The Neighborhood Monthly eNewsletter – April 2025

Housing People

What’s New in DC?

MHP is the nonprofit developer of two affordable properties in the District’s Ward 8 neighborhood: Unity Place and Crescent Park Village.  

Unity Place is home to almost 400 apartment homes and is currently being renovated, with 70% of construction now completed. Check out this photo of the new community center being built! The center will be complemented by a fantastic new playground, providing enhanced amenities for the many children and families living there. 

Crescent Park Village is a garden style community containing 110 apartments. Construction is also underway there, with a focus on units with over 10-year occupancy. MHP has engaged a consultant to oversee predevelopment for an energy and water retrofit project funded through a $2.3M National Housing Trust grant. We’re glad to provide long-term residents with a refresh and determine ways to enhance sustainability and efficiency. 

Parkview Towers Update

After seven years of major fundraising efforts, MHP has closed on the financing at Parkview Towers, raising nearly $7 million to make long-needed repairs to the façade. This monumental task required tremendous collaboration amongst our real estate, asset management, and finance teams, plus many others along the way. Improvements will begin soon, enhancing the lives of residents and neighbors in the Takoma Park community.  

 

Empowering Families

FLOW Students Reach for Stars

We believe in the power and potential of our Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) students to reach for the stars! They explored the great beyond on a recent trip to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This flagship building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. exhibits aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts. Students enjoyed highlights such as the 1903 Wright Flyer: Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit, Star Trek Starship Enterprise Studio Model, Lilienthal Glider, Fuselage, Northrop, T-38 Talon, and more. 

Tiny Play & Learn Chefs

On Wednesdays, students in our Takoma Park Play & Learn programs take part in a fun, educational, and tasty activity: make your own lunch! This is part of a unit on nutrition in which preschool-age children are learning about what’s in our food, how to prepare simple dishes, and how nutrients affect our bodies. They also get to use plastic knives and feel like real chefs!

Strengthening Neighborhoods

Brunch for Seniors Supports Local Business

More than 30 senior residents at The Bonifant at Silver Spring gathered for a special brunch, featuring Thai delicacies courtesy of Kook Kai restaurant, a family-run business in downtown Silver Spring. Hosted by MHP Community Engagement Specialist Brownette Suku, the event raised awareness about the impact of Purple Line light rail construction on small businesses while creating an opportunity for seniors to discover local business offerings. The residents were delighted to indulge in new flavors and surprised to learn that one of the founders/owners of the restaurant is a fellow resident at The Bonifant. 

As part of the Discover Bonifant initiative, MHP works on community engagement and placemaking efforts to support local businesses in this Downtown Silver Spring neighborhood. There are many unique and vibrant establishments that are struggling due to Purple Line construction disruptions, which can hinder foot traffic and deter customers.  

Consider stopping by Bonifant Street to show your support – and discover a new place to eat! 

Inaugural World Water Day Celebration

World Water Day called for piñatas, and our residents answered! MHP was honored to take part in Montgomery County’s first ever World Water Day celebration and showcase piñatas created by some of the talented, artistic women living in our Wheaton properties. We were also glad to support the mission of World Water Day, which the United Nations has been observing since 1993. The goal is to raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe freshwater worldwide. Although water covers about 71% of the Earth, only 3% of it is fresh!  

From a local perspective, this event was an opportunity to share what’s happening in the Montgomery County community and to provide resources that show how we can protect our local rivers and streams, the source of our drinking water.   

Long Branch Events Calendar

oin us on May 5 in celebrating Cinco De Mayo in Long Branch. In collaboration with many of our Long Branch businesses, there will be food and drink specials, music and dancing, and piñatas every hour! Learn more at here.

Building Dreams Tour

MHP provides thousands of low- and moderate-income families and individuals with quality affordable homes where they can thrive. Our Building Dreams tour, a one-hour experience, is a way to see our work first-hand. Each tour is held at an MHP property and explores the heart of all we do. 

The tours include learning about our holistic approach to housing. You will walk the property, see facilities like Community Centers where innovative programs are happening, and hear inspiring resident stories.

Upcoming Tour

Wednesday, June 11

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Colonnade at the Creek

RSVP by contacting Jaimee Goodman at jgoodman@mhpartners.org or by phone at 301-812-4118.

Let us show you how MHP is fulfilling our mission by housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods.

We’re Hiring

MHP is seeking qualified candidates to join our dynamic team in Silver Spring. With a mission that matters, MHP employees make a difference and enjoy a range of professional benefits.

You might be a fit for our featured job openings. Learn more here.

With competitive pay and benefits, a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and a mission to help people in the community, MHP is a great place to grow your career!