Matthews Memorial Terrace

Pros

• The management team is described as responsive and professional, handling maintenance requests quickly and efficiently.
• The building is described as clean, quiet, and well-maintained with secure entry and well-lit common areas.
• The apartment is described as spacious and modern, with updated appliances, abundant natural light, and a comfortable layout.
• The in-unit washer/dryer and ample storage space are appreciated by residents.
• The neighbors are described as friendly and respectful, contributing to a positive atmosphere.
• The location is praised for proximity to restaurants, parks, and public transportation, making daily errands convenient.

Cons

• The complex has only one functioning elevator and no working security cameras.
• The garage security is poor, and cars have been broken into multiple times.
• Residents say they were wrongly accused of not paying June rent years ago despite never being late.
• A resident endures repeated flooding from the unit above, with a week-long kitchen leak and unaddressed maintenance.
• The property is described as a shelter, with ongoing water damage and only one maintenance worker, leading to undervalued staff.
• A long-term resident says the building has deteriorated: broken trash rooms, rats in the garage, and cars damaged by rodents, forcing many to park outside.
• The building has roaches, urine on the working elevator, and inconsistent management that makes tenants chase for service, with some tickets closed unfinished.
• A reviewer notes management changes three times in two years, money orders lost, and cracks in apartments with hallways full of people smoking weed.
• A reviewer calls Matthews Memorial Terrace horrible and would not recommend it.

Review

Matthews Memorial Terrace presents a strikingly uneven picture, with residents alternately praising and lamenting the same property in ways that feel almost incongruent. On one end, long-time tenants recall a building that used to feel like a stable, comfortable home, complete with secure entry and well-maintained interiors. On the other, many current and former residents describe a rapid decline: persistent maintenance failures, safety and sanitation problems, and a management culture that frequently feels inaccessible or overwhelmed. The spectrum of experiences runs from surprisingly positive to brutally critical, often within the same corners of the building.

A common thread among the most distressed residents is a sense that basic systems and safety features have deteriorated markedly. Several tenants report that the building's infrastructure has become unreliable or unsafe: only one elevator remains working while another has been out of service for years; cameras that once offered reassurance no longer function; the garage, touted as a safe parking option, has seen repeated car break-ins and security concerns that leave residents uneasy about leaving vehicles insured and protected. One resident even describes being accused of not paying rent years ago - an accusation that is false, according to their records, yet it illustrates what many see as a pattern of miscommunication or misplaced blame from the office.

Water intrusion and mold-like damage loom large in several accounts. A long-tenured resident describes neighborly disputes escalated into multiple flood events, with upstairs units overflowing and a kitchen ceiling repeatedly ruined by water leaks. In this narrative, emergency services were contacted multiple times, and despite appeals for timely intervention, maintenance response remained sluggish. The situation worsened to the point where buckets and trash cans became part of the living room rhythm, turning a home environment into a constant stopgap while residents waited for repairs that felt endlessly delayed. The sense of being ignored or stalled by management compounds the frustration, especially for households with young families or disability considerations who most need reliable fixes.

Not all voices are uniform in their judgment, however. A recent resident's reflection offers a bright contrast: after two months, the experience has been positive. They describe a management team that is responsive and professional, with quick maintenance responses, a clean and quiet building, secure entry, well-lit common areas, and an in-unit washer/dryer with ample storage. They highlight a convenient location near restaurants, parks, and public transportation, which makes daily life easier and more comfortable. In this view, Mr. Cain and Ms. Hendricks are singled out as courteous and patient, contributing to a sense of a well-run property - at least for them.

Yet even within that favorable snapshot, there are cautious notes about the organization and staffing. Several residents reference a sense that staff are undervalued or stretched thin, with only one maintenance worker visible at times and a perceived lack of consistency as the office changes hands. Some describe a "shelter" atmosphere or a feeling that the directors are aware of the property's long-standing problems but have not fully resolved them. Water damage continues to appear in various units, and the impression is that maintenance responsiveness can vary widely - from timely to insufficient - depending on who is handling the ticket and when.

Compounding the tension are issues around pests and sanitation. One resident paints a bleak picture of roaches and mice proliferating after years of occupancy, with a history of roach problems that never seem fully resolved. There are also reports of rats in the garage area, even affecting vehicles and posting safety concerns about parking inside the building's environs. The trash process is described as inconsistent or unreliable, with broken trash rooms and fecund conditions that residents associate with broader maintenance and cleanliness problems. The resulting fear and inconvenience drive many to seek alternatives, including the possibility of moving elsewhere.

As if the practical challenges weren't enough, there are also unmistakable notes of frustration about administrative processes. Several residents recount episodes of lost or mismanaged money orders, unanswered calls, and staff turnover that leaves new management unfamiliar with ongoing issues. The building's cracks, shifting structure, and visible wear point to aging infrastructure that demands more proactive investment and attention. Some residents specifically call out the need for accessible housing options, voicing a desire for a three-bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartment, underscoring how the property's current configuration may not meet the needs of all potential tenants or long-term residents.

Taken together, the reviews present a complex portrait of Matthews Memorial Terrace. There are bright spots - moments when the community feels responsive, clean, and secure, and when residents experience genuine relief from a timely maintenance response. There are also persistent, sometimes escalating, concerns about safety, water damage, pest control, elevator reliability, and the consistency of management. The result is a building that serves some tenants well but remains a source of ongoing distress for others, with the divide often centered on maintenance responsiveness, infrastructure reliability, and the effectiveness of on-site leadership in coordinating repairs, security, and everyday operations.

This part of Washington, DC offers a convenient and vibrant urban lifestyle with a variety of amenities nearby. Located within close proximity to hospitals, pharmacies, and physicians, residents can easily access healthcare services. The neighborhood also boasts a range of dining options such as seafood restaurants, beer gardens, and cafes for socializing and enjoying delicious meals. For relaxation and recreation, there are numerous parks including waterfront areas, perfect for leisurely strolls or picnics. Additionally, the area is well-connected with public transportation options like metro stations and is just a short distance from the airport for easy travel. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of urban conveniences and green spaces for seniors looking to lead an active and engaging lifestyle in Washington, DC.

Hospitals

• St Elizabeths Hospital (0.7 miles)

Restaurants

• The Salt Line (1.1 miles)
• Dacha Beer Garden (1.1 miles)
• Bluejacket (1.3 miles)
• The Bullpen (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• Call Your Mother (1.6 miles)
• Trusty's (1.7 miles)

Parks

• The Yards Park (1.2 miles)
• L'Enfant Square (1.7 miles)
• Southwest Duck Pond (2 miles)
• Lincoln Park (2.3 miles)
• East Potomac Park (2.4 miles)
• Gravelly Point Park (2.4 miles)
• Capitol Reflecting Pool (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Philz Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Slipstream (1.6 miles)
• Wine & Butter Cafe & Market (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• A Baked Joint (3.3 miles)
• Dolcezza (3.3 miles)
• L Street Coffee (3.6 miles)

Transportation

• Potomac Avenue Metro Station (1.7 miles)
• Eastern Market Metro Station (1.9 miles)
• Capitol South Metro Station (2 miles)
• Stadium-Armory Metro Station (2.3 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (2.5 miles)
• Terminal 2 (2.6 miles)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Grubb's Pharmacy Of D.C. (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Peter's School on Capitol Hill (1.8 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church on Capitol Hill (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (2.6 miles)
• One Medical (2.9 miles)
• The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics (4.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Gallery Place & 4DX (3.2 miles)