Alexandria Reviews Plans for Affordable Housing Complex
The city is evaluating a 91-unit proposal to replace three aging apartment buildings in Arlandria.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Apartments
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Community Lodgings has requested city approval for an affordable housing project on Elbert Avenue. The proposed complex will replace three 1940s-era apartment buildings with 91 units designed for residents earning 30% to 60% of the area median income.
Why it matters
The development seeks to address a funding gap through a complex financing structure that requires specific city tax abatements and zoning amendments. Successful completion will ensure the original residents, who relocated this summer, have a modern housing option to return to.
The $58.8 million project will feature 182 bedrooms across 91 units. Financing includes $16 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
The players
Community Lodgings
This local nonprofit organization provides housing and support services to low-income residents in the Alexandria area.
Wesley Housing
This nonprofit developer works to create and maintain affordable rental housing communities throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.
Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority
This agency oversees public housing and community development initiatives while managing federal resources for affordable living solutions in Alexandria.
The details
The project site at 3908, 3912, and 3916 Elbert Avenue is being developed in partnership with Wesley Housing. City officials are currently reviewing the necessary zoning text amendments required to finalize the construction plan.
Timeline
2023: City Council previously approved the special use permit.
Summer 2026: Original residents moved out of the apartment buildings.
October 27, 2026: City Council reviewed the project plans.
November 5, 2026: Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the zoning amendment.
April 2027: Construction is expected to break ground.
Culture Shift
This project represents a broader trend of densifying older residential parcels to address local affordability challenges. It follows the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance, necessitating a targeted amendment to accommodate the density required for modern, sustainable housing.
Current residents who relocated during the summer are expected to return once construction concludes in the future. For the broader community, the project will replace aging infrastructure with modernized units tailored to a range of lower-income households.
The takeaway
This project highlights the complexity of leveraging tax-exempt bonds to revitalize aging urban properties while maintaining affordability. Residents interested in long-term housing trends should note how city zoning adjustments serve as the primary catalyst for these large-scale redevelopments.
What happens next
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing regarding the zoning amendment on November 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on housing developments in the city, visit the Alexandria Apartments section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ALXnow | Alexandria, Va. breaking news, local events and community happenings.
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