June 16, 2022
Located about 30 miles south of Washington, D.C., the Town of Dumfries has much to offer but, like many communities in Northern Virginia, faces a shortage of affordable rental options for its growing population. Community Housing Partners (CHP), which develops affordable and sustainable housing throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, has been working to change that.
In 2021, CHP completed Townsquare at Dumfries, a 227-unit apartment community that features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units across six buildings. According to Todd Collins, Assistant Vice President of Development, Townsquare was the largest multifamily development in the history of the Town of Dumfries, which has an estimated population of around 6,000 people.
“We are proud that CHP is not only increasing the number of apartments available in the Town of Dumfries, but also creating affordable options for residents there,” said Collins, who explained that families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income are eligible to live at Townsquare.
CHP utilized sustainable building practices and pursued EarthCraft certification while developing the apartment community. Residents have access to a walking trail and a community center with computer rooms, a dog-grooming station, and a kitchen area. CHP also has a Resident Services Coordinator offering programs and services on the site. According to a 2021 resident survey, the top reasons to move into Townsquare at Dumfries were the location and amenities.
“The building complex is conveniently located near the highway and there are many shopping locations in the vicinity,” one resident wrote. “The managers are excellent. They are very clear with their communications and are regularly available for residents. The apartment is very nice, with everything clean and usable upon arrival.”
Others agreed. “This is my first time having my own place, but I am a young person, and my leasing office has made it so easy for me to understand and access things I need to know in regard to living here,” another resident wrote. “It is a nice community and I love the style of the apartments. I have no regrets in picking here to live.”
CHP utilized Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and support from the Virginia Housing Development Authority, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Hudson Capital on the real estate development totaling $55 million, including more than $30 million in construction costs. Moseley Architects and Breeden Construction served as the design firm and general contractor, respectively.
“We have made a significant investment in the Town of Dumfries, and our work is having a big impact there,” Collins said. According to HousingForward Virginia’s economic impact calculator, Townsquare at Dumfries generates more than $739,000 in gross fiscal revenues and $4 million in local economic growth for Prince William County and the surrounding area.
Townsquare is not the end of this work in Dumfries, though. CHP sold land on the site to another real estate developer, which is building market-rate townhomes nearby, and CHP is moving forward with plans for a 40-unit senior community adjacent to Townsquare. The company has also applied for LIHTC funding for Crestview Apartments, a proposed 60-unit senior development with a 5,000-square-foot commercial space. (Learn about the Residences at North Hill, another CHP community under construction in nearby Fairfax County.)
For residents, these new rental options are providing affordable homes in the Town of Dumfries. “I love just about everything about this apartment community,” wrote a Townsquare resident. “It’s beautiful, clean, affordable, and conveniently located.”