Congrats to your SO - Howard is an excellent school!

Obviously Shaw would be a easy neighborhood for you all, but it's hard for someone who owns a car. Even regular street parking is tight.

Park View is a really cool neighborhood behind Howard, but again, parking is tight. Bloomingdale could be a good option, but also - street parking.

I think you could find what you need in NE DC. Check out Brookland, Stronghold, Eckington and Edgewood. All close to Howard but they have a little more room for a parked car.