WMATA, Amazon to create affordable housing near D.C. Metrorail stations

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Amazon have announced a plan to create more than 1,000 new affordable housing units at Metro stations throughout the Washington, D.C., region. 

Amazon is committing $125 million in below-market capital to expedite development of affordable homes over the next five years so that moderate- to low-income families in the National Capital region can afford to live in communities with easy access to employment, schools, health care, education and other amenities, according to a WMATA news release.

The investment is part of Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, a more than $2 billion commitment to preserve and create more than 20,000 affordable homes through below-market loans and grants to housing partners, traditional and non-traditional public agencies and minority-led organizations. 

"Transit-oriented development has a proud legacy at [WMATA], and with this investment from Amazon we can continue to help the region tackle the challenges of housing affordability, congestion and sustainability," said WMATA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul Wiedefeld. "Having a philanthropic partner in this effort, along with the support of the public and private sectors, puts the region on the best path possible to meeting our shared housing, transit, equity, and economic prosperity goals."