Oct 13: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For New Housing For The Homeless At 1320 Mississippi Ave SE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 3, 2011
Contact: Whitney Hicks, (202) 407-7754 , whicks@cohdc.org
Contact: Whitney Hicks, (202) 407-7754 , whicks@cohdc.org
October 13th Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates This Achievement
Washington, DC –Through a unique public-private partnership, 19 formerly homeless families and individuals will now have a place to call home in Ward 8. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-renovated Mississippi Avenue Apartments will take place at
1320 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
Mississippi Avenue Apartments’ development is the result of a successful partnership involving multiple District agencies, developer William C. Smith + Co., and DC nonprofit Community of Hope (COH). Government partners include the DC Department of Human Services, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, the DC Housing Authority, and the DC Department of Mental Health. William C. Smith + Co. developed the property and serves as the property manager, rental subsidies for families are supplied by the District, and COH will provide case management and social services. This District-owned building, a former police station, was vacant for almost twenty years.
The ribbon-cutting will feature remarks from DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, and a client who will soon move into one of the apartments. Following a short program, there will be tours of the new facilities which include ADA accessible apartments.
“COH is pleased to be a partner in this unique project, with the result that 19 families and individuals will now have a place to call home,” says Kelly Sweeney McShane, Executive Director of Community of Hope. McShane adds, “The commitment of so many different players made this project work, and we hope it will serve as a successful model for future housing projects for the homeless in DC.”
W. Christopher Smith, chairman and CEO of William C. Smith + Co., says, “Our company has been providing housing in the Ward 8 community for three decades – from affordable housing to market rate – and we are happy to be a part of this project which meets a specific unfulfilled need.”
COH has been serving families in the Ward 8 community for many years. In addition to the Mississippi Avenue Apartments, COH is serving nearly 150 other homeless or formerly homeless families in our housing programs. Community of Hope is also scheduled to open a brand new, 50,000 square foot Health and Resource Center by 2013 on Atlantic Street, SE.
Founded in 1980, Community of Hope works to improve the health and quality of life for low-income, homeless, and underserved families and individuals in the District of Columbia by providing healthcare, housing with supportive services, educational opportunities, and spiritual support. It was recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the most effective nonprofit organizations in 2011.
The ribbon-cutting will feature remarks from DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, and a client who will soon move into one of the apartments. Following a short program, there will be tours of the new facilities which include ADA accessible apartments.
“COH is pleased to be a partner in this unique project, with the result that 19 families and individuals will now have a place to call home,” says Kelly Sweeney McShane, Executive Director of Community of Hope. McShane adds, “The commitment of so many different players made this project work, and we hope it will serve as a successful model for future housing projects for the homeless in DC.”
W. Christopher Smith, chairman and CEO of William C. Smith + Co., says, “Our company has been providing housing in the Ward 8 community for three decades – from affordable housing to market rate – and we are happy to be a part of this project which meets a specific unfulfilled need.”
COH has been serving families in the Ward 8 community for many years. In addition to the Mississippi Avenue Apartments, COH is serving nearly 150 other homeless or formerly homeless families in our housing programs. Community of Hope is also scheduled to open a brand new, 50,000 square foot Health and Resource Center by 2013 on Atlantic Street, SE.
Founded in 1980, Community of Hope works to improve the health and quality of life for low-income, homeless, and underserved families and individuals in the District of Columbia by providing healthcare, housing with supportive services, educational opportunities, and spiritual support. It was recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the most effective nonprofit organizations in 2011.
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