ANNAPOLIS, MD — A new affordable housing community, called Wilbourn Estates, opened Wednesday in Annapolis. The $25 million complex is home to 78 high-quality apartments and several neighborhood amenities.
The development replaced the former Newtowne 20, a public housing community. Newtowne 20 had 78 units as well, so this project will not add any new apartments for Annapolis renters with lower incomes.
The city is, however, modernizing its affordable housing portfolio. Newtowne 20 was 49 years old.
Wilbourn Estates features energy-efficient apartments with open floor plans and central air conditioning. The carpeted bedrooms have spacious closets, and the living areas offer vinyl flooring. Ceramic tile adorns the bathrooms, and modern appliances fill the kitchens. The in-unit laundry rooms are additional highlights.
Apartments have one to three bedrooms. Some units are stacked. Others are garden-style.
The buildings are centered around a green space. The communal area features a basketball court, a playground and a 3,500-square-foot clubhouse.
Pennrose was the project developer. The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis will operate the neighborhood.
The public housing agency, also known as HACA, temporarily moved the residents of the old site. These Annapolitans got the first chance to return to the new development.
“Providing affordable, quality housing for our families is HACA’s top priority,” said Melissa Maddox-Evans, the executive director of the Housing Authority. “We are glad to partner with Pennrose to achieve what many thought was impossible with the redevelopment of Wilbourn Estates formerly Newtowne 20. We are also grateful for our funding partners who were instrumental in achieving this accomplishment. Our residents will be proud to call Wilbourn Estates home.”
Pennrose started demolishing Newtowne 20 in September 2020. Crews broke ground on Wilbourn Estates in March 2021.
Pennrose previously led the Obery Court and College Creek builds for the Housing Authority.
“We’re thrilled to once again partner with HACA to build a new home for Newtowne 20 residents in this vibrant new neighborhood,” Pennrose Regional Vice President Patrick Stewart said in a press release. “With top-notch amenities and modern apartment features, Wilbourn Estates will be an asset to the City of Annapolis, and a fantastic affordable housing option for both new and returning families.”
Photos of the completed project are posted here and here.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development realized this and let housing authorities convert some public housing into Section 8 units.
Under this model, private developers can get involved. Tennants still have to pay about a third of their income toward rent, but the government gives them vouchers to cover the rest of their bill with private landlords.
Housing authorities around the country are converting their units to Section 8 housing because it gets more congressional funding, Maddox-Evans told Patch.
In Annapolis, the Housing Authority retains ownership of the land under Wilbourn Estates. Pennrose owns the buildings on the property.
Tennants will pay rent to Pennrose. The Housing Authority will run the vouchers to subsidize the rest of the rent.
Wilbourn Estates was funded by:
- Tax exempt bonds, Rental Housing Works, Rental Housing Funds and Housing Trust Funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
- 4 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity proceeds and a construction loan from Bank of America
- HOME funds from Arundel Community Development Services
- Grant funds from the State of Maryland Department of General Services, City of Annapolis CDBG program, and Maryland DHCD Strategic Demolition Fund program
- Seller financing from HACA
- A permanent tax exempt loan from Freddie Mac through Lument
Speakers at the grand opening ceremony for Wilbourn Estates included:
- Patrick Stewart, Regional Vice President, Pennrose
- Melissa Maddox-Evans, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
- Jacquelyn Wells, Board Chair, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
- Congressman John Sarbanes, 3rd District, U.S. House of Representatives
- Secretary Kenneth C. Holt, Office of Secretary, Department of Housing and Community Development
- Del. Shaneka T. Henson, Maryland House of Delegates, District 30A
- Gavin Buckley, Mayor, City of Annapolis
- Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson, Ward 4, City Council of Annapolis
- Steuart Pittmann, County Executive, Anne Arundel County
- Glenda Smith, former resident, Newtowne 20
- Beverly Wilbourn, Former Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
- Miles Cary, Senior Vice President, Bank of America
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Source: patch.com
