News
Check back here frequently for Saint Mary's Communities, Inc. news and events.
November 2025 -- Saint Mary's Communities, Inc. Names Affordable Housing Veteran Rosa Estrada as New Executive Director
Saint Mary's Communities, Inc. (SMCI), a leading provider of clean, safe, and affordable housing for seniors, today announced the appointment of Rosa Estrada as its new Executive Director. Ms. Estrada, an accomplished leader with over two decades of progressive experience in urban planning, placemaking, and mission-driven affordable housing development, will succeed retiring Executive Director John Spencer.
"I am honored to lead SMCI towards growth, innovation, and impact," said Ms. Estrada. "My journey, which began as a community organizer in Chicago and led to national policy work with HUD and executive positions across the housing sector, has prepared me for this new chapter. I look forward to working with our dedicated Board and property management team to build on the strong foundation established, creating stronger mission awareness, expanding our portfolio, and a brighter future for the seniors we serve."
Ms. Estrada's extensive background includes serving most recently as Regional Vice President of Development for the Mid-Atlantic Region and Puerto Rico for The Michaels Organization (TMO), where her areas of expertise included real estate finance and development, complex large multi-phase mixed-use developments, transit-oriented development, and partnership development.
Prior to TMO, she spent five years with local non-profit Wesley Housing, serving as Director of Real Estate Development, overseeing the development and closing of 350 units worth $133 million. As a private developer and consultant, Ms. Estrada has underwritten, financed, and/or developed properties in diverse geographic areas including Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Puerto Rico. She is known for her proficiency in using transformative tools like RAD, HOPE VI, NSP, Choice Neighborhoods, Mixed-Finance, LIHTC, NMTC, and AHP.
Her public service experience includes her role as the former Assistant Commissioner for Development for Baltimore Housing and as the former Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Housing Investments, where she was part of the groundbreaking team of professionals for HUD's HOPE VI program. Ms. Estrada graduated Magna Cum Laude from DePaul University and holds a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
The Saint Mary's Communities, Inc. Board of Directors is eager to leverage Ms. Estrada's extensive experience to further the organization's mission. "The Saint Mary's Board is very excited for Rosa to join the team as executive director. Rosa's extensive development experience will guide the organization as we seek to expand our impact by developing more high-quality, affordable housing," said Kevin B.W. White, Board President.
Saint Mary's Communities, Inc. (SMCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean, safe, and affordable housing for seniors in the greater community. Through dedicated service and long-term commitment, SMCI aims to create a supportive environment for its residents while strengthening its mission awareness and expanding its reach.
May 2025 -- We are pleased to announce that at the May 28th Frederick County (MD) Building Industry Association Awards of Excellence, Marywood Apartments / Miner Feinstein Architects were awarded Best Remodel / Renovation - Multifamily. The team of Miner Feinstein, Hamel Builders, and Quantum Real Estate Management worked together to bring the interior of this 1970s-era apartment community into the 21st century, with apartment units remodeled into an open concept with all new appliances and fixtures, and common areas re-imagined with furniture, colors, flooring and uses. To see the new look, go to the Gallery.
April 2025 -- Long-time SMCI board member Charles Wilson recently retired from the board after 10 years of service. Mr. Wilson, President of Virginia Capital Advisors, has been instrumental over the years in guiding SMCI's evaluation of financing strategies for its current property portfolio and new development projects. He has also served as Secretary / Treasurer of our organization during his tenure as board member. We thank him for his service and wish him the best for the future.
November 2024 -- The completion of substantial interior renovations at Marywood Apartments was celebrated on November 14 with a brief ceremony followed by a ribbon-cutting. During the event, the updated community room was dedicated in honor of Cecelia McAfee, mother of long-time SMCI board member and President Reverend Franklyn McAfee. The approximate $9 million, 15 month renovation was funded by a FHA loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Thanks to Hamel Builders, AGM Financial, and Quantum Real Estate Management for their sponsorship of the event and their assistance throughout the entire renovation process, and HUD for their funding of the work. For a before and after presentation of the improvements at Marywood, please click here.
October 2024 -- Renovation work is wrapping up at Marywood Apartments and a completion celebration is planned for November! Photos of completed one bedroom unit are show below.
July 2024 -- Renovation work is nearing completion on the unit interiors at Marywood Apartments. Our fourth and final phase of apartments will be completed by the end of August, leaving the completion of the common areas on the first floor and minor exterior work remaining. All renovation work should be completed by the end of October as currently scheduled.
May 2024 -- Evergreen House staff welcomed its brand new bus for resident transportation needs in early May. The 14-person bus will be available to transport residents for local services and activities. The current Evergreen House bus will be repainted and transferred to Marywood Apartments, upgrading the current bus in use at that property.
April 2024 -- Renovations at Marywood Apartments continue on schedule. All units on the fourth floor were completed in March and all third floor units are nearing completion. The scope of work includes new kitchen cabinets, all new appliances, and a new passthrough countertop with possible seating. Improvements also include new bathroom fixtures and flooring throughout.
January 2024 - Saint Mary's Communities, Inc. ("SMCI") is launched! SMCI will serve as the 501(c)(3) non-profit parent entity for our current portfolio of five affordable communities for low- and moderate-income seniors in Northern Virginia, and as the developer of new affordable housing communities throughout the region.
December 2023 -- Preliminary rehab work to replace some plumbing valves and upgrade electrical panels was completed during Fall 2023. Unit and common area updates will begin in January 2024, in phases beginning with the fourth floor. With a few exceptions, this will be fully a resident-in-place renovation, where residents will be out of their units during daytime work hours until their units are completed.
August 2023 -- On August 23rd, Marywood Apartments closed on a $15M loan to refinance and substantially renovate the 129-unit property. All units will have renovated kitchens and bathrooms, all new appliances and fixtures, as well as a newly created open concept kitchen / living room. Common areas from this 1970s-vintage community will be similarly updated. Saint Mary's Housing Corporation appreciates all who made this closing happen: AGM Financial Services, Furey Doolan & Abell LLP, Hamel Builders, J Square Permit Services, Klein Hornig LLP, Miner Feinstein Architects, Prince William County, Quantum Real Estate Management, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. Renovations will begin this fall and be completed by the end of 2024. For an article on the closing, please click here.
