Buying a home near the Bridge District and Poplar Point

New townhomes and historic houses. New townhouses are approved on Howard Road directly across from the Anacostia Metro, Barry Farm's phased redevelopment is delivering townhomes among roughly 1,400 mixed-income homes, and Reunion Square adds a townhome component along MLK Avenue. Up the hill, Historic Anacostia, Fairlawn, and Congress Heights all have established for-sale housing. Development timing changes, so ask us what is for sale when you are ready to buy.

A roughly $400 million phased redevelopment of about 1,400 mixed-income homes minutes from the Anacostia Metro, combining apartment buildings and townhomes with new streets and infrastructure. The first building opened in late 2024 and further phases have been breaking ground since, including construction starting in early 2026. Homes are delivered in stages, so ask what is available when you are ready to buy.

Homes priced for households at a set percentage of area median income come with a covenant recorded against the property: it caps the future resale price, requires you to live there, and usually requires income certification through DC before you buy. The covenant is the condition of the lower price. For the loan, you need a lender that finances resale-restricted properties and an appraisal that reflects the restriction; not every lender does.

A roughly $92 million project converting the old 11th Street Bridge span into DC's first elevated park, connecting Anacostia directly to Navy Yard across the river. The project is a joint effort between DC and Building Bridges Across the River.

Timing. Delivery dates move, and rate locks have expiration dates, so the financing should be structured around a delivery window rather than a fixed settlement date. Anything sold within a condominium or phased community also gets project review — sold-versus-rented ratios, whether the developer still controls the association, reserve funding. Talk to a loan officer before you sign the purchase contract so both are handled early.

An FHA loan needs 3.5% down, and the whole down payment can be a gift from family. Qualifying first-time buyers pay the reduced 0.725% recordation tax rate on purchases up to $777,000 (tax year 2026), and the DC Tax Abatement program waives recordation tax and abates property tax for five years on purchases up to $576,000. The median house price in Historic Anacostia was $487,500 in recorded sales through August 2026 (DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer data). Both programs have income limits and apply at settlement. Buyers within the income limits can also apply for DC Open Doors (through DCHFA's participating lenders), which covers the required minimum down payment, or HPAP (through DHCD-certified housing counseling agencies), which offers up to $202,000 plus $4,000 toward closing costs.

Yes, for buyers who qualify. HPAP (through DHCD-certified housing counseling agencies) provides up to $202,000 in interest-free, deferred assistance plus $4,000 toward closing costs for first-time buyers, and DC Open Doors (through DCHFA's participating lenders) covers the required minimum down payment with no first-time requirement. Where a home is income-restricted, the program and the deed covenant each have income and occupancy rules, and we check that they line up before you sign a contract.