Housing Alexandria has rebranded its Seminary Road development as Cardinal Path, bringing 31 affordable townhomes to Alexandria with prices starting at $365,000 for qualifying first-time homebuyers.
The nonprofit announced Thursday that the development at 4575 Seminary Road will offer a mix of 16 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units priced at $365,000 and 15 three-bedroom, two-bathroom units at $395,000. The development also includes five single-story, elevator-accessible condominium flats, bringing the total homeownership units to 36.
Construction began in January 2024 on the mixed-use project, which also expands housing for Sheltered Homes of Alexandria, an organization serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Three four-bedroom units will double SHA’s bed capacity from 12 to 24 residents.
All townhomes include two-car garages and come fully equipped with appliances, including refrigerator, dishwasher, range, microwave, washer, and dryer.
“Cardinal Path represents more than just new homes; it embodies our commitment to creating pathways to stable, affordable homeownership for individuals and families who call Alexandria home,” said Jon Frederick, CEO of Housing Alexandria.
The project targets first-time homebuyers who either live or work in Alexandria and have household incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for the Washington Metro area. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 80% AMI for a family of four in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is approximately $121,200 as of 2024.
The attainable homeownership program at Cardinal Path is specifically tailored to support first-time homebuyers. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Live OR work in the City of Alexandria.
- Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the Washington Metro area.
- Be a first-time homebuyer.
Energy Efficiency Focus
All Cardinal Path homes are designed to meet multiple environmental certifications, including Earthcraft Gold, EnergyStar, and Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) standards. These certifications typically result in 20-40% lower utility costs compared to standard construction, providing ongoing savings for homeowners beyond the initial purchase price.
The development received support through a $1 million grant from the Virginia Housing Workforce Housing Initiative, part of the Commonwealth’s broader effort to address housing affordability challenges facing essential workers.
Shared Equity Model Ensures Long-term Affordability
Housing Alexandria will use a shared equity homeownership model designed to keep the homes affordable “in perpetuity.” Under this approach, the organization retains a stake in the property, limiting how much homeowners can profit when they sell, ensuring the units remain accessible to future moderate-income buyers.
The site plan dedicates 48% of the property to open space, including 7,900 square feet of preserved tree canopy. The final design will provide 56% tree canopy coverage, more than double Alexandria’s required 25%. The development also avoided disturbing what city planners classified as an “isolated wetland of minimal ecological value.”
Application Process Opens
Prospective buyers can begin the application process through Housing Alexandria’s screening system. The process requires completing a screening form, attending a mandatory program orientation, and joining the interested homebuyer mailing list for updates.
Interested prospective homebuyers are encouraged to begin their journey by:
- Filling out the Screening Form: This is required to verify eligibility and enter into the system: https://application.housingalexandria.org/screening/701UU00000D5ZvQ
- Signing up for a Program Orientation: This mandatory session provides essential information about the program: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f07901e8-2704-4325-bcfe-5fefb123ce30@a6642430-afac-4a2d-bb8c-de547ae6d856
- Joining the “Interested Homebuyer Mailing List”: Stay updated on project developments: https://www.housingalexandria.org/homeownership
The project represents a collaboration between multiple partners including the City of Alexandria, Virginia Housing, National Housing Trust, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Northern Virginia Regional Commission, John Marshall Bank, Grounded Solutions Network, and Amazon.
Cardinal Path homes will be part of a professionally managed condominium association. Construction timeline and move-in dates were not specified in the announcement.
For more information about the Cardinal Path homeownership program, visit housingalexandria.org/homeownership.
