Construction is set to begin soon at the site of the former Golden Rule Center, located at First and K Streets NW. This development was originally constructed in 1973 to provide affordable housing for families making 80% or less of the area median income. The property encompassed a 15,000 square foot grocery store, 20 one-bedroom units on the roof of the grocery store, and 20 townhouse units. However, due to severe building deterioration, residents were relocated and the site was demolished in 2007.

The SeVerna is the long-awaited redevelopment of this site. Phase I includes 60 units of affordable housing - studio, one, two, and three bedroom units in a five story building along First Street, and a set of three and four bedroom townhouses more suited to families along L Street. Residents who were relocated from the Golden Rule Center will be among the first to move in. Phase II will entail the construction of 130 additional units adjacent to the first 60 units.

This development is one of the many contributions of the nearby Bible Way Church. Established in 1927 by Bishop Smallwood E. Williams, Bible Way Church has been a community anchor in the Northwest One neighborhood of DC. It holds the firm belief that the Church must address both the spiritual and the material needs of the people. Therefore, affordable housing is one of the oldest and most important ministries of the Church.

The “Golden Rule Society” was founded by the church in the 1930s, with a goal of helping those in need. It maintained the Golden Rule Resale Shop until the mid-60s. Following a modest beginning in the 1940s with small neighborhood rooming houses, the Church welcomed the opportunity to provide substantially more and better quality housing through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s low and moderate income housing initiatives which took shape in the late 1960s.

Bible Way Church's sponsorship of major affordable housing developments began with the 183-unit Golden Rule Apartments at 901 New Jersey Avenue, NW, which was dedicated in 1973. Golden Rule Center, now re-developed as The SeVerna, followed shortly after. The adjacent Golden Rule Plaza, which provides 119 affordable units for seniors, was dedicated in 2003. Future developments include an inter-generational building at 4th and K Streets.

Labels: Bible Way Church, Enterprise Green Communities, faith-based development, new construction, SeVerna

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