Waterfront residents say housing development projects doing more harm than good

Waterfront residents Jenna O’Brien and Janice Anish love to spend time at the nearby Hain’s Point golf course, which serves as a place where the community can gather to take golf classes, bike and have picnics with families.  

However, they say it’s hard for them to enjoy a lovely day at the course when local parks in the area get turned into new housing apartments they can’t afford and take up areas where communities can gather.

“These are our neighborhood items,;they don’t know what they mean to us,” said O’Brien.  

On Sept. 30, 2026, Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed multiple housing projects across D.C. to drive economic opportunities. Bowser is pushing to create 682 housing units in the Waterfront with 30% of those to be affordable.  

In addition, developers such as the Ekin Yelemantub Associates that have previously built 7,000 houses in 50 different communities in the district.   

Nick Jesse, the vice president of development at EYA, presented at the last Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D meeting on Oct. 19 to show residents some of the developer’s proposals for the area. EYA wants to create 68 units in the community that will range from $1,500 to $3,000 per month for three-to-five bedrooms, Jesse added. 

The developer is scheduled to submit future designs later in the year.  

While developers work on creating more housing opportunities, residents are concerned housing will be expensive and that it is taking over existing community spaces. They say they are looking for the future mayor and local government to listen to their concerns. 

One long-term resident, Nadia Malik, said she wants the new mayor to focus more on what the residents need rather than development projects. She said she has seen many residents pushed out due to high apartment costs and wants the mayor to make the community livable for everyone.  

“Not only should housing be affordable, but public transportation should be more accessible and affordable,” she added.  

Another long-term resident, Lindsey Peters, shared the same concerns as Malik.  

Peters and her partner moved here six years ago and have noticed housing prices have increased. She said more investment groups come in to buy land and a monthly rent for an apartment is a crazy price.

“I hope that we can find a way to keep long-term or longstanding families in D.C.,” said Peters.  

Larissa Pas agreed with Malik, saying that she wants the new mayor to be more in tune with what the community needs. However, her focus is helping the Hispanic Community more. She added she would like to see more cultural events for the Hispanic community that can bring everyone together. 

As someone for whom English is not her first language, Pas said she wished that more libraries in the area such as the one next to Southwest Park would have classes they can take.  

Looking towards the future, Anish and O’Brien want the future mayor and local government to look at the community’s issues and advocate for what the residents want, rather than ignoring the problem.