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As Washington, D.C. continues to undergo a boom in construction, population and niche bars, the cost of buying a home continues to rise as well, reaching the point where some D.C. residents are priced out of their old neighborhoods.

The Housing Advocacy Team for Manna, a non-profit that helps low- and moderate-income people purchase homes, has launched the East of the River Homeownership Campaign to provide resources to residents of Wards 7 and 8 so they can buy a house in their community before it’s too late.

A 15-page plan lays out the reasons why those who live east of the Anacostia River should buy homes now.

We’ve seen great change and energy in revitalized communities like Columbia Heights, Shaw, H Street Corridor and others with the reintroduction of retail
shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and housing. But many of our long-term and lower income neighbors who endured in those communities during challenging times can no longer afford to remain because of the higher rents and property values. We do not want the same trend of displacement to take place in Southeast.

Stated goals of the campaign include building two homeownership resource centers:

Virtual housing inventory database and online support

2 physical homeownership resource centers, one in Ward 7 and 8, that will effectively
screen and refer potential buyers

Ongoing support to residents through existing housing counseling agencies, tenant
organizing agencies, realtors, and mortgage lenders

High-quality training and programs through a Homebuyer Club designed specifically
for purchases East of the River

Homebuyer fairs and events

One-on-one counseling and technical assistance

Quality financial data and services that enable more qualified, low-income buyers to
purchase East of the River

Partnerships with public and private groups

The campaign is in the early stages, with the group gathering community support so they can approach the city, according to Sarah Scruggs, director of advocacy and outreach for Manna.

Scruggs said the idea for the project started back in late 2011 when the group saw the millions of dollars worth of development slated to happen in Wards 7 and 8, as well as low mortgage rates.

The 32-year-old organization also noted that these Wards were likely to be the next to undergo “gentrification,” Scruggs said. “We wanted to be on the beginning of that to give people opportunities to become educated,” she said. “For those who are ready to become homeowners, this is an opportunity for them to have a stake where they live now, so they can benefit from the development that comes and have a home to pass on to their kids.”

Scruggs also said there’s a number of already existing resources in place, there just needs to be a place where they can work together.

Manna has already connected with to Councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and David Grosso (I-At Large), who have signed on to the plan. Scruggs said reaction from organizations and people the plan has been taken to, including the Department of Housing and Community Development and members of Mayor Vince Gray’s budget office, has been positive.

“Everybody loves the idea. It’s just getting them to focus on it,” she said. “There’s a million things happening in the city. For us, it’s really a sense of urgency getting them to focus on. To give people an opportunity while the opportunity still exists.”

That’s why the group has launched the website, which is currently seeking signatures in support of the campaign. Thirty people have signed on since September 11, and Scruggs said they are looking to get at least 250 signatures.