Last month, Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) highlighted four stories of preservation — communities AHC stepped in to protect. Yet AHC’s impact goes beyond preservation to full reimagination and transformation. These five communities — Hunter’s Park, The Jordan, The Apex, Allium Place, and Key’s Pointe — show just how different these transformations can be.
This story comes as AHC embarks on one of its most innovative transformations to date: a partnership with Goodwill of Greater Washington to create the nation’s first co-location of affordable housing and a Goodwill store, now underway in Arlington, Virginia.
Hunter’s Park at Cherrydale
In 2002, AHC purchased a set of aging commercial and residential buildings in Arlington’s walkable Cherrydale neighborhood. The buildings came down in 2003, and in their place rose Hunter’s Park at Cherrydale, a four-story community for independent seniors that opened in January 2005 — the first property AHC built.
Hunter’s Park offers 74 affordable one-bedroom apartments for residents 62 and older with incomes at or below 60% AMI (Area Median Income).
AHC built Hunter’s Park with seniors in mind, and its Resident Services programming reflects that same focus: community engagement, health and food assistance, and economic mobility programs that bring neighbors together in the building’s shared spaces. The building includes a library and community room, computer rooms, and a garden terrace. With easy Metrobus access and shops, dining, and essentials nearby, Hunter’s Park keeps seniors connected and active in their neighborhood.
The Jordan
A quarter mile from the Ballston Metro Station, The Jordan’s 90 affordable homes stand on land AHC didn’t originally own — the result of one of the most creative deals in the organization’s history.
In 2007, when AHC’s plans to redevelop Jordan Manor, a 24-home building acquired in 1990, raised concerns among neighbors, an idea from Ellen Bozman — former Arlington County Board member and community leader — opened another path: an innovative land swap with developer JGB Companies (now JGB Smith), which had acquired a former car dealership site one block away.
The swap moved AHC’s new building closer to public transit and Ballston’s commercial hub. JBG then redeveloped the original Jordan site into townhomes that fit naturally into the surrounding neighborhood. The Arlington County Board unanimously approved the plan in 2008.
Construction began in 2009, and The Jordan opened in 2011, nearly quadrupling the affordable homes on the site. Today, residents enjoy a landscaped courtyard with a children’s play area, a community center, a library, and underground parking. A small garden beside the building is now dedicated as Ellen’s Trace, honoring Bozman’s contributions to Arlington County.
The Berkeley (Now The Apex)
Built in 1960, The Berkeley provided 137 affordable homes across two mid-rise buildings in Arlington, Virginia. AHC acquired the property in 2001 and completed a $1.77 million renovation the following year.
In 2017, The Berkeley won 9% tax credits from Virginia Housing, and Arlington County allocated a $7.4 million loan toward its redevelopment. Demolition began in 2018, making way for The Apex: 256 apartments for residents earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
Completed in 2020, The Apex earned EarthCraft Platinum certification and featured the largest installation of solar panels on a multifamily apartment building in Northern Virginia at the time. Residents also have access to onsite Resident Services programming, from education to social services.
Allium Place
In 2019, Montgomery County, Maryland issued a request for proposals to redevelop 6 acres of unused, county-owned land. AHC answered the call, launching an innovative partnership with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland to bring a new affordable community to the county. The development received unanimous approval from the Montgomery County Council in 2020, started construction in 2022, and opened in 2025.
The 6-acre community offers excellent access to schools, shopping, employment, and transit, and includes 168 apartments in six buildings, 24 condos in two buildings, and three single-family detached homes, including 85 family-sized three- and four-bedroom apartment homes.
Rentals serve households earning 30% to 60% of AMI, condos 30% to 50%, and the single-family homes 70%.
Allium Place has earned several awards, including most recently the 2026 Best Affordable Housing Project award from Housing&.
Key’s Pointe
In Southeast Baltimore, AHC is partnering with The Michaels Organization and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) to revitalize 62 acres of O’Donnell Heights, a 1940s-era public housing community originally built as wartime factory housing.
The first phase of construction began in 2013, and the partnership has constructed 144 homes to date. In October 2025, the partners broke ground on Phase 2A, a $36 million development. Phase 2A remains on track for completion later this year, adding 60 new affordable homes across nine buildings, with residents enjoying access to shared amenities including community spaces, outdoor fitness equipment, and two playgrounds.
Financing for the $36 million development included Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity syndicated by Berkadia, a Freddie Mac first mortgage, Maryland’s Rental Housing Works gap financing, HABC Moving to Work funds, Maryland tax-exempt bonds, and City of Baltimore support including Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars.
When complete, the community will include more than 900 affordable and market-rate townhomes and apartments.
Learn more about AHC’s history and how we’re celebrating 50 years of transforming lives: ahcommunities.org/50years.
2230 North Fairfax Drive
Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22201
703-486-0626
1501 Saint Paul Street
Suite 130
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-685-0366
