A lack of affordable housing continues to weigh on renters across the country, while developers face a slew of challenges that make it difficult for such projects to pencil out. Nonetheless, affordable housing pros are finding ways to build them.
Here are three new affordable developments that have just started construction.
Landmark on Scioto
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Developer: Lincoln Avenue Communities
Units: 321
Cost: Not disclosed
Lincoln Avenue Communities broke ground this week on Landmark on Scioto, a build-to-rent community of one- and two-story buildings with 321 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom homes, according to an April 8 press release from the Santa Monica, California-based acquirer and developer of affordable housing. The homes are designed for households earning up to 60% of the area’s median income.
The housing is situated on 44.5 acres, and communal amenities will include a fitness center, a pool, a clubhouse, outdoor eating and grilling areas and a variety of open spaces, per the release. The project is expected to begin leasing in summer 2026, with full completion in 2028.
La Maravilla
Location: San Francisco
Developers: Mission Housing Development Corp. and the Mission Economic Development Agency
Units: 136, total 382
Cost: Not disclosed
Work has begun on the first of three buildings planned for the larger “La Maravilla,” or The Marvel in the Mission project, with an official groundbreaking scheduled for later in April, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday. Located next to the 16th Street BART station, it is slated to be the biggest affordable housing site in San Francisco’s Mission District.
The project is designed to serve low-income families and individuals, and pairs affordable housing with on-site services, according to Mission Housing. MEDA and Mission Housing were selected to develop, own and operate the project, which is funded by a combination of local, state and federal affordable financing sources as well as bonds.
The first building will rise nine stories with 136 units of permanent supportive housing to help formerly homeless residents maintain stability, according to Mission Housing. The second and third phases will add 134 and 112 affordable family housing units, respectively. Leasing and occupancy are expected in March 2027.
Campello public housing campus
Location: Brockton, Massachusetts
Developers: Brockton Housing Authority and Cambridge Housing Authority
Units: 144, total 398
Cost: Not disclosed
The aging Campello public housing campus in Brockton is being transformed into modern, sustainable housing designed to better serve senior and disabled residents and address decades of deferred capital needs, according to the Brockton Housing Authority. The three-phase redevelopment entails replacing two existing high-rise buildings and a single-story structure that house a total of 398 public housing units.
Shawmut just broke ground on a new seven-story residential building with 144 affordable apartments, marking the first step in a comprehensive effort to replace outdated high-rise buildings built in 1972, according to an April 2 press release from the contractor. The complete project will feature three newly constructed residential buildings.
On-site amenities include a ground-floor lounge, dedicated laundry and fitness facilities, community gathering spaces and resident parking with electric-vehicle charging stations, per Shawmut. The building will feature all-electric heating and cooling systems, high-performance windows, enhanced insulation, low-flow plumbing fixtures and solar-ready roofing.
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