True Ground Housing Partners Begins Construction at Avonlea Senior Apartments in Loudoun County
Pictured left to right: Steve Frederickson, Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties; Bryan Horn, Virginia DHCD; David White, Virginia Housing; Chair Phyllis J. Randall, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors; Carmen Romero, True Ground Housing Partners; Mike Chiappa, True Ground Housing Partners; Andy VanHorn, True Ground Board; Steve Smith, Truist; Mark Weisner, Bozzuto Construction. Photo credit: Carolyn Andros Photography
The project’s first phase will create 130 affordable apartments for independent seniors ages 55+ in Chantilly, Virginia.
ARLINGTON, VA (March 19, 2025) Last week, True Ground Housing Partners (formerly Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing) broke ground on a new affordable development together with project partners. Located Southwest of Dulles Airport at the corner of Tall Cedars Parkway and Pinebrook Road, Avonlea will create 130 new affordable homes for independent seniors earning between 30-60% of the area median income (AMI). The project is one part of a master-planned community by Peterson Companies, Avonlea Town Center, which will include nearby amenities.
The Avonlea project is part of a phased development, and marks True Ground’s second affordable senior community located in Loudoun County. True Ground’s second phase of the project is planned to include approximately 137 units of affordable family housing, creating a diverse, multigenerational community where families and neighbors of all ages can thrive. “We look forward to expanding our presence in Loudoun County and strengthening our community partnerships. True Ground is proud to provide housing and services that will meet the needs of every resident who will make Avonlea their home,” said Carmen Romero, True Ground President & CEO. “The DC region continues to face an affordable housing shortage, including here in Loudoun, one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions. Today marks another step forward in addressing regional affordable housing needs, particularly among older adults.”
Rendering Courtesy of Grimm + Parker Architects
Partners & Financing
Avonlea Senior is an approximately $64 million project, with construction costs close to $33 million. Virginia Housing awarded the project 9% and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), marking True Ground’s eighth project to employ this complex hybrid financing model. Approximately $29 million in tax credit equity was purchased by financial partner, Truist. Project financing sources include more than $6 million from Loudoun County’s Affordable Multi-Family Housing Loan program, $7.5 million from Amazon REACH funds, $1.4 million in Virginia Housing Trust Fund financing, and $4 million from Virginia’s Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE) program, administered by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). “Truist is proud to be part of another impactful project with True Ground,” says Steve Smith, Senior Vice President at Truist. “We’ve partnered together on more than ten deals now, and we look forward to the future community that will grow on this site.”
Construction and design partners include general contractor Bozzuto Construction, Advanced Project Management (APM), Grimm + Parker Architects, Moya Design Partners, Allen + Shariff Corporation, and Urban Ltd. civil engineers. “We are honored to work alongside True Ground and all project partners to bring high-quality, attainable homes to Loudoun County’s senior residents,” says Mark Weisner, President at Bozzuto Construction Company.
Community Impact
The new Avonlea Senior community will create 130 new affordable homes for independent seniors aged 55 and up. The completed property will include a wellness suite, business center, and two community rooms for onsite programming tailored to residents’ needs and designed to help seniors build social capital. True Ground’s CORES-certified Resident Services program provides onsite support and resident-centered programming to help all residents make the most of their homes. Like many True Ground communities, future residents will enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity. Unique to Avonlea Senior, free telehealth services will be available to all residents, promoting health equity for older adults who may face healthcare access barriers.
The building will feature principles of Universal Design, making the community accessible to people regardless of age or physical ability. Avonlea Senior will be built to EarthCraft Multifamily Gold standards, which increases the property’s energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions. Sustainable energy features, accessibility, and strong community partnerships ensure that this community will be affordable well into the future. Avonlea Senior is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026.
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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.
