The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) has selected Lewinsville Center as the 2019 Award of Excellence recipient. Located in McLean, Virginia, the Lewinsville Center project included the redevelopment of the 8.66-acre site of the original Lewinsville Elementary School (established in 1961). The school building had previously been renovated to serve as the location for  a senior center, adult day health care center, two childcare centers and included 22 units of affordable senior housing.

The Lewinsville Center project is a shining example of affordable housing preservation and the innovative revitalization of aging infrastructure in Fairfax County. Lewinsville Center nearly quadrupled the affordable independent-living units available onsite—from 22 to 82—to individuals 62 years of age and older earning between 30 percent and 50 percent of the area median income. The senior housing development—known as “The Fallstead”—was developed by Wesley Housing, which owns and operates the housing with a long-term ground lease. In addition, the state-of-the art intergenerational public facility features a new home for the Lewinsville Senior Center, Adult Day Health Care, and two private child day care centers. 

The project was a great example of public/private partnership with several Fairfax County Government agencies, a non-profit housing developer, several community-based partners and non-profits as no interruptions in service (for adult day healthcare, senior center and childcare centers) were experienced during the redevelopment project.

About NACCED:  NACCED is a national non-profit organization composed of county government agencies that administer community and economic development and affordable housing programs. NACCED recognizes the many achievements of counties through the annual Awards of Excellence.