Current News
April 25, 2012 - Key LISC Partner in Southwest Seeking Part Time Coordinator to Support Neighborhood Efforts
April 12, 2012 - LISC's $3.9 Million Investment in the Howard Theatre Helps Bring Renowned Venue Back to Life
March 8, 2012 - New Report Shows Gap Between Wealthy and Poor in Washington, DC is one of the Highest in the Nation
February 22, 2012- DC LISC Director, Oramenta Newsome Appointed by Mayor Gray to Serve on Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force
January 12, 2012 - LISC Targeted Neighborhood Parkside-Kenilworth Designated a HUD Choice Neighborhood
January 10, 2012 - Mi Casa Celebrates Completion of 15 new Homes in Ivy City, Welcomes New Family to the Neighborhood
November 8, 2011 -Hundreds gather to kick off LISC's 30th Anniversary Year of Celebration and Discovery
October 25, 2011 - LISC Investment Brings Affordable Artist Live/ Work Lofts to Brookland
October 13, 2011 - LISC Celebrates Grand Opening of 1320 Mississippi Ave SE, 19 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing
July 16, 2011 - LISC Investment with DC Habitat for Humanity helps new homeowners in Ivy City enjoy healthy, energy efficient homes
June 9, 2011 - LISC $1 Million investment brings 15 affordable condominiums to Columbia Heights
May 18, 2011 - A Garden Grows at THEARC
May 12, 2011- LISC/ SOME Partnership brings 53 homeless men and women new homes
April 27, 2011 - Oramenta Newsome joins Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative town hall meeting
April 16, 2011- Manna breaks ground in Ivy City
Key LISC Partner in Southwest Seeking Part Time Coordinator to Support Neighborhood Efforts
April 25, 2012 - The SW/SE Community Benefits Coordinating Council (CBCC), LISC's primary partner in the Southwest neighborhood is looking for a part -time coordinator to support the organization and its initiatives. LISC is providing a portion of the funding for the position as part of our commitment to the Southwest community.
Please click here to view the entire position description.
LISC's $3.9 Million Investment in the Howard Theatre Helps Bring Renowned Venue Back to Life
April 12, 2012 - Throughout the week, thousands celebrated the Grand Opening of the restored historic Howard Theatre. To make this dream come true for our neighbors in the Shaw and LeDroit Park neighborhoods, LISC provided a $3.9 million predevelopment loan. [View photos of the Howard before and today. Also, see National LISC's article discussing the significance of this restoration.]
Why: Because we provide loan, grants, equity and technical support for projects, program and initiatives that will restore neighborhood landmarks and bring jobs, new investments and a better quality of life to neighborhoods. This is our mission, to help create healthy neighborhoods that are good places to live, work, raise children and conduct business.
Also, this was not our first investment in the Shaw neighborhood. For example we invested in the conversion of the historic Whitelaw Hotel into the Whitelaw Apartments, the creation of the Arthur Flemming Senior Services Center and the restoration of the historic Thurgood Marshall Center.
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LISC was created to be the first investor, to take some of those upfront risks in order to attract private and public sector capital to neighborhood revitalization projects.
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What: We made the first investment, a $3.9 million dollar predevelopment loan to cover the costs of a range of work and studies (e.g. architectural, engineering, environmental studies, traffic study, feasibility study, etc) that the banks, city and philanthropy needed to determine whether to invest in the theatre's restoration.
Who: We made the loan to Howard Theatre Restoration, Inc. in 2008 and continued to work with them over the last 4 years, helping to structure financing from new investors and lenders.
But the Howard Theatre was not our first investment in restoring landmark theatres. We provided funding for the Gala Hispanic Theatre to relocate in the restored Tivoli Theatre on 14th Street NW as a part of the amazing revitalization of the Columbia Heights neighborhood. We provided funding for the restoration of the art deco Atlas Theatre on the H Street NE Commercial Corridor. Today, a portion of the H Street Corridor is known as the Atlas Arts District and the amount of new investment in restaurants, businesses, residential development on H Street can be directly attributed to the extraordinary arts and cultural activities that occur at the Atlas Theatre.
Bottom Line: Theatres can be significant catalysts for neighborhood revitalization, bringing not only jobs but also giving people a reason to venture out onto the commercial corridors. This then attracts new businesses. With each new investment you begin to see visible and viable change that positively feeds the growth and revitalization of neighborhoods.
New Report Shows the Gap Between the Wealthy and Poor in Washington, DC is one of the Highest in the Nation
March 8, 2012 - The DC Fiscal Policy Institute released a report that points to an ever increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor in the Nation's Capitol. At LISC, we see this divide in our everyday work and are deploying all of our resources to help close that gap. The report calls for better job training, living wage jobs, and affordable housing as effective tools that can close the gap.
Some excerpts from the report:
"The gap between high-income and low-income households in the District is the third-highest among the 50 largest cities, after Atlanta and Boston. In DC, the average income of the top fifth is 29 times the income of the bottom fifth."
"Addressing income inequality — lifting the incomes of those at the bottom — requires adequate funding for programs that support the city’s workforce and affordable housing supply. Funding programs that help low-income households prepare for and find living-wage jobs and that help families live in decent and reasonably priced housing are among the most effective ways to close this gap."
"The poverty rate for the District of Columbia was 19 percent in 2010. The poverty rate for the surrounding suburban area – the Washington metro area other than the District — was only seven percent. The difference in city and suburban poverty rates – over 12 percentage points – is one of the highest among large cities."
Download the full report to see more.
DC LISC Executive Director Oramenta Newsome Appointed by Mayor Vincent Gray to Serve as Member of the Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force
February 22, 2012 - Today, Mayor Vincent Gray announced the appointment of DC LISC Director Oramenta Newsome to the District of Columbia Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force. She joins other key leaders in the affordable housing industry in helping to shape housing policy that meets the needs of City residents.
The Task Force will look at both the supply and demand sides of housing, that is the production and preservation of housing as well as the income/ employment issues that determine whether a household can purchase or rent a home. The Task Force will begin its work in March, 2012.
Pictured right: Oramenta Newsome (second from left) with members of the task force.
LISC Targeted Neighborhood, Parkside Kenilworth, Designated a HUD Choice Neighborhood
January 12, 2012 - Today, the US Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD) announced that Parkside- Kenilworth was one of only 13 neighborhoods nationwide to be designated a HUD Choice Neighborhood. The designation results in a $300,000 planning grant to the DC Housing Authority to enhance existing public housing and voucher assisted housing in the neighborhood.
The Housing Authority will use the grant to revitalize the 288-unit Kenilworth Courts public housing development and the 132 project-based voucher units owned by the Kenilworth Parkside Management Corporation, both within the Promise Neighborhood in Parkside-Kenilworth.
LISC is a key funding and technical assistance provider to the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative. This award will help further their mission to help transform the Parkside- Kenilworth community into a place where children successfully complete their education and enter adulthood as productive participants in the 21st century economy and in the civic life of their communities.
Mi Casa Celebrates Completion of 15 New Homes in Ivy City, Welcomes New Family to the Neighborhood
January 10, 2012 - It was a great day to be in the Ivy City neighborhood of northeast Washington, DC. There, LISC gathered with partner Mi Casa and others to celebrate the completion of Mi Casa's 15 affordable, energy efficient, for sale homes in the Ivy City neighborhood. The homes are part of the larger Ivy City Housing Initiative, a multi partner effort to replace 37 vacant properties/parcels with 58 affordable homeownership units. Of Mi Casa's total 15 units, 7 are new construction single family homes and 8 are rehabilitated condominiums. Today, 5 of the single family homes and 2 of the condominiums are under contract.
Mayor Vincent Gray spoke at the event and singled out LISC Director Oramenta Newsome, thanking her for not only making sure that dollars flowed to key projects throughout the neighborhoods of the city, but for doing this work from her heart. LISC has been active in Ivy City for several years now, supporting Mi Casa and the Ivy City Housing Initiative and more recently providing a grant to Empower DC to work with residents to better advocate for their neighborhood.
Today's celebration took place at 1868 Corcoran St. NE, one of Mi Casa's new construction single family homes (pictured above, both left and center). This 2,100 square foot, 5 bedroom house was sold to Ms. Peta-Gay Lewis (pictured above, far right), a first time homeowner who has worked toward owning her own home for over 6 years. She has already joined the Ivy City Civic Association as Treasurer and is wasting no time becoming an advocate for her family's new neighborhood. We congratulate Ms. Lewis and Mi Casa on this important milestone.
View the video from this event, featuring Mi Casa, LISC, Ms. Lewis, Mayor Gray and others who helped make this project possible.
Hundreds gather to kick off LISC's 30th Anniversary Year of Celebration and Discovery
November 8, 2011 - A Celebration of Partnerships. Hundreds gathered for breakfast at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street NE to celebrate partnerships that have helped improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The event featured a slideshow containing 30 years of LISC projects, a community development trivia game that challenged even the most knowledgeable Washingtonians and the presentation of the 2011 Arthur S. Flemming Award to Bob Moore, the President of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights.
See who came to celebrate. Also, check out the brief video taken at the event from our partners and friends on LISC's 30th Year.
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LISC Investment Brings Affordable Artist Live/Work Lofts to Brookland 
October 25, 2011 - Crowds gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Brookland Artspace Lofts, a mixed-use arts facility located at 3305 8th St. NE. LISC, through our affiliate the National Equity Fund, provided $4 million in equity to help create the Lofts which contain 39 affordable live/work units for low-income artists. It also serves Dance Place, an affordable dance and creative arts program, by providing commercial, gallery, and studio space, plus two residential units for guest artists. As one of the few artist live/work projects in Washington, DC, all of the units are leased with a waiting list. For more information visit ArtSpace.
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LISC Celebrates Grand Opening of 1320 Mississippi Ave SE, 19 new units of Permanent Supportive Housing
October 13, 2011 - After over 20 years of sitting vacant, the former police station at 1320 Mississippi Ave SE was transformed into 19 new, vibrant apartments for homeless families and individuals. Redeveloped by William C. Smith, the property was a unique collaboration between the for profit developer, numerous city agencies and nonprofit service provider Community of Hope.
The property will provide 19 units of permanent supportive housing, meaning there is no set timeline for families to move out or transition. LISC partner Community of Hope will provide on-site comprehensive services to help connect families to the resources to improve their lives. LISC provided Community of Hope a $25,000 grant to install a high quality playground for the many children who will live and in some cases, grow up there. This property is located in Congress Heights, a targeted investment neighborhood for LISC.
Above from left: A crowd gathers outside newly renovated 1320 Mississippi Ave SE; a look inside the apartments.
Above from left: Denise Gibson, future resident of 1320 Mississippi Ave Apartments recounts her battle with homelessness; the LISC sponsored playground; LISC Director Oramenta Newsome with Community of Hope Director Kelly McShane.
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LISC Investment with DC Habitat for Humanity helps new homeowners in Ivy City enjoy new, healthy, efficient homes
July 16, 2011 - Today, eight first time homebuyers got the keys to their new, energy efficient homes in Ivy City. Part of the Ivy City Initiative, an effort that is replacing 37 vacant parcels with 58 new homeownership units, these homes were built and rehabilitated by DC Habitat for Humanity, with the help of hundreds of volunteers and numerous hours of sweat equity provided by the homebuyers. DC LISC provided a $75,000 low cost loan and a $25,000 grant to DC Habitat for Humanity to help increase energy and water efficiency and meet the Earthcraft green building standard.
Ivy City is a targeted investment neighborhood for DC LISC. We are working with three community vetted nonprofit developers, including Habitat for Humanity, to help redevelop and re-energize this community. To learn more visit Ivy City.
Pictured Above: Left, DC Habitat Director Kent Adcock congratulates a new homeowner; Right: Kent Adcock prepares to cut the ribbon on a new house
LISC $1 Million investment brings 15 affordable condominiums to Columbia Heights
June 9, 2011- LISC joined Manna in celebrating the Grand Opening of the Cardozo Court Condominium. Located at 15th and Clifton Streets NW, this brand new property is providing affordable homeownership for 15 low to moderate-income families in the high priced Columbia Heights neighborhood. LISC provided a $1 Million construction loan and grant operating support to Manna. The homes are highly energy efficient and are within walking distance to retail and mass transit.
Above: Cardozo Condominiums exterior and interior
This investment is part of our equitable development strategy- to help lower income families thrive throughout Washington, DC.
A Garden Grows at THEARC
May 18, 2011 - Today an excited group of neighbors and members of the Scotts Miracle-Gro team planted seedlings, plants, fruit trees and a giant pumpkin "mountain" at THEARC (1901 Mississippi Ave SE) in Washington, DC. The garden caretakers plan to sell the crops at the new Farmers Market at THEARC, opening this summer.
As part of its Northeast Region Greens Initiative, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Team provided volunteers, tools, soil, manure, gloves, and sheds to help expand the garden. "Help others. No strings attached, period." That was the mandate given to George Geller, NE Marketing Manger for Scotts Miracle-Gro in November 2010. "Find worthy causes and ask them what they need--then buy it, spread it, plant it or build it. At THEARC we accomplished all of these goals and had a fun time doing so, in one-day's time."
Neighborhood volunteers expressed varying reasons for being out with a rake and hoe:"It is important to teach our children how to live off the land" "I am just here to give back to the community"
Acting in our broker role, we introduced Scotts Miracle-Gro to the team at THEARC and facilitated the donation of the labor and supplies. This is a part of our long-term commitment and sustainable communities work in the Congress Heights neighborhood.
LISC/ SOME Partnership brings 53 homeless men and women new homes
May 12, 2011 - SOME (So Others Might Eat) opened the doors to Chabraja House, a newly renovated apartment building at 3828 S. Capitol St. SE in the Bellevue neighborhood. Chabraja house provides supportive housing for 53 homeless single women and men. Previously vacant, SOME made extensive renovations to transform the damaged apartments into single rooms where residents will live with dignity. Chabraja House residents have their own private bedrooms and share common living spaces. Green features include a rooftop solar water heating system.
Chabraja House (pictured above) is a result of the ongoing partnership between So Others Might Eat and LISC. We provided a $735,000 loan for the renovation of the building. This was our 5th loan/investment with SOME to help them reach their goal of 1,000 homes for lower income households.
Oramenta Newsome joins Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan at the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative Town Hall Meeting
April 27, 2011 - Today, a Oramenta Newsome was featured on a panel of dignitaries and neighborhood representatives at a town hall to discuss the current status of the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative. The town hall took place at the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy, Parkside Campus.
The panel of speakers included: Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education (pictured right with DC LISC Director Oramenta Newsome), Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, DC Mayor Vincent Gray, and Alma Powell, the Chairwomen for America’s Promise Alliance. All delivered brief remarks and fielded questions from the audience.
The hour-long event was hosted by Irasema Salcido, founder of Chavez Schools. The panelists continued to drive home the critical link between breaking the cycle of generational poverty and improving quality of life to raising educational standards, beginning at birth and continuing until college graduation.
Manna Breaks Ground in Ivy City
April 8, 2011 - LISC joined future residents of Ivy City, officials, 
funders and longtime partner Manna to celebrate the start of construction on Bexhill Condominiums. The Bexhill will bring 20 new affordable townhome style condominiums to the Ivy City neighborhood. The units range from 2 - 4 bedrooms and prices start at $137,000.
The Bexhill Condos are part of the Ivy City Initiative - an initiative that replaces 37 abandoned and vacant lots with 58 units of affordable homeownership. Manna joins Mi Casa, and DC Habitat for Humanity as the developers chosen through a competitive RFP process to redevelop the neighborhood.
Reverend Jim Dickerson, Chair of Manna's Board, reminded us that this was a great example of revitalization without displacement. He also noted that this initiative represents public private partnerships at its best.
LISC is providing $150,000 in operating support to Manna and is a key partner in the Ivy City Initiative, acting as convener, providing financing and funding and assisting with marketing efforts. (Pictured above from left: Rev. Jim Dickerson introduces the Bexhill homebuyers and future residents of Ivy City)
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