MIAMI — The Miami-Dade County Commission has granted final approval for Little River District, a $3 billion mixed-use development in Miami’s Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods. SG Holdings, a joint venture between Swerdlow Group, SJM Partners and Alben Duffie, is the developer. Spanning 63 acres, the project is slated to include more than 5,700 affordable and workforce housing units alongside big box retail stores, small businesses, a major grocery operator, green public space and transit infrastructure with the addition of a new train station. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with a projected development timeline of eight years. Little River District is considered the largest affordable housing development in Miami-Dade County’s history, according to a news release. Plans call for 2,284 affordable housing units for residents earning up to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), 1,398 workforce rental units for those making 120 percent of AMI and 2,048 potential workforce condo units, which would allow the buyers to obtain significant subsidies to meet the purchase price at up to 140 percent AMI. Current residents of existing public housing complexes situated within the development site are guaranteed the right to return to new units at Little River …
Affordable Housing
BOSTON — A partnership between regional multifamily owner-operator WinnCos. and the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has begun work on a $70 million affordable housing project in South Boston. The 94-unit building, which carries a price tag of $62 million, will be constructed as part of the initial phase of the redevelopment of the 1,016-unit Mary Ellen McCormack public housing development, which originally opened in 1938. The partnership plans to invest another $8 million in infrastructure upgrades. Units at the new building will primarily come in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Bank of America provided the construction loan for Building A and is also the tax credit equity investor on the project. Once Building A is completed in late 2026, construction will begin on Building B, which will offer 300 mixed-income apartments, and Building C, which will offer 196 mixed-income apartments, with 172 units reserved for seniors aged 62 or older. In all, eight new residential buildings totaling 1,310 units will be built over the course of a decade during Phase I of the redevelopment, replacing 529 aging public housing apartments for BHA households and creating 781 additional apartments for middle-income and market-rate renters. Existing buildings will be demolished to …
BOSTON — A partnership between nonprofit developer The Community Builders and social services provider Pine Street Inn has completed The Lyndia, a 202-unit affordable housing project in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Designed by Boston-based RODE Architects, The Lyndia offers 140 units for formerly homeless individuals and 62 income-restricted units, as well as 13,000 square feet of community space. Residents will have access to resources like medical and mental healthcare, vocational and volunteer opportunities.
Greysteel Brokers $5.9M Sale of Affordable Seniors Housing Community in Berryville, Virginia
by John Nelson
BERRYVILLE, VA. — Greysteel has brokered the $5.9 million sale of Mary Hardesty House, an affordable seniors housing community located in Berryville, roughly 65 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Fletcher Hultman, Justin Mazzamaro and Henry Mathies of Greysteel represented the seller, The Wentwood Cos., in the transaction. Community Housing Partners was the buyer. Totaling 60 units, the property was developed using low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) financing and is engaged in a long-term affordable housing use agreement. Amenities at the property include a game room, social gathering area, fitness center, outdoor patio and grill and a salon.
Gulf Coast Housing, Midtown Partners to Open Affordable Housing Property in Jackson, Mississippi
by John Nelson
JACKSON, MISS. — Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP) and local nonprofit organization Midtown Partners Inc. plan to open Noel Place, a 27-unit affordable housing community located at 144 Noel St. in Jackson. Set to officially open tomorrow in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with partners and local dignitaries, about 60 percent of Noel Place’s apartments will be reserved for special needs residents, including people with disabilities and senior citizens. Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and BankPlus awarded GCHP with a $499,000 grant to help fund construction of Noel Place. Other partners include Mississippi Home Corp. and Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. VI.
BELLWOOD, ILL. — F.H. Paschen has topped off the first phase of the Bellwood Gateway Development, a $43 million workforce housing project in the Chicago suburb of Bellwood. The four-story, 71-unit community will feature 6,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and is set to open in spring 2026. Serving as the developer and general contractor, F.H. Paschen now moves toward the enclosure of the structures. Once enclosed, work will move on to mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection installations, followed by drywall, windows and façade work. Construction began in July 2024 on the project, which involves the repurposing of the former Village Hall, police and fire stations, and emergency management office. Chicago-based DesignBridge was the architect. The project is financed through a combination of tax-increment financing, a State of Illinois grant and workforce housing bonds.
R.D. Olson Construction Breaks Ground on $57.8M Phase II of Affordable Housing Project in Los Angeles
by Amy Works
LOS ANGELES — R.D. Olson Construction, in partnership with Related California Properties and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, has started construction on Phase II of Rose Hill Courts. The $57.8 million project builds on the success of Phase I, which was completed in 2023. Located at 3521 N. McKenzie Ave., Phase II of Rose Hill Courts will feature seven apartment buildings ranging from two to three stories with basements, totaling 96 affordable housing units. Additionally, the new development will feature a community building dedicated to resident gatherings and events, an outdoor playground and a basketball court. The project will also offer tuck-under parking on five of residential buildings. The total development will space a total of 115,406 square feet of gross building area across a 150,400-square-foot site. Slated for completion in 2027, the project will generate more than 400 construction jobs. Partners on the project include the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Related California Properties, BSB Design (formerly Withee Malcolm Architects) and AMJ Construction Management.
NEW HOPE, BLOOMINGTON AND ST. PAUL, MINN. — BWE has arranged $39 million in loans to refinance a portfolio of six affordable housing properties in New Hope, Bloomington and St. Paul. The properties total 529 units, with 100 percent of the units reserved for tenants earning up to 60 percent of the area median income. Victor Agusta Jr. of BWE originated the Freddie Mac loans on behalf of Aeon, a Twin Cities-based nonprofit that builds affordable housing. The communities include Bass Lake Crossing and Kings Manor in New Hope; Cedar Gate, Cedar Glen and Metropolitan Towers in Bloomington; and Larpenteur Villa in St. Paul.
By David Leopold, SVP, Head of Affordable Housing, Berkadia In today’s shifting real estate landscape, investors increasingly prioritize stability and long-term value. One sector that has consistently demonstrated stability is affordable housing — particularly Section 8 properties backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With guaranteed rental income and high demand, Section 8 housing has become an attractive investment vehicle for those looking to diversify their portfolios while contributing to the critical need for affordable housing. As part of this trend, in 2024 Berkadia financed $837 million and sold more than $172 million in Section 8 properties, including the sale and financing of Lauderhill Point, a Section 8 affordable housing community in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This arrangement underpins the firm’s affordable housing expertise, employing production leaders with an average of 25 years in the sector. For investors exploring opportunities in affordable housing, success depends on understanding the unique benefits and requirements of Section 8 properties. Section 8 Housing as a Safe Haven The largest federal subsidized housing program in the United States, project-based Section 8 provides financial assistance to millions of households across the country, making it a steady source of demand that can give …
USA Properties Fund, Pinyon Group Open $21M Affordable Age-Restricted Property in Carlsbad, California
by Amy Works
CARLSBAD, CALIF. — Roseville, Calif.-based USA Properties Fund and Los Angeles-based The Pinyon Group have opened Vintage at Marja Acres, an affordable age-restricted community in Carlsbad. Located at 4660 Garden Hill Loop, Vintage at Marja Acres offers 47 apartments, a community room, wellness/health center and onsite laundry. The one-bedroom apartments feature energy-efficient appliances and light fixtures, and low-flow faucets, showers and toilets. The units are designated for residents at least 55 years old who earn 30 percent to 60 percent of the area median income for San Diego County, Calif. Vintage at Marja Acres is a public-private partnership that includes the City of Carlsbad, Riverside Charitable Corp. and WNC Inc. JPMorgan Chase is the construction and permanent lender for the $21 million project. IHP Capital Partners and KB Homes are also partners on the project, which is in infill community that is named after a former longtime nursery on the property.