Mission First Housing Group, Mount Jezreel Community Development Corporation and The Henson Development Company Broke ground on a mixed-income apartment building for seniors on the campus of Mount Jezreel Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD on Saturday, April 28—Mount Jezreel Senior Housing.

County Executive Isiah Leggett joined developers and church leaders today to break ground on an affordable housing residence in Silver Spring for tenants age 62 and older. Mount Jezreel Senior Housing is a $20 million new construction development of a 3-story L-shaped apartment building surrounded by mature trees and convenient to transit service.

The project is a partnership among Mount Jezreel Community Development Corporation, Mission First Housing Group, and the Henson Development Company. The new apartments will be located on Glouster Knoll Drive, just east of the existing Mount Jezreel Baptist Church and Mount Jezreel Christian School in Silver Spring, MD.

The project represents a continuing effort by County leaders to maintain and build affordable housing for seniors. A recent survey of seniors in Montgomery County revealed that housing costs are a top concern. Many are faced with relocating to more affordable locations far away from their support networks. The estimated median income for renters age 62+ in Montgomery County is $34,000, far below the County average of $92,000.

“Attendees at our recent Summit on Aging recommended more affordable housing,” said Leggett. “Further, many requested more intergenerational opportunities. I am glad we will soon have another affordable housing property for seniors, located in an intergenerational community.”

The apartment building is designed to promote group activities with plans for a large meeting room on the first floor.  There will be a shared-use path that connects to the residential neighborhood and the main commercial corridor.  A lighted sidewalk will lead from the new apartment building to University Boulevard transit. There will be 55 parking spaces on the site.

“The State of Maryland is pleased to partner with Montgomery County, Mission First Housing Group, Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church and the Henson Development Company in creating this critically-needed, high quality housing development,” said John Maneval, Deputy Director of the Community Development Administration at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Construction is starting immediately. Apartments are expected to become available in late spring of 2018.

“As our population matures, there is a greater need for senior affordable housing,” said Sarah Constant, managing director for Mission First Housing Group. “Mount Jezreel Senior Housing will allow seniors to live independently in the community where they have established deep roots.”

Mount Jezreel Senior Housing will provide 75 mixed-income apartments for active seniors seeking independent living. Four units will be rented to those with incomes less than 30 percent of area median income (AMI); five will be rented to those with income between 31 percent and 40 percent AMI; eleven will be rented to those with income between 41 percent and 50 percent AMI; and, 47 units will be rented to those with income between 51 percent and 60 percent AMI.  As part of the total 67 affordable units, the developer intends to make 12 units available to senior veterans with incomes between 30 percent and 60 percent of AMI.  Eight units at the property will be rented at market rate.

“We have been delighted to have a great working relationship with the leadership of Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church and look forward to working with them to enhance the campus with the new senior apartments,” said Daniel Henson, President of the Henson Development Company, a developer of affordable and special needs residences.

“The Mount Jezreel Baptist Church is a loving, caring and sharing congregation,” said Pastor Eldridge Spearman. “We are grateful to God to be part of a team that is building affordable senior housing while maintaining the values and character of this neighborhood.”

Grimm+Parker Architects designed the Mount Jezreel Senior Housing Project. Harkins Builders is the contractor and JDC is the construction manager. Columbus Property Management, a member of Mission First Housing Group, will handle property management.

Funding for the project includes approximately $9 million in tax exempt bonds; $1.85 million in Maryland DHCD-Rental Housing Funds; $2 million in Montgomery County HOME Program Funds; $6.6 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit Equity; and $1.1 million in Seller Financing and Developer Equity.

For more information about the Mount Jezreel Senior Housing Project, contact Mission First Housing Group at (202) 223-9785 or visit www.missionfirsthousing.org.  Those interested in joining the wait list to live at Mount Jezreel Senior Housing can visit www.columbuspm.org.