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5 Key Reasons The Bloom At Braddock Is A Landmark For Affordable Housing In Alexandria, VA

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The Bloom at Braddock is not just another residential building; it represents a pioneering, hybrid model for affordable housing and community support in Northern Virginia. As of late 2025, this landmark development continues to serve as a crucial component of Alexandria's strategy to combat the regional affordable housing crisis, successfully integrating 97 modern, low-income tax credit (LIHTC) apartments with a state-of-the-art emergency shelter on the same site. This unique co-location, which opened in 2020, has drawn national attention for its innovative approach to community development and transit-oriented living, proving that permanent supportive housing can be both high-quality and seamlessly integrated into a thriving neighborhood.

Located less than a half-mile walk from the Braddock Road Metro Station, The Bloom at Braddock offers residents an unparalleled combination of accessibility, modern amenities, and a stable living environment in a high-opportunity area. The project’s success is a testament to the powerful partnership between Housing Alexandria and Carpenter’s Shelter, demonstrating a fresh solution to the complex challenges of urban redevelopment and housing insecurity. From its EarthCraft Gold certification to its award-winning architectural design by Cooper Carry, The Bloom stands as a blueprint for future affordable housing initiatives across the metropolitan area.

The Groundbreaking Hybrid Model: Affordable Housing Meets Emergency Shelter

The core innovation of The Bloom at Braddock lies in its dual-purpose structure. The seven-story building successfully co-locates 97 affordable apartment units with a new, purpose-built facility for Carpenter’s Shelter, a long-standing emergency shelter organization. This is a radical departure from traditional models that often isolate shelters from permanent housing, and it is a key reason the project won the prestigious Terwilliger Center Award for Innovation in Attainable Housing in 2022.

The partnership between the owner/developer, Housing Alexandria (formerly the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation), and Carpenter’s Shelter was instrumental in the project’s success. The design, executed by architects Cooper Carry, ensures that both the affordable apartments and the shelter facility operate independently while sharing the same physical footprint. This integration normalizes the presence of the shelter and provides a critical pathway for shelter residents to transition into permanent supportive housing within the same community.

The 97 apartment homes are designated as Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units, catering to a range of income levels, ensuring housing stability for low- and moderate-income families and individuals in the Braddock Road neighborhood. The unit mix includes studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom floor plans, addressing the diverse needs of the Alexandria community.

The impact extends beyond just housing. By creating a stable, high-quality environment on the site of the former, aging shelter, The Bloom has helped to revitalize the surrounding Braddock Metro neighborhood. The development ensures that the services of Carpenter's Shelter remain ingrained in the community while providing modern, energy-efficient homes for working families and individuals.

Transit-Oriented Living and EarthCraft Certified Design

A central tenet of The Bloom at Braddock’s appeal is its prime location and commitment to sustainable, transit-oriented development (TOD). The building is strategically situated within a mere three-minute walk (approximately 0.3 miles) of the Braddock Road Metro Station, offering residents direct access to the Yellow and Blue lines of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This proximity is crucial, as it reduces the reliance on personal vehicles, cuts transportation costs for low-income residents, and connects them directly to employment centers in Washington, D.C., Arlington, and greater Northern Virginia.

The architectural design by Cooper Carry was recognized with the 2021 AIA Northern Virginia Design Juror's Citation in Commercial Architecture, highlighting its aesthetic and functional success. The design features a contemporary aesthetic that fits seamlessly into the rapidly developing Braddock area.

Sustainability was a core focus of the project. The Bloom achieved EarthCraft Gold certification, a rigorous standard for green building. This certification reflects the use of energy-efficient systems and materials, which translates into lower utility bills for residents—a vital feature for preserving housing affordability. The units feature Energy Star appliances, luxury vinyl tile flooring, washer/dryers in every unit, and ceramic tile finishes in the bathrooms.

Key Residential and Community Amenities:

  • Washer/dryer in every unit.
  • EarthCraft certified/Energy Star appliances.
  • Luxury vinyl tile flooring.
  • Balconies or patios in select units.
  • Community Room with lounge seating.
  • Multiple outdoor terraces and a playground.
  • Bicycle storage and on-site management.
  • Proximity to Metroway and other major bus routes.

The community spaces, including a 1,600-square-foot food-service kitchen and dining area, further enhance the quality of life, fostering a sense of community among the diverse residents of both The Bloom and Carpenter's Shelter.

The Bloom's Role in Alexandria’s Affordable Housing Future

The Bloom at Braddock stands as a tangible solution to the ongoing affordable housing crisis in Alexandria, VA, a region grappling with escalating housing costs. The city has actively partnered with organizations like Housing Alexandria to utilize the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which incentivizes the private sector to develop affordable rental housing. The Bloom is a prime example of the successful deployment of this strategy.

The project’s funding structure, partially provided by Virginia Housing, demonstrates a successful public-private partnership model. The city's commitment to expanding housing affordability is evident in its continued support for such LIHTC properties. Furthermore, the project's recent inclusion in a May 2024 HUD walking tour of federally assisted properties underscores its importance and recognition at the national level as a model for successful urban redevelopment.

The success of The Bloom has also influenced other developments in the Braddock Metro neighborhood. The area is a focal point for redevelopment, with plans like Braddock West aiming to transform nearby blocks into new mixed-use buildings with street-level retail, further solidifying the transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly nature of the community. The Bloom ensures that as the neighborhood grows and evolves, it remains a place of opportunity for residents across all income levels.

By providing stable, high-quality, and energy-efficient homes near a major transit hub, The Bloom at Braddock addresses multiple facets of the housing challenge: affordability, location, and sustainability. It serves as a powerful entity in the city's housing portfolio, offering a blueprint for other municipalities facing similar crises. This innovative co-location model proves that thoughtful design and strong partnerships can create housing that not only meets a critical need but also enhances the entire community.

5 Key Reasons The Bloom at Braddock is a Landmark for Affordable Housing in Alexandria, VA
the bloom at braddock
the bloom at braddock

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