New Community Development Encourages Area Workers to Own in DC

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)A new Northeast Washington housing development designed to create more affordable housing for DC’s working people is drawing strong interest from District employees, who have been given the first opportunity to purchase the homes. MetroTowns at Parkside’s 83 new three-bedroom townhouses -- affordably priced starting in the $200s, with special financing available -- are being created by a public-private partnership that includes the family of the late Abe Pollin, developer Enterprise Homes, and the city of Washington, DC. DC government employees have exclusive access to purchase the homes through today before sales are opened to the general public; call 202-695-7232 or click here for details on completing the preliminary paperwork. “We have long seen the impact that the lack of affordably-priced homes for District workers has had in our city,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams. “MetroTowns at Parkside is a great development that will allow those who serve the city a real chance to live in the city. It’s a wonderful tribute to Abe Pollin’s vision of comfortable, safe, and affordably priced homes in the District.” Twelve people signed contracts to purchase in the first week after the April 13 groundbreaking, and the project’s developers plan to continue to work with the Metro Council and area unions to alert union members about opportunities at Metrotowns. - photo: DC Mayor Vincent Gray leads the April 13 MetroTowns at Parkside’s groundbreaking ceremony