NCBA Estates, also known as Samuel J. Simmons NCBA Estates, sits at 2801 14th Street, Washington, D.C., and has been serving seniors since 1977, with the building's big renovation finished in 2012 using low-income housing tax credits so the place feels sturdy and up to date, and the community is made for people age 62 and up or those 55 and older with disabilities including mobility, hearing, or visual needs, meaning you'll see wide halls, accessibility features, and helpful staff throughout, and the place runs as an independent, age-restricted building owned and managed by the NCBA Housing Management Corporation-NCBA HMC-which has been putting up senior housing for folks with little income thanks to HUD Section 202 funds, and you'll find 174 one-bedroom apartments with government-subsidized rent for those who qualify.
Residents can pay through private pay, social security, veteran's benefits, and commercial insurance, and there's a separate structure for care fees-meaning people might see a community fee, a respite fee, buy-in fee, plus extra charges for different levels of care if needs change, which keeps things clear about what's included and what's extra. Apartments have energy saver appliances, garbage disposals, individually controlled heating and air, smoke detectors, emergency pull cords, and a controlled-entry system for safety, plus you can use the two elevators, on-site laundry room, and the fitness center if you want to keep moving a little each day, and a multi-purpose room and 60-seat theater if you want to catch a movie or join group activities.
NCBA Estates has hospitality suites for family visits so guests feel welcome, and there's a focus on supporting health and independence, with meals served daily so folks don't have to cook, on top of activities planned to boost movement and social time, which can make life feel a little less lonely and a little more active. This building has a strong accessibility focus, offering help for people who use wheelchairs, have hearing or visual needs, or need ramps and other aids, and their staff work around the clock, able to help in emergencies or assist with moving between bed and wheelchair, so even if someone needs help with insulin or other health needs, the support's right there.
The community runs programs like Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) and SCSEP for older adults who want job training, and it brings health and wellness programs with resources on nutrition, screenings, and behavior change, even offering things like a Vaccine Toolkit to keep seniors better protected, while organizing events and webinars on heart health and similar topics. For applying, NCBA Estates uses a waiting list that sometimes opens for new one-bedroom units, with clear rules on submitting photo IDs, birth certificates, and medical proof, and the office can provide help if someone has trouble with English or disabilities, making the process less stressful despite being mostly in person-though mailing options exist and the staff notifies applicants if they forgot something.
With six locations across the U.S., NCBA Estates brings affordable, government-supported homes to over 500 low-income seniors, and the Washington, D.C. estate stands out for its large common areas and strong accessibility features, seeking to make sure all eligible seniors, no matter their background or level of need, feel safe, cared for, and have a fair shot at calling the place home.
