Affordable housing project to include space for nonprofits
An affordable housing project coming to Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads will include space for two local nonprofits, Neighborhood Health and Second Story.
The five-story building will have around 160 apartments – mostly two and three-bedroom units – along with community space reserved for organizations that serve area residents. It will be located on the site of the Crossroads Interim Park, at 5831 Columbia Pike, next to the market-rate Alta Nova Apartments.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority has contracted with the NHP Foundation and Gibson Spyre LLC to develop the project.
Related story: Planning underway for affordable housing in Bailey’s Crossroads
Neighborhood Health provides a range of subsidized healthcare services to lower-income residents, such as pediatrics, women’s health, dental care, behavioral health, family planning, vision services for children, immunizations, and cancer screenings.
The nonprofit operates 12 clinics in Northern Virginia, including two in Annandale – at 6715 Little River Turnpike and a dental clinic at 7501 Little River Turnpike.
Neighborhood Health also helps patients apply for or renew Medicaid and Virginia’s Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan.
Costs are based on income and family size. The fee for a doctor’s visit, for example, ranges from $20 to $125, depending on income and family size, said Medicaid specialist Veronica Benitez at the Mason District Health Fair on Feb. 7.
Second Story operates family resource centers in Culmore and Springfield; a teen center in Culmore; and safe youth programs and computer labs in Culmore, Annandale, and Springfield. The organization is the lead agency for Fairfax County’s Opportunity Neighborhoods initiative in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Second Story has an emergency home for teens in crisis in Tysons, a transitional program for pregnant and parenting moms ages 16-24 in Fairfax, and a program dedicated to providing long-term housing to homeless youths.
Related story: Second Story makes sure Culmore kids are ready for school
At the new building, Second Story plans to have space for an office, community events, and classes on health literacy and other topics, says Soraya Borja, vice president for community-based services.
Construction of the affordable housing project, called Columbia Crossroads, is expected to start in 2028, according to a press release from the NHP Foundation and Gibson Spyre. Leasing would begin in July 2030. Community engagement opportunities will be scheduled this year.
“This development offers a powerful example of how local government, nonprofits, and community-based partners can work together to advance equitable development and opportunity for all,” said NHP Foundation President and CEO Eric Price.
“We’re proud to bring our Virginia-based experience and deep community relationships to this transformational project,” added Tom Gibson, president of Gibson Spyre. “Our partnership with NHPF and Fairfax County will deliver not just affordable homes, but a thriving community hub where families can live, learn, and grow for generations.”
I wonder who they’re planning to bring in.
Neighborhood Health, and Second Story are the two non profits that will be occupying space there, I believe according to the article.
More low income housing – more resources for whomever – how about building an industry infrastructure with good jobs – oh wait – that takes brains – something this BoS – sans the the Springfield rep lack. Ya – build that Casino in Tysons!
We do not need low income housing (more) in this area. We lack the infrastructure for it. Roads, schools and services. We do need job opportunities, entertainment, etc. This is a mistake. We continually dump low housing in the same areas because NIMBYs will not spread it around the county.
yes, bring in more apartments but don’t plan the school infrastructure to accomodate all of the students that this will add to the already overcrowded school system.
can we get good local retail or something interesting/cool ever?
There’ll also be a stack of pre-filled ballots in the lobby of each building so new arrivals can just drop em in the box thanking their Dem benefactors.
(C’mon, it’s a joke people.)
I certainly hope so! Great idea!
Increasing housing availability – at all levels – is the only way we are going to dig ourselves out of a local market that is 200,000-300,000 units short over the next decade. In Mason District, we have had many smaller infill units being built – often at the over $1M level – and now, finally a healthy new start on apartments. What makes this project exciting to me is that by providing space for local, meaningful non-profits, we increase their ability to serve our community. I would hope this model is used elsewhere across the county.
Thank you, Jim, for your thoughtful response.
For those who complain about people on the street without homes, I’d like to point out that this project is one step toward helping those folks find housing.
Market and regulatory structures dictate how, what, and where housing is built and at what cost. The distortion is evident. Think on this, why is this affordable housing not in the heart of McLean instead of packing more into Mason district – cost. It’s one of the reasons I saved, and saved and eventually bought a home in Mason district.