Sursum Corda Cooperative, Housing cooperative neighborhood in Washington D.C., United States.
Sursum Corda is a housing cooperative neighborhood in Washington, D.C., featuring low-rise residential buildings arranged to create open spaces between structures for direct community interaction. These shared areas include courtyards and pathways that connect the units and support everyday neighboring.
The neighborhood was founded in 1968 by Catholic activists from Gonzaga College High School and St. Aloysius parish, with support from Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The project emerged from a broader movement for affordable housing and community development in Washington, D.C.
The name Sursum Corda means "Lift Up Your Hearts" and comes from the founding principles of community support and mutual aid that still guide the neighborhood today. Visitors can feel this spirit in how residents actively use and maintain the shared spaces between buildings.
Residents pay rent based on a percentage of income, keeping housing costs affordable while allowing participation in cooperative governance and decision-making. This income-based model ensures that the neighborhood remains accessible to households with varying financial circumstances.
The neighborhood contains roughly 200 residential units deliberately positioned between Northeast and Northwest Washington, surrounded by major avenues and streets. This strategic location allows the community to maintain a distinct character with its own gathering spaces despite being embedded in an urban environment.
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