True Ground Housing Partners Celebrates Riggs Crossing Senior Residences Grand Opening in Washington, DC
Pictured left to right: Christopher Donald (DCHFA), Steve Smith (Truist), Rich Jordan (True Ground), Carmen Romero (True Ground), Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor Nina Albert (DMPED), Director Colleen Green (DHCD), Director Charon Hines (DACL), Uchenna Evans (LRCA), Gwen Cofield (LRCA), Patrick Smith (DMPED), Sophia Tekola (ANC 4B05) Photo credit: Edward Underwood Photography
The new community adds 93 affordable apartments for independent seniors aged 55+ in Riggs Park neighborhood of DC
WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2025) — On Wednesday, April 30, Mayor Muriel Bowser and True Ground Housing Partners (formerly APAH) marked the grand opening at Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, a new mixed-use development located on Riggs Road NE and South Dakota Ave NE in Washington, DC.
Riggs Crossing serves independent adults aged 55 and older earning between 30-50% of the median family income (MFI), providing critically needed, deeply affordable homes. Fifty-two apartments serve households with incomes at or below 30% MFI and 41 apartments serve households between 30% to 50% MFI. Ten units are designated for permanent supportive housing, with services provided by Jaydot. True Ground partnered with members of the Riggs Park community to ensure Riggs Crossing featured thoughtfully designed community rooms, flexible multi-purpose space, a fitness center, wellness room, outdoor space, in-unit laundry, quartz counters, and EnergyStar appliances. The community, located in the Riggs Park neighborhood of Ward 4, is within walking distance to the Fort Totten Metrorail station, multiple bus lines, retail options, and recreational amenities.
President and CEO of True Ground, Carmen Romero, expressed, “We are thrilled to open our first community in the District in True Ground’s history. This is evident of our commitment to meet the growing need for affordable housing in every corner of the region. We understand that Seniors are the fastest-growing populations experiencing homelessness, so Riggs Crossing is the latest example of how we are diligently working to fill that gap. Riggs Crossing represents True Ground’s fourth new-construction Senior development completed in the last three years.”
“I’m very proud to celebrate this final phase of turning an old speed ramp into beautiful housing for our neighbors in Ward 4,” said Mayor Bowser. “One of the big ways we made this project possible was by investing $25 million from the Housing Production Trust Fund, our highest impact affordable housing tool. And I am pleased that we will include a $100 million HPTF investment in our upcoming budget proposal, which will help us continue to create more affordable housing communities like here at Riggs Crossing Senior Residences.”
Riggs Crossing is the product of a partnership with EYA LLC, the developer of the adjacent Riggs Park Place townhome community. This new community has received significant support from Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), and DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The project was partly funded with more than $25 million from the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) from DHCD, as well as land disposed of by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
DHCD awarded the project with federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) and D.C. tax credits, totaling approximately $24 million in equity, which was purchased by Truist Community Capital. This 4% tax credit project received an allocation of $30.6 million in tax-exempt bonds from the District of Columbia’s Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). Riggs Crossing also features commercial space on the ground floor, leased by Happy Violet DC Natural Nail Salon & Spa and Rose Beauty Supply, financed by Locus Capital Partners. Other valued project partners include general contractor DAVIS Construction, architect Torti Gallas + Partners, and KCM construction management.
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About True Ground Housing Partners
True Ground is a nonprofit affordable housing developer, enabling diverse families to imagine hopeful futures, even in one of the nation’s highest cost markets. At True Ground, we believe that hope, like a home, needs nurturing and care. With housing access becoming harder than ever, we’re dedicated to building hope and opportunities for those feeling left out. We are committed community builders, breaking down barriers and providing the support needed to turn aspirations into secure, comfortable apartment homes. We are not just building homes; we are changing the landscape for affordable housing, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live in a safe and welcoming community. True Ground was named one of the nation’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers of 2023 by Affordable Housing Finance, one of only a dozen nonprofits to make the list. Visit www.truegroundhousing.org to learn more.
