Dear Friend,
The past few weeks have been traumatic for people across the country, particularly Black and Brown Americans who have been not only disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis but who have seen evidence, time and time again, of continued existence of racism and injustice in our nation.
It is no secret that the history of segregation, discrimination, and unequal access in housing is connected to both of these current crises. I invite you to revisit conversations the Alliance for Housing Solutions has had on the intersection of race and housing at our Leckey Forums in 2018 (the Legacy of Discrimination and Segregation in Arlington) and 2019 (Lessons for Arlington from Minneapolis).
I also invite you review the suggested reading list we’ve compiled with help from our coalition of friends and advocates. Educating ourselves about the truth of our past is an important first step toward action—and we will have to turn words into action to stop this pattern from repeating itself over and over again.
Thank you for joining with us in the important work of making Arlington a place where people of all walks of life are truly welcome and can afford to live.
Best regards,
Michelle McDonough Winters
Executive Director
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HOUSING & DISCRIMINATION READING LIST
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Many of us are taking some time to listen, read, and understand more about race, racism, and white privilege as we grapple with police brutality and much broader racial inequality that it relates to.
AHS has compiled a list of articles and books related to housing and discrimination to help understand the historical context of our current reality.
If you have additional recommendations or thoughts to share you can join the conversation on our online platform Housing Action Arlington.
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A RICH AND DYNAMIC COMMUNITY: ARLINGTON FOR EVERYONE
By Tarsi Dunlop
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In the past nine years, I’ve lived as a renter in three different apartment buildings, all within one-block of the same intersection in Pentagon City.
I was born in India in 1987 and was adopted when I was four months old. I grew up in rural Western Massachusetts on a small family farm, and went to school in Vermont so when I moved to the DC area in 2009, I was fairly new to city living and still had a bit of a preference for quieter neighborhoods.
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I believe that diversity—racial, cultural, socio-economic, and experiential—makes communities rich and dynamic.
I worry about displacement and long-time Arlingtonians being priced out and I worry about our low-income communities and communities of color being unable to afford rent or rising property taxes. I worry about young people being unable to start their lives and families here. I am fortunate to have gainful employment, but it is challenging to break the barriers into homeownership.
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UPCOMING (VIRTUAL) EVENTS
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Arlington for Everyone Listening Session
Thursday, June 18
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join us for a virtual happy hour designed to gather input and feedback about the future of the Arlington for Everyone campaign. This event is free; registration is required.
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Arlington County COVID-19 Response and Program Updates
Tuesday, June 23
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
This webinar will provide information about:
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Response to Housing Needs During the COVID-19 Crisis
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Housing Arlington Update on Initiatives and Work Plan Adjustments
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Development Project Updates
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Questions & Answers with County staff
All members of the community are invited to attend virtually and ask their questions.
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Mondays in June Town Hall Discussions
On Monday evenings throughout June 2020, George Mason's John Mitchell, Jr., Program is partnering with Busboys and Poets and the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project to host a series of free virtual town hall discussions with authors, activists, and academics on pressing issues at the intersection of race, peace, and justice.
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CHAMPION SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: AHC INC
Our Champion Level Partners in Affordable Housing give $10,000 or more per year. Thanks to AHC for being among our most dedicated supporters!
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AHC is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing in our region. Their residents include restaurant employees, construction workers, housekeepers, college grads, teachers, and retirees relying on social security. AHC also offers residents after school activities, tutoring, summer camps, and programs for adults and seniors.
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AHC’s newest redevelopment in Arlington features 256 apartments for households earning between 40 and 80 percent of Area Median Income ($50,400-$100,800 for a family of four), and is currently taking applications for units that will be available this year.
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GET INVOLVED
The Alliance for Housing Solutions has gone virtual, and you're invited to join us. We're using the platform Mobilize.io to organize groups and share information. You are welcome to join any of the following groups that spark your interest.
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Housing Action Arlington
Join this coalition to discuss policy updates, advocate for affordable housing resources, and coordinate across housing and service providers. AHS facilitates a monthly meeting (currently via Zoom) for providers and advocates. Join here.
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Missing Middle Network
Learn about and support efforts to allow more missing middle housing through zoning and land use policy reforms. Join here.
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Accessory Dwelling Discussion Group
Learn, discuss, and share efforts to create accessory dwellings through practical discussions, tips, and resources. Join here.
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Increasing the supply of affordable housing through education, policy, advocacy, and innovation.
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