District of Columbia Housing Authority
300 7th Street, SW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20024
202-535-1000
__________________________________________________________________________________
Brenda Donald, Executive Director
June 22, 2023
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004-3003
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 2-352.02, I have enclosed, for consideration by the Council of the
District of Columbia, the Council Contract Summary for the Agreement to Enter into a Long Term
Subsidy Contract (“ALTSC”) between the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) and
Lisner Senior Independent Owner LP (the “Owner”) and the proposed "Local Rent Supplement
Program Contract No. 2022-ALRSP-01A with Lisner Senior Independent Owner LP Approval
Resolution of 2023." DCHA proposes to provide a housing subsidy to the Owner in the amount of
$1,652,352 annually for a multi-year term of fifteen (15) years, in support of the District’s Local Rent
Supplement Program (“LRSP”) to provide affordable housing units at Lisner Senior Apartments
located at 5455 Western Avenue NW.
As always, I am available to discuss any questions you may have regarding the proposed LTSC. In
order to facilitate a response to any questions concerning this ALTSC, please have your staff contact
me at (202) 535-1513.
I look forward to your favorable consideration of this proposed ALTSC agreement.
Sincerely,
Brenda Donald
Executive Director, District of Columbia Housing Authority
Enclosures
BD/hg
cc: Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council
www.dchousing.org
 Date: June 22, 2023
Pursuant to section 202(c) of the Procurement Practice Reform Act of 2010, as amended, D.C. Official
Code § 2-532.02(c), the following contract summary is provided:
COUNCIL CONTRACT SUMMARY
(A) Contract Number: 2022-ALRSP-01A
Proposed Contractor: Lisner Senior Independent Owner LP (the “Owner”)
Contract Amount (Base Period): $1,652,352 Annually
Unit and Method of Compensation: Housing Assistance Payments, paid monthly
Term of Contract: 15 Years
Type of Contract: Agreement to Enter into a Long-Term Subsidy
Source Selection Method: See “D” below
(B) For a contract containing option periods, the contract amount for the base period and for
each option period. If the contract amount for one or more of the option periods differs
from the amount for the base period, provide an explanation of the reason for the
difference:
This is a multi-year contract.
(C) The goods or services to be provided, the methods of delivering goods or services, and any
significant program changes reflected in the proposed contract:
Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 2-352.02, I have enclosed, for consideration by the Council of
the District of Columbia, the Council Contract Summary for the Agreement to Enter into a Long
Term Subsidy Contract (“ALTSC”) between the District of Columbia Housing Authority
(“DCHA”) and Lisner Senior Independent Owner LP (the “Owner”). DCHA proposes to provide
a housing subsidy to the Owner in the initial amount of $1,652,352 annually for a multi-year term
of fifteen (15) years, in support of the District’s Local Rent Supplement Program (“LRSP”) to
provide affordable housing at Lisner Senior Apartments located at 5455 Western Avenue NW.
(D) The selection process, including the number of offerors, the evaluation criteria, and the
evaluation results, including price, technical or quality, and past performance components:
In September of 2021, the District of Columbia’s Department of Housing and Community
Development (“DHCD”) issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) regarding the availability of
funds from multiple district agencies, including DCHA, DHCD, the Department of Behavioral
Health, the Department of Human Services, and the District of Columbia Housing Finance
Agency. Of the total proposals received, thirty-four developers were chosen to work with DCHA
and others to develop affordable housing and permanent supportive housing units for extremely
low income families making zero to thirty percent of the area’s median income, as well as the
chronically homeless and individuals with mental or physical disabilities throughout Washington,
DC.
After meeting the requirements for DHCD review and LRSP subsidy eligibility, proposals were
evaluated on various underwriting and prioritization criteria including financial feasibility,
project sustainability, development team capacity, amount of capital requested, nonprofit
participation, and furtherance of the development of affordable housing. Additionally, DCHA has
determined
 that the proposed project meets the District of Columbia’s Consolidated Plan and the Mayor’s
goal for providing affordable housing opportunities in neighborhoods.
(E) A description of any bid protest related to the award of the contract, including whether the
protest was resolved through litigation, withdrawal of the protest by the protestor, or
voluntary corrective action by the District. Include the identity of the protestor, the grounds
alleged in the protest, and any deficiencies identified by the District as a result of the
protest:
None.
(F) The background and qualifications of the proposed contractor, including its organization,
financial stability, personnel, and performance on past or current government or private
sector contracts with requirements similar to those of the proposed contract:
Lisner Senior Independent Apts – The Lisner project has been designed in direct response to several
significant features presented by the existing Lisner Home site. These include deference to and preservation
of the historic Lisner site; care for the existing heritage trees; respect for the surrounding neighbors; and
connectivity to the existing Lisner facilities to enhance services available to LSI residents. The
development team has worked hard to ensure maximum cost effectiveness within the envelope of these
constraints, including extensive work with the District Historic Preservation Office (“SHPO”), DDOT’s
Urban Forestry team, and local community members in the effort to respect each priority.
Historic Preservation - The LSI team engaged early on with EHT Traceries, a highly regarded
CBE historic preservation consultant, to evaluate the existing Lisner site to ensure that any
future development would respect the long history of the Lisner Home. While the Lisner site
is not currently designated as historic, we believe there is a possibility it could be designated
in the future. In order to ensure maximum feasibility for the LSI project, the team opted to
pursue a courtesy review process with HPRB. In preparation, the team held multiple review
calls with SHPO staff, received a formal SHPO staff report, and received constructive
feedback through an HPRB courtesy review on 12/2/21. Some of the specific components of
the building design that have been informed by this process include:
• Set-back of the Western side of the building from the existing 1940’s building, allowing the
1940’s building to maintain its stature and presence from Western Ave.
• Maintain an all-brick façade.
• Reflect the rhythms and details of the 1940’s façade, including references to the pitched
roofs, window styles and entryways, particularly on the Western face of the new building.
• The scale and location of the Eastern Wing along the 42nd St. side of the site, ensuring that the
façade has substantial projections and volume changes that speak to the character and scale of the
surrounding neighborhood.
Heritage Trees - The existing site is home to several beautiful heritage trees whose
preservation has been another key component in shaping the building footprint. Early on the
LSI team engaged horticulturalist Pitchford Associates to evaluate the existing trees on the
site and understand what had to remain, what could move, and how to do so successfully.
Numerous discussions and site visits with Pitchford and Urban Forestry provided clear
priorities: Tree 201 on the Northern side of the site must be avoided by both underground
work to protect its root structure and above ground structure to protect its canopy, leading to
the building’s “V” shape; Tree 212, which exists approximately 30’ West of the location
shown on plan, could in fact be relocated as shown (this relocation is included in the project’s
capital budget).
Respect for Neighbors - The Lisner Home has an impeccable reputation with its neighbors,
and consideration of the development’s impact on their homes was taken into consideration,
starting with LSI building location within the larger site. Lisner selected the location to
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 minimize its impact to the neighbors, given the site’s frontage on Western Ave, the existing
curb cut and park on Livingston Street across from the site, and the limited number of
residential homes directly across from the rear of the site on 42nd Street, which are largely
screened by large, mature trees and an existing hedge. Further, the Lisner site represents a
transition from the larger scale Chevy Chase Pavilion to the Chase Point Condo Buildings on
Wisconsin Avenue to the existing Lisner buildings. The LSI Project further facilitates the
transition into the residential neighborhood. The facade of the building has been held back 40’
from the property line in order to maintain the existing trees, support relocated tree 212, and
create a substantial green buffer. In total, the eastern wing of the building is 113’ from the
front of the nearest residence. The setback allows the building to take advantage of the
existing site topography, leaving the impression of a three-story building to someone on the
sidewalk of 42nd St. The overall height of the building is only 2’ taller than the nearby houses.
As noted above, the long façade facing 42nd St has been broken up substantially with projections to match
the visual elements of townhomes, such as those nearby. It was important to maximize the proposed
building’s yield on the eastern side of the site, since this is where there is the most space to accommodate a
double loaded corridor and improve the building’s efficiency based on all of the historic and tree
constraints noted above. Loading for deliveries and trash currently happens through the existing Livingston
St. curb cut. With the new building, all loading for the site will be relocated to the main entrance off
of Western Ave. The LSI building will shield the neighborhood from the loading and trash
resulting in a substantial decrease in neighborhood noise. The building design and site lay out have been
the subject of substantial review and comments during several public meetings held to present the project,
as is more fully described in the Community Engagement section, below:
Connectivity to Existing Facilities - The existing Lisner Home will provide a direct physical
connection to the LSI via the 1st floor and the Lisner and LSI management teams will work
closely together to determine the needs of each individual occupant of LSI for access to
amenities within the existing Lisner building, such as a hair salon, therapy services and
additional supportive programs. These services would be available to residents for an
additional cost, but the direct coordination by the included Resident Services program
(described fully below and in a separate narrative) and connectivity to the building and the
availability of care there will remove a substantial hurdle that many residents that will be
served by LSI may face.
Building Amenities - Common Area and In-Unit. The existing Lisner site is bucolic, with
well-maintained and substantial mature landscaping and green space. The LSI building will
integrate into the site, maximizing both the interior and exterior amenities.
Interior – Common Areas - The LSI Building is designed to include a substantial amount of
amenity space to support the services delivered at the building, including:
• Great Room with TV for entertainment and activities
• Lounge / Solarium with views to the interior courtyard
• Lobby entry space with desk
• Offices for property management staff
• Hobby / Game Room
• Computer Center
• Fitness Center
• Salon Space
• Lounge at elevators on each floor
Environmental Sustainability - As described under the Green Building section below, the building design
also employs a wide range of environmental sustainability features.
(G) A summary of the subcontracting plan required under section 2346 of the Small, Local, and
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005, as amended,
D.C. Official Code § 2-218.01 et seq. (“Act”), including a certification that the
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 subcontracting plan meets the minimum requirements of the Act and the dollar volume of
the portion of the contract to be subcontracted, expressed both in total dollars and as a
percentage of the total contract amount:
Not applicable.
(H) Performance standards and the expected outcome of the proposed amount:
The housing subsidy shall be used solely to support housing costs associated with the affordable
housing units at Lisner Senior Apartments located at 5455 Western Avenue, NW in support of the
District’s Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP). The project is consistent with the District’s
goal of increasing affordable housing, especially among low-to-moderate income residents and
preserving existing affordable housing opportunities in the District. Additionally, the Owner is
required to fulfill all conditions as set forth in the ALTSC Agreement within the agreed upon time
frames. Failure to fulfill the terms of the ALTSC Agreement will constitute default.
(I) The amount and date of any expenditure of fund by the District pursuant to the contract
prior to its submission to the Council for approval:
None.
(J) A certification that the proposed contract is within the appropriated budget authority for
the agency for the fiscal year and is consistent with the financial plan and budget adopted in
accordance with D.C. Official Code §§ 47-392.01 and 47-392.02:
CFO Certifications are attached.
(K) A certification that the contract is legally sufficient, including whether the proposed
contractor has any pending legal claims against the District:
Pending Litigation Certification and Legal Sufficiency Memo are attached.
(L) A certification that Citywide Clean Hands database indicates that the proposed contractor
is current with its District taxes. If the citywide clean hands Database indicates that the
proposed contractor is not current with District taxes, either: (1) a certification that the
contractor has worked out and is current with a payment schedule approved by the
District; or 92) a certification that the contractor will be current with its District taxes after
the District recovers any outstanding debt as provided under D.C. Official Code § 2-
353.01(b):
Clean Hands certification is attached
(M) A certification from the proposed contractor that it is current with its federal taxes, or has
worked out and is current with a payment schedule approved by the federal government:
Federal Tax Certification is attached.
(N) The status of the proposed contractor as a certified local, small, or disadvantaged business
enterprise as defined in the Small, Local, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Development and Assistance Act of 2005, as amended; D.C. Official Code 2-218.01 et seq.:
Lisner Senior Independent Owner LP is not certified as a local, small or disadvantaged business
enterprise.
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(O) Other aspects of the proposed contract that the Chief Procurement Officer considers
significant:
Not applicable.
(P) A statement indicating whether the proposed contractor is currently debarred from
providing services or goods to the District or federal government:
Included in the legal sufficiency memo, attached.
(Q) Any determination and findings issue relating to the contract’s formation, including any
determination and findings under D.C. Official Code § 2-352.05 (privatization contracts):
None.
(R) Where the contract, any amendments or modifications, if executed, will be made available
online:
The contract will be made available on the DCHA website.
(S) Where the original solicitation, and any amendment or modifications, will be made
available online:
Original solicitation was published 9/30/21 and extended through 2/15/22. See link:
http://dhcd.dc.gov/service/rfps-rfas-sfos. Please update this info with current dates
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 CERTIFICATIONS
In reliance upon the attached November 8, 2022 Funding Certification from the Office of Chief
Finance Officer of the District of Columbia and the November 8, 2022 Letter of Commitment
from the District of Columbia Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”) that DHCD has
sufficient appropriated funds in the financial plan for the District of Columbia’s Fiscal Year 2023
to fund, among other matters, the Local Rent Supplement payments in relation to the project
known as Lisner Senior Apartments located at 5545 Western Avenue NW, I hereby certify that
the proposed Agreement to Enter into a Long Term Subsidy Contract (“ALTSC”) between the
District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) and Lisner Senior Independent Owner LP to
provide an annual subsidy for fifty-two (52) affordable housing units, for a term of fifteen (15)
years, is in compliance with the applicable Federal and District of Columbia (the “District”)
Regulations and the DCHA’s policies and procedures.
__________________________________ _____________________________
Brenda Donald Date: June 22, 2023
Executive Director, DCHA
I have reviewed this proposed ALTSC action. I have determined, based upon the November 8,
2022 Funding Certification from the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the District and the
November 8, 2022 Letter of Commitment from DHCD, that upon the District’s release of the
Local Rent Subsidy funds and the satisfaction of all requirements of the Long Term Subsidy
Cont