Rendering of Ionia Apartments from Rhode Island Ave NE (Image © Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing)
Washington, D.C. – April 29, 2025
Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing (“LWH”) started construction of its new, 100-unit development at 2911 Rhode Island Avenue NE after closing on financing in January 2025.
D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”) Director Colleen Green, DC Housing Finance Agency CEO Christopher E. Donald, DC Green Bank CEO Trisha Miller, and LWH President David Jacobs spoke to the importance of the project at its groundbreaking ceremony today. David Jacobs noted:
“This transformational project will enliven the Rhode Island Avenue corridor and the Woodridge neighborhood while adding high quality, attainable, healthy housing to the District’s residential housing stock.”
Dahn Warner addresses the gathered guests, including (seated from L to R) DCHFA CEO Christopher Donald, DHCD Director Colleen Green, LWH Board President David Jacobs, and DC Green Bank CEO Trisha Miller. (Photo courtesy of KeyUrban)
LWH purchased the property in 2021 and spent over $10 million to buy the land and pay for the predevelopment costs necessary to start construction. Several finance and investment partners rallied to close on the project’s capital stack earlier this year. The combined ~$86 million construction and permanent financing package includes:
A ~$14.4M FHA-insured HUD mortgage from AGM Financial Services, Inc.
A ~$26.1M subsidized loan from D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development’s Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF)
~$35M in tax-exempt bonds purchased by Stifel and issued by DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA)
~$24M in Federal LIHTC equity from Redstone Equity Partners
~$5.5M in DC LIHTC equity from Rise Impact Capital
A ~$15M construction loan from Enterprise Community Loan Fund (ECLF) and Locus Impact Capital
A ~$3M construction loan from the DC Green Bank
A ~$1 million sponsor loan from Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing
Twenty-one project-based Local Rent Subsidy Program (“LRSP”) units from the DC Housing Authority
The Board announced today that it intends to name the building Ionia Apartments to honor Dr. Ionia Rollin Whipper (1872–1953) – an early African-American physician and graduate of Howard University School of Medicine – who was a tireless advocate for women and children. Dr. Whipper performed groundbreaking work in maternal health and established one of the first maternity homes for women of color in Washington, D.C.
Speakers Trisha Miller, Colleen Green, and Christopher Donald collectively unravel the project banner - revealing the building’s new name: “Ionia Apartments” (Photo courtesy of DC Green Bank)
"It is a privilege to recognize Dr. Whipper’s legacy with the development of these affordable new homes," said Dahn Warner, LWH’s Owner’s Representative and the founder of KeyUrban. "The values of dignity, opportunity, and community care that Dr. Whipper championed inspire our daily work.”
The project includes:
100% of the units affordable to households earning less than 80% of area median income
21 permanent supportive housing units affordable to households earning less than 30% of area median income
39 family-sized apartments (2+ BRs)
The residents of the building will collectively save ~$1 million annually compared to market rents for comparable units in the neighborhood. The environmentally sustainable project will be built to Enterprise Green Community Plus standards.
Rendering of Ionia Apartments from Monroe Street NE (Image © Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing)
Construction is led by Hamel Builders, whose prior work with LWH — including the successful delivery of Channing Phillips Homes in 2016 — speaks to a partnership rooted in trust and collaboration. Completion is expected in Q4 2026.
Participants at the groundbreaking event applaud the ceremonial excavation of the project’s first column footer. (Photo courtesy of DC Green Bank)
About Ionia Rollin Whipper
Dr. Ionia Rollin Whipper was a trailblazing obstetrician, public health worker, and champion for women’s rights. In the early 20th century she traveled the rural South to train midwives in safe delivery practices and birth registration. She opened her practice to — and later established an independent residence for — unwed mothers of color in Washington, D.C., at a time when few, if any, services existed for them. Her unwavering commitment to health, equity, and compassion continues to ripple across generations.
About Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing
Founded in 1967, Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing, Inc. (LWH) is a non-profit providing quality affordable housing and community support in the Shaw community. Its mission is the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the District of Columbia and environs, helping those in need by contributing to the growth, health, and vitality of the community. For more information, visit www.lwhousing.org.
