Dear Friend,
As Arlington braces for COVID-19 I am struck by what a tremendous community we are part of. Our local safety net is working hard to provide help to our lowest-income neighbors, many of whom are experiencing a loss of wages and great uncertainty about the future.
We applaud our many partners who are on the ground providing direct services and hope you will find ways to support them if you are able.
I wanted to share with you a few updates related to housing and COVID-19. The information in this newsletter is in no way comprehensive, and we know that things continue to evolve hour by hour. We will continue to monitor housing news and updates as they relate to our current emergency. If you are not yet following us on social media please take a moment do so as we will be sharing relevant updates there as well.
Thank you for being part of the AHS community.
Gratefully yours,
Michelle McDonough Winters
Executive Director
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VIRGINIA SUSPENDS EVICTION CASES; UTILITY DISCONNECTIONS
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On Tuesday, March 17, Virginia's Supreme Court declared a judicial emergency and suspended all new eviction cases for 21 days.
In addition, State Corporation Commission ordered a halt on disconnections by regulated utilities for 60 days during the state of emergency.
Read the press release.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP OR GET HELP
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Volunteer Arlington's COVID-19 Care for Community page with information on donations and other needs of community nonprofits.
Arlington Community Foundation's Prompt Response Fund is accepting donations and providing emergency grants to nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors.
Crisis Assistance for help with rent/mortgage, utilities, medical and other expenses is available from Arlington County’s Department of Human Services.
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ARLINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT
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Comprehensive list of Department, Service and Meeting Changes. As of now, this weekend’s County Board meeting is on as scheduled, as are the two Community Input Sessions for the FY21 budget on 3/31 and 4/2. We await details on whether these budget meetings will move forward as scheduled and if and how they will be accepting any virtual/video community input.
County Board Letter to Multifamily Landlords: Click here for the PDF
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HUD and Federal Housing Administration Coronavirus resources, including a 60-day moratorium on foreclosure and eviction.
ACTION Campaign recommends updates to assist with impact on LIHTC developments including expenditure and placed in service deadlines.
National Housing Conference's Coronavirus Resource Page for individual owners and renters as well as property managers.
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EVENT UPDATES AND ADDITIONS RELATED TO COVID-19
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NEW
NLIHC is hosting a national call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing
Monday, March 23
2:30 p.m. Register here
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NEW
Urban Land Institute is hosting a webinar titled Public Health and Real Estate: The Role of Buildings in Preventing the Spread of COVID-19.
Tuesday, March 24
1 p.m.
Registration is complimentary and open to all.
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RESCHEDULED
June 27: FREE Accessory Dwelling Workshop
3-4 p.m.
Kenmore Middle School
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POSTPONED
Leckey Forum
New date and time TBD
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CONTINUED ADVOCACY FOR AHIF
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Arlington County's budget process is up in the air (read the March 19 article in ARLnow), but we do know they need to pass a budget by July.
Our current emergency shows just how vulnerable our lowest-income neighbors truly are.
Join us in asking the County to plan ahead for the future of affordable housing by allocating $25 million to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund.
This revolving, low-interest fund has helped develop and preserve more than 7,500 affordable homes in our community.
We continue to need additional housing for our teachers, health care workers, people who work in food service and hospitality, and those who provide child care.
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Increasing the supply of affordable housing through education, policy, advocacy, and innovation.
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