The Sweeney, a 432-unit affordable apartment project supported by Amazon’s Affordable Housing Fund has broken ground. The project site is located in the heart of Crystal City/National Landing, Arlington, Virginia. The development is the result of a unique collaboration between Amazon, Arlington County, True Ground Housing Partners, and EYA.
The building, formerly known as Crystal House 3, has been renamed The Sweeney in honor of Jean and Jack Sweeney, two of the eight founders of True Ground Housing Partners.
A Landmark Public-Private Partnership
In 2020, the Washington Housing Conservancy acquired the Crystal House complex with financing from Amazon’s Housing Fund. Amazon later donated the development rights to Arlington County for affordable housing.
Carmen Romero, President and CEO of True Ground Housing Partners, noted:
“The Sweeney represents a unique opportunity to add much-needed affordable housing in one of Northern Virginia’s most dynamic markets… This once-in-a-generation public-private partnership will bring economic diversity and affordability in this amenity-rich neighborhood.”
Leadership Voices on Affordability
Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis called the project a demonstration of “value-driven and solutions-focused partnerships” to meet Arlington’s generational housing challenge.
Senthil Sankaran, Managing Principal of Amazon’s Housing Fund, emphasized that the donation of development rights envisioned exactly this type of collaborative outcome:
“432 affordable homes that will allow families of all income levels to live near job centers, transit, and essential services.”
Financial and Strategic Backing
The Sweeney is backed by a broad coalition of funders and partners, including Arlington County, Amazon, National Equity Fund, Capital One, Virginia Housing, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, CBG Building Group, KGD Architecture, and KCM.
Capital One, which has invested more than $900 million in affordable housing across Northern Virginia over the past five years, is a key financial partner. Virginia Housing Chief of Programs Monique Johnson applauded the project’s collaborative spirit and its role in addressing the region’s housing shortage.
A $230 Million Affordable Housing Initiative
The $99 million bond allocation from the Governor and Local Housing Authority pools was leveraged with public and private funds to reach a total budget of $230 million.
Funding sources include:
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$50M+ Arlington County Affordable Housing Investment Fund loans
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$90M Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity from National Equity Fund
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$130M construction lending from Capital One
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$10M Virginia DHCD loans
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$1M Federal Home Loan Bank
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$57M Virginia Housing permanent loan commitments
Future Phases of the Crystal House Community
The Sweeney is the first phase of a larger, multi-phase redevelopment of the Crystal House community. Future phases will include:
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Affordable senior housing
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Market-rate rental units
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Two new parks
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Homeownership opportunities from EYA
The Sweeney will also feature family-focused amenity spaces such as informal gathering areas and multipurpose rooms for social, wellness, and resident service programming.
Economic Impact and Construction Timeline
The project is expected to employ approximately 700 workers during construction, supporting Virginia’s construction economy through contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and related professionals. Early construction began after the August 2025 financial closing, with delivery expected in early 2027.
Factsheet: The Sweeney Affordable Housing Project
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Location: Crystal City/National Landing, Arlington County, Virginia
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Developer: True Ground Housing Partners
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Project partners: Amazon, Arlington County, EYA, National Equity Fund, Capital One, Virginia Housing, Virginia DHCD, CBG Building Group, KGD Architecture, KCM
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Units: 432 affordable apartment homes
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Total budget: $230 million
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Key funding highlights: $50M+ Arlington AHIF loans; $90M LIHTC equity; $130M Capital One construction loan; $10M Virginia DHCD loans; $1M Federal Home Loan Bank; $57M Virginia Housing permanent loans
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Phase: First phase of multi-phase Crystal House community
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Future plans: Affordable senior housing, market-rate units, two parks, and homeownership opportunities
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Construction workforce: Estimated 700 workers
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Completion: Early 2027
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Named for: Jean and Jack Sweeney, founders of True Ground Housing Partners
