the units affordable to middle-income families and essential workers.

Jefferson Plaza 100% Affordable Housing Features

Jefferson Plaza will feature 354 parking spaces for residents, a 3,000-sf club room, co-working space, a fitness center, bike storage, a playground and recreational area, greenspace, and a dog park. Residents will have direct access to an adjacent park to be built out as part of the project.

“Revitalizing the Route 1 Corridor has been one of my top priorities since being elected as the Woodbridge District Supervisor 4 years ago. The Jefferson Plaza Apartments are a key part of that revitalization effort,” said Jefferson County Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin. “I would like to thank Standard Communities for investing in Woodbridge. I also would like to thank Christopher Shorter, Prince William County Executive, for the professional staff work that was involved in bringing this much needed project forward,” she added.

“We are proud to provide financing and vital housing tax credits that will help make the construction of 240 new apartment homes a reality,” said Janet Wiglesworth, Interim CEO of Virginia Housing. “Jefferson Plaza will provide an affordable, conveniently located, modern community for residents in Prince William County. It is a product of strong partnerships that have one goal in mind: to invest in the future of affordable housing in our communities.”

About Standard Communities
Based in New York and Los Angeles, Standard has a national portfolio of almost 20,000 apartment units and has completed more than $4.7 billion of affordable housing acquisitions, rehabilitation and development nationwide. Standard Communities strives to cultivate long-term public and private partnerships to produce and preserve high-quality, affordable and environmentally sustainable housing.

The U.S. is ill-prepared to provide adequate housing for the growing ranks of older people, according to a report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Over the next decade, the U.S. population older than 75 will increase by 45%, growing from 17 million to nearly 25 million, with many expected to struggle financially.

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