ELLEN WILSON | WASHINGTON, DC

With an elegance that complements the historic architecture of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, this cooperative housing serving all races and incomes has received eight national awards for excellence. The Ellen Wilson neighborhood revitalization is nationally recognized as one of the most creative solutions to replacing abandoned, formally segregated public housing.

Built in 1941 and vacant since 1988, the Ellen Wilson Dwellings became a source of distress to the surrounding community. Community leaders from all walks of life including public housing residents, came together to form a Community Development Corporation (CDC) to redevelop this site with 147 homes reflecting the architecture of the Historic Capitol Hill neighborhood. The CDC selected Telesis as developer. Together with the CDC and architect Amy Weinstein, one of the most beautiful communities in the nation was planned and built, assisted by the award of a $25 million HOPE VI capital grant. Owned cooperatively by its residents, incomes range from extremely low to moderate and middle, including fee simple home owners.  A construction training and employment program for area residents was active throughout the demolition and building of the new neighborhood. A community center stands today in the heart of the neighborhood bringing residents and neighbors together.