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April 16, 2026
Pictured Above: Program speakers left to right – Steve Smith, Truist Community Capital; Kamilah McAfee, Wesley Housing; Colleen Green, DC Department of Housing and Community Development; Derrick Holloway, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A06
Photo Credit: Paraon Photography LLC
TOPA-led redevelopment expands family-sized housing and preserves long-term affordability
Washington, DC – April 16, 2026: Wesley Housing joined District of Columbia officials, development partners, and residents yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of One Hawaii, a newly redeveloped affordable housing community in Ward 5’s Fort Totten neighborhood.
Located at 1 Hawaii Avenue NE, One Hawaii delivers 70 quality, affordable apartments for individuals and families earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) — more than doubling the 34 units of the former building. The redevelopment significantly expands housing options for families, increasing the number of two- and three-bedroom apartments more than fivefold.
The new community includes 10 studio, 38 one-bedroom, seven two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom apartments. Eight units serving households at 30% of AMI are set aside for permanent supportive housing and are supported by rental assistance through the District of Columbia Housing Authority’s Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP).
Left: Program speakers touring One Hawaii apartment; Right: Attendee group touring bicycle storage room
The One Hawaii redevelopment began in 2017, when the 1 Hawaii Avenue NE Tenants Association exercised their rights under the District’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). Wesley Housing was selected as the association’s development partner and acquired the property in March 2018, addressing immediate safety and livability concerns and working closely with residents throughout the planning and redevelopment process. In accordance with the development agreement, all former residents in good standing have the right to return to the new community and 10 households are planning to do so.
“The opening of One Hawaii is a testament to the residents whose leadership helped shape the future of their community,” said Wesley Housing President and CEO Kamilah McAfee. “We are thrilled to welcome new and existing residents into a brand-new community that expands affordable options for families and pairs high-quality housing with on-site services that support long-term stability and wellbeing.”
Left: Colleen Green, Director, DC Department of Housing and Community Development; Right: Kamilah McAfee, President/CEO, Wesley Housing
Designed to LEED Platinum standards, the new One Hawaii community features amenities such as a community room, an outdoor terrace and children’s play area, rooftop solar arrays and a green roof, below-grade parking for 14 vehicles, and a bicycle storage room exceeding local zoning requirements. The building also incorporates active design elements, including interior stairwells with large windows, making them visible from the exterior to encourage daily physical activity. The site is served by bus stops on all three sides and is located within a mile of the Fort Totten Metro station, providing convenient access to employment and services throughout the region.
“One Hawaii shows what’s possible when residents lead and the District brings every tool to the table,” said DC Department of Housing and Community Development Director Colleen Green. “Through a strong mix of local, federal and private financing, we’re delivering the kind of vibrant, affordable housing District residents deserve.”
The $61.5 million development was financed through a combination of federal and District Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), solar tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, a Freddie Mac permanent loan, funding from the DC Housing Production Trust Fund, and rental assistance through the LRSP.
Left: Attendees gathered on outdoor terrace; Right: Attendee group touring apartment
S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. will manage the community, and Wesley Housing’s on-site resident services team will provide year-round programs and supportive services for residents who began moving in the first week of March.
To learn more about One Hawaii, including leasing information, visit OneHawaiiDC.com or WesleyHousing.org.
About Wesley Housing: Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer in Virginia and DC, has worked to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for more than 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing. Wesley Housing currently owns over 3,000 rental units, providing quality housing for thousands of individuals and families each year. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of more than 5,300 residents, including low- and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities and/or chronic disease. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org.
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