This is an affordable shared-equity homeownership opportunity. Affordability covenants and household income limits of 30–80% of Median Family Income (MFI) apply. Habitat states that this home accommodates up to five people. Purchaser qualifications First-time homebuyer: no real estate ownership within the past three years. Primary residency or at least one applicant with full-time employment in DC, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Fairfax County, or Arlington County for at least the past 12 months. Meet at least one housing-need requirement: unsafe surroundings, temporary or subsidized housing, housing voucher participation, overcrowding, rent exceeding 30% of monthly income, or heating, electrical, plumbing, or structural deficiencies. Ability to pay Wage or salary income: two-year work history, including at least six months with the current employer; employment gaps must be explained. Self-employed applicants need two years of documented stable income and the last six months in the same line of work. Income reasonably expected to continue for at least three years. Credit reports free of unpaid collections, judgments, and liens; no bankruptcy in the past three years or foreclosure in the past seven years. Tri-Merge middle credit score of at least 620 and qualification for non-subprime or approved alternative third-party financing. Total debt-to-income ratio, including the new housing cost, below 43%. At least $2,000 shown in current bank statements, no account overdrafts in the past two months, and assets not exceeding 10% of fair market value. Willingness to partner Homebuyers complete 50–100 partnership hours, including homebuyer education, financial education, and community service. Shared-equity resale terms allow homeowners to build equity while keeping the home affordable for the next buyer. Household income limits Habitat publishes the following program income limits. This home accommodates up to five people; the six- and seven-person rows are included from Habitat’s general table for completeness. Habitat DC-NOVA income limits, checked September 28, 2026 Household size Minimum (30% MFI) Maximum (80% MFI) 1 $34,900 $93,016 2 $39,800 $106,304 3 $44,840 $119,592 4 $49,800 $132,880 5 $53,850 $143,510 6 $57,850 $154,141 7 $61,750 $164,771 Income limits may change. Confirm current limits and eligibility with Habitat using the linked program requirements. Habitat determines program eligibility. Habitat states that it does not maintain a waiting list and that approvals depend on the availability of developed properties. See its property page for its full fair-housing statement and program requirements.

2803 Knox Street SE, Washington, DC 20020

Coming Soon — Not currently accepting applications

3 Bedrooms

3.5 Bathrooms

1,550 Square Feet

Property Information

This refurbished three-story townhome in Buena Vista offers 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and approximately 1,550 square feet, with space for up to five people.

The home includes a private garage, parking pad, private deck, and enclosed backyard.

Habitat DC-NOVA and Douglass CLT offer this home through shared-equity land trust ownership. You own the home, while Douglass CLT owns the land. This helps lower the purchase price and keeps the home affordable for future buyers while allowing you to build equity. Income limits and first-time homebuyer requirements apply.

FAQs

Who Can Qualify

This is an affordable shared-equity homeownership opportunity. Affordability covenants and household income limits of 30–80% of Median Family Income (MFI) apply. Habitat states that this home accommodates up to five people.

Purchaser qualifications

First-time homebuyer: no real estate ownership within the past three years.
Primary residency or at least one applicant with full-time employment in DC, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Fairfax County, or Arlington County for at least the past 12 months.
Meet at least one housing-need requirement: unsafe surroundings, temporary or subsidized housing, housing voucher participation, overcrowding, rent exceeding 30% of monthly income, or heating, electrical, plumbing, or structural deficiencies.

Ability to pay

Wage or salary income: two-year work history, including at least six months with the current employer; employment gaps must be explained. Self-employed applicants need two years of documented stable income and the last six months in the same line of work.
Income reasonably expected to continue for at least three years.
Credit reports free of unpaid collections, judgments, and liens; no bankruptcy in the past three years or foreclosure in the past seven years.
Tri-Merge middle credit score of at least 620 and qualification for non-subprime or approved alternative third-party financing.
Total debt-to-income ratio, including the new housing cost, below 43%.
At least $2,000 shown in current bank statements, no account overdrafts in the past two months, and assets not exceeding 10% of fair market value.

Willingness to partner

Homebuyers complete 50–100 partnership hours, including homebuyer education, financial education, and community service. Shared-equity resale terms allow homeowners to build equity while keeping the home affordable for the next buyer.

Household income limits

Habitat publishes the following program income limits. This home accommodates up to five people; the six- and seven-person rows are included from Habitat’s general table for completeness.

Habitat DC-NOVA income limits, checked September 28, 2026
Household size	Minimum (30% MFI)	Maximum (80% MFI)
1	$34,900	$93,016
2	$39,800	$106,304
3	$44,840	$119,592
4	$49,800	$132,880
5	$53,850	$143,510
6	$57,850	$154,141
7	$61,750	$164,771

Income limits may change. Confirm current limits and eligibility with Habitat using the linked program requirements. Habitat determines program eligibility.

Habitat states that it does not maintain a waiting list and that approvals depend on the availability of developed properties. See its property page for its full fair-housing statement and program requirements.

How to Apply

Coming Soon — Not currently accepting applications.

Complete the Douglass CLT housing interest form to receive updates about future housing opportunities. This is an interest form, not an application for this home.

Learn about Habitat’s program at an in-person or online information session. Check the Habitat Knox Street page for availability updates.

For property questions, contact Eli Echavarria at eli.echavarria@habitatdcnova.org and reference Knox Street.

Visits and future open houses

This is an active construction site. Habitat does not allow anyone under 16 to enter the homes. Confirm any visit or open-house arrangements with Habitat before attending.

If Habitat offers lender pre-approval at a future open house and you wish to participate, its suggested documents are ID, your last two paystubs, the last two years of W-2 forms and federal tax returns, and last month’s bank statements. Check Habitat’s property page for current event details.

What Is a Pay It Forward Home?

A home that will always be able to be affordable to families at or below 80% of the median family income because it is part of the Douglass Community Land Trust!

The previous owners paid it forward by selling their home at a much-reduced price and leaving several hundred thousand dollars in equity to stay with the home forever. This equity left in the home will be safeguarded by Douglass CLT, which has added even more subsidy to it so that a family at or below 80% MFI will always be able to afford it.

Subsidy initially invested in CLT properties is retained over time, serving generations of homeowners and occupants without requiring increasing subsidies at each successive sale to keep them affordable.

Douglass CLT will keep ownership of the land and sell only the building to the new buyer, issuing a 99-year land lease to the homeowner. That lease contains a resale agreement that says that if/ when they sell their home, the owner will sell at a price affordable to a family at or below 80% MFI.

If I own a CLT house, can my equity in the house grow?

Yes! First and most importantly, the home purchase should work so that you aren’t paying more too much for housing every month and you are able to save as you see fit.

Second, a Douglass CLT household’s wealth building is no different than other homeowners in that you can build equity by 1)paying down your mortgage loan; 2)getting a tax deduction for the mortgage interest; and 3)benefiting from market appreciation. The difference is that Douglass CLT Pay It Forward homeowners share with the next owner a portion of the increase in home value due to market appreciation. Additionally, owners can get credit for pre-approved physical improvements when they sell. Investment in real estate is never without risk, as no one can predict what will happen in the market, but Douglass CLT also includes safeguards against the worst outcomes if your family hits a rough patch.

Our Resale Formula allows for growth in equity without allowing home price to balloon, making the home affordable for the next purchaser – Paying It Forward!

Refurbished three-story townhome in Buena Vista with a private garage, parking pad, private deck, and enclosed backyard. Habitat DC-NOVA and Douglass CLT partner to keep the home permanently affordable through shared-equity land trust ownership.

Registration notice: Habitat states that the Knox Street townhome has not been registered by the Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Regulation Administration Rental Conversion and Sale Division. A nonbinding reservation agreement may be made, but no sale or lease contract binding on the purchaser may be entered into before registration.

Contact:

Eli Echavarria
Family Services Coordinator, Habitat DC-NOVA
eli.echavarria@habitatdcnova.org