affordable housing

Alexandria wins Bloomberg Philanthropies grant to fight housing shortage

Published October 15, 2026 at 2:45PM

As seen at the 204-unit affordable housing apartment complex Samuel Madden Homes, Nov. 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is one of 15 cities across the country chosen to receive between $450,000 and $750,000 each in grant funding to increase its housing stock.

Today (Oct. 15), Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that Alexandria is among the first 15 cities to get the grant funding, and that 30 nationwide will be chosen to combat a national shortage of homes. Alexandria was awarded the funds, along with Albuquerque, N.M., Charleston, S.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., Cleveland, Columbia, S.C., Durham, N.C., Louisville, Ky., Miami, Nashville, Tenn., Omaha, Neb., Pittsburgh, Portland, Maine, Providence, R.I. and San Jose, Calif.

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Mixed-use Samuel Madden Homes project reaches topping-out milestone in Parker-Gray

By James Cullum

Published October 12, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated October 12, 2026 at 2:06PM

The Samuel Madden Homes project in Alexandria’s Braddock neighborhood (via Samuel Madden Homes)

The Samuel Madden Homes public housing redevelopment in the Braddock/Parker-Gray neighborhood just hit a major milestone.

Last week, city leaders celebrated the topping out ceremony for the six-story, 295,000-square-foot project at 899 and 999 N. Henry Street that will be home to 207 one-to-four bedroom affordable housing apartments, 7,500 feet of open space, a 500-square-foot ALIVE! community food hub, a Hopkins House early learning and childcare center and retail.

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Goodwin Living breaks ground on new 257-unit senior housing development in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published October 9, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated October 14, 2026 at 10:40AM

Rendering of Goodwin House Seminary Road (courtesy of Goodwin Living)

Additional senior living units from a locally-based operator are coming to Alexandria’s West End.

Goodwin Living broke ground Wednesday (Oct. 7) on the $360 million Goodwin House Seminary Road at N. Beauregard Street and Seminary Road. Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council Members Sandy Marks and Abdel Elnoubi joined Goodwin Living and Clark Construction leaders for the groundbreaking.

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Murals, native gardens earn nine properties 2026 Alexandria Beautification Awards

By Emily Leayman

Published October 5, 2026 at 1:15PM

Mural at Witter Place Apartments (via Alexandria Beautification Commission)

Five homes, two community and commercial properties and one public art project at an apartment community earned 2026 Beautification Awards from the Alexandria Beautification Commission.

The commission annually recognizes Alexandria properties “for thoughtful design, sustainability, and contributions to the beauty of the community.” Award winners were selected from more than 40 nominations.

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West End townhouse project lauded as a regional model for affordable housing

By Scott McCaffrey

Published August 4, 2026 at 9:15AM

Exterior of Cardinal Path townhouses under construction (courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

A new Alexandria townhouse development was saluted July 29 for its creative development plan and focus on providing affordable homeownership opportunities.

Housing Alexandria’s Cardinal Path project at 4575 Seminary Road fills a key gap in the local housing market, making it a role model, according to the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance.

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Alexandria Mayor Gaskins chosen for network of rising Democratic leaders

By James Cullum

Published July 16, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at Alexandria’s 277th birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 11, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins has been chosen to join 21 other rising Democratic state and local leaders from around the country to trade ideas on local governance.

Gaskins is joining NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a network of center-left elected officials, for a year. The mayor will participate in virtual webinars to share ideas and discuss challenges such as rising costs, housing, energy and childcare. She will also take part in the NewDEAL Annual Conference from Nov. 18-20 in D.C.

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City Council approves Housing 2040 Plan to guide housing goals over next 15 years

By Emily Leayman

Published June 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Sherwood apartment building at Southern Towers in Alexandria's West End. (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Saturday (June 13), Alexandria City Council unanimously approved the Housing 2040 Plan, which will set the city’s housing goals over the next 15 years.

The Housing 2040 Plan will guide city policies on expanding housing supply and affordable homeownership, preserving existing affordable housing, seeking landlord-tenant protections, strengthening condominium communities, expanding resources for seniors and people with disabilities, and supporting safe and healthy housing. It will also guide the city’s legislative policies on housing, land use planning, small area plans, housing programs and development of new financial and regulatory tools.

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Increased building heights, more housing areas considered in Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Traffic on Duke Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Increased building height allowances and new areas for housing and open space along Duke Street are among the changes Alexandria staff plan to propose in the updated Duke Street Land Use Plan.

Alexandria City Council received an update Tuesday (May 26) on the plan, which will guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The proposal includes areas deemed “opportunity sites” in industrial areas that city staff wants to redevelop, adding more housing supply and open space, with building heights of up to 150 feet.

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Alexandria releases draft Housing 2040 Plan ahead of public hearings

By Emily Leayman

Published May 26, 2026 at 11:45AM

As seen at the 204-unit affordable housing apartment complex Samuel Madden Homes, Nov. 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has released its draft Housing 2040 Plan, which will set new housing goals for the next 15 years, ahead of June public hearings.

The Housing 2040 Plan is slated to replace the city’s current Housing Master Plan, which was first approved in 2013. That plan had a goal of producing and preserving 2,000 affordable housing units by 2025, and the city exceeded that goal when counting units under construction.

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‘Faith in Housing’ bill on by-right affordable housing will require new ordinance in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published May 18, 2026 at 3:45PM

Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

A bill allowing church-based by-right housing development and several other laws passed during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly will require or allow local action, according to a presentation to Alexandria City Council last week (May 12).

Wendy Ginsberg, the city’s legislative director, provided an update on key bills the city has been tracking or will be impacted by during City Council’s May 12 meeting. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means localities can only use authority granted through state law.

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Tenants sought for affordable units at two apartment complexes in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published April 15, 2026 at 2:45PM

Concept rendering of Sansé and Naja development in Arlandria (courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

Additional affordable housing units will come online soon in the city’s Arlandria and Eisenhower Avenue neighborhoods.

Housing Alexandria will open the wait list for the first phase of the Sansé affordable housing development from April 20 to 26. In August, 206 affordable units ranging from one to three bedrooms will be ready for occupancy at 3600 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria-Chirilagua. A mix of 24 one-bedroom, one-bedroom-with-den and two-bedroom units will be accessible.