Help Us Build the Future of Dance in DC
We Need Your Voice
Dance Loft's Green Arts Complex — our plan to permanently secure our home while bringing 133 affordable apartments to Ward 4 — is at a critical moment.
The building design was approved by the 4E ANC & Zoning board in 2023, but unfortunately affordable tax credits have not been available until now. All we need now is an ANC 4E letter of support for a minor modification to the unit mix, which is required to unlock affordable housing credits from the DC Housing Finance Agency.
We are asking our community to:
✔ Send a Letter of Support
Read below for more specific details and history on the project and proposed interior modification. If you have any additional questions about the project, please email communications@danceloft14.org so that we can get you answers.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
TAKE
ACTION NOW!
Why Your Voice Matters
As with any neighborhood project, a range of perspectives exist. A small but vocal group plans to oppose these minor updates with concerns of affordable housing lessening home values or new developments creating congestion. Extensive research shows affordable housing increases surrounding property values and strengthens community infrastructure.
The ANC needs to hear from the many families, students, artists, neighbors, and patrons who believe in:
Keeping Dance Loft in the neighborhood permanently
Expanding access to the arts
Delivering deeply affordable housing
✔ Send a Letter of Support
Email Your 4E Commissioner directly or send a letter to all 4E commissioners at anc4eoutreach@anc.dc.gov
Chair Commissioner Vince Micone (ANC 4E02), 4E02@anc.dc.gov
Treasurer Commissioner Nikki Jones (ANC 4E01), 4E01@anc.dc.gov
Commissioner Maria Barry (ANC 4E03), 4E03@anc.dc.gov
Secretary Commissioner Julianna Gonen (ANC 4E06), 4E06@anc.dc.gov
Commissioner Camsie McAdams (ANC 4E05), 4E05@anc.dc.gov
Not sure which ANC district you live in? Click here: https://dcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=12bb36e8b77a4a8780125e77e990b146
What Is the project history?
When Dance Loft’s building became available for purchase in 2021, we embarked on an extraordinary project to secure the future of our organization while also strengthening the community we serve. Our historic 1920s art-deco building is in disrepair and we knew a new building would be essential. We partnered with Heleos to jointly purchase the building and began development planning including architectural design, community engagement (400+ letters of community support and strong support from elected officials), and ANC and Zoning hearings. We received Zoning approval in July 2022, and our building permit was approved in August 2023. We are closer than ever to realizing this dream.
Affordable housing financing across DC stalled due to unavailable government funding and tax credits - delaying projects citywide. We now have a major opportunity to move forward. The DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) is prepared to fund the project - but requires modest interior modifications to the residential unit mix in order to secure financing.
This is not a new project! It is the same approved building - strengthened to move forward by offering 133 affordable units rather than the original 66 affordable units within the 101 unit design.
Additional funding commitments for this $77 million development are already secured. Once affordable housing credits are committed, we can begin construction.
What Is NOT Changing
✔ The building footprint remains the same
✔ The height and exterior design do not change
✔ Density does not increase
✔ Traffic and parking impacts do not increase
✔ All units remain affordable
Parking: The number of parking spaces is not increasing, so there will be no increase in vehicle impacts. The building includes 40 on-site parking spaces — exceeding zoning requirements for 133 units — and no parking relief is requested. In addition, at our request and in consultation with the community, DDOT has removed Residential Parking Permit (RPP) eligibility for this building, meaning residents will not be able to obtain neighborhood street parking permits.
What Are the Modifications
✔ Affordability update: The original plan included 66 affordable units (at 30%, 50%, and 60% MFI) plus 35 market-rate units, averaging roughly 75% MFI overall.
The proposed update eliminates both the 30% MFI and market-rate units and instead provides 133 affordable units at 50%, 60%, and 80% MFI — improving the building’s average affordability to 60% MFI. This shift increases workforce housing and removes reliance on voucher subsidies.
What is a PUD Modification?
A PUD modification is a limited adjustment to a project that has already been fully approved by the City. It is not a repeat of the original 17-month public process, during which the project was refined based on neighbor input. All prior commitments regarding design, parking, and neighborhood impact remain in place. While the Zoning Commission does not require an ANC vote for this type of modification, we are presenting the update to ensure transparency and community engagement.
