Email from Affordable Homes & Communities Allium Place Grand Opening, Real Estate Updates, & New Period Pantry July 2025 E-Newsletter Celebration Marks Opening of Allium Place On June 26, we celebrated the grand opening of Allium Place — a 195-home affordable community that stands as one of the largest new construction affordable housing developments in Montgomery County’s history. This milestone, made possible through a collaborative public-private partnership with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland and Montgomery County, transformed 6 acres of former County land into deeply affordable homes for renters and homeowners alike. “Allium Place is more than housing — it’s a foundation for opportunity,” Paul Bernard, AHC President & CEO, said. “By transforming public land into deeply affordable homes, we’re building economic infrastructure that supports families and strengthens Montgomery County’s future.” Read Full Story - See Video & Photos   REAL ESTATE RECAP AHC Invests in Team to Support Mission & Portfolio Expansion AHC is doubling down on its mission to create more affordable housing opportunities across the region. The organization is making strategic investments in its workforce, bringing on new talent to both develop additional communities and better serve existing residents. These strategic hires reflect AHC's thoughtful approach to growth — expanding capacity while maintaining quality. By investing in mission-driven professionals, the organization is positioning itself to create more affordable housing opportunities while ensuring existing communities continue to thrive. Learn More   Growing Team Expertise Congratulations to Brian and Marlon on AHC’s Construction team for earning their NSPIRE A.C.E. (Accredited Compliance Expert) certifications. This nationally recognized certification deepens their expertise in updated federal housing standards — including how to identify and address safety issues in homes, common areas, and building exteriors. We’re proud of their commitment to building quality homes and supporting the well-being of our communities.   Program Space Available AHC is looking for the right partner to rent available programming space at Gates of Ballston in Arlington, Virginia. The space is 8 feet by 10 feet. Gates of Ballston is a vibrant and diverse 17-acre garden-style community with 465 apartments. The retail space is available within the 10,000-square-foot community center that supports AHC’s award-winning Resident Services programs on site. Interested? Email Becky Koons to learn more.   NEWS NUGGETS New Period Pantry Opens at Gates of Ballston Last month, we opened a period pantry at Gates of Ballston, an AHC community in Arlington, with the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV). Stocked with free feminine hygiene products, the pantry provides residents with essential supplies at no cost. “Our mission at AHC is to keep residents at the heart of everything we do — and that means addressing real, everyday needs with dignity and compassion,” Melanie Ficke, Program Manager of Special Projects at AHC, said. Read Full Story ICYMI: AHC Student Wins Essay Contest In an essay for the Housing& (formerly HAND) Children’s Essay Contest, third grader Haset Zelalem responded to the prompt, “What’s the Recipe for a Strong Community?” by highlighting how neighbors at The Apex support one another and make each other feel at home. Her essay earned her first place in the contest — and a $500 prize. Read Full Story & Watch Video Opening Doors Through Generosity With support from the Arlington Community Foundation, more than 30 donors came together to lower the rent on one apartment from 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to 30% AMI. That change means a family of four earning $49,170 or less per year will be able to call an AHC community home and pay less than $1,000 a month in rent. When housing is affordable, families can focus on other aspects of their lives, leading to improved mental health and creating a platform for economic mobility. We're grateful for these donors' partnership and shared commitment to supporting our residents.   GET INVOLVED Backpacks, Barbecues, and Baskets AHC is hosting fun, community-building events all summer, and we need volunteer support. Tuesday, August 5, will be an especially busy night with National Night Out events at 5+ Arlington locations. Check out the online calendar for health & wellness events (July 22), backpack delivery (August 1), health fairs (August 16), and more. Email us with questions. If you can't volunteer on site, consider making a welcome basket for one of the 100 families moving into an AHC apartment next month. Donors Make a Difference Thanks to generous donors, we extended the hours of our learning-focused Summer Camp and opened the doors to more campers than ever before! Your support helps create fun and engaging activities for campers, including field trips and pool visits. Our Gear Up! Back-to-School Drive has kicked off to help nearly 2,000 kids growing up in AHC communities across the D.C. metro area. We’re thrilled that our friends John Andelin and Ginger Geoffrey are matching donations, up to $15,000, received by August 7. A $25 gift provides one child with a backpack stuffed with school supplies. Double your impact by giving to the Gear Up! Back-to-School Drive. AHC sincerely appreciates your support in providing these essential services to children in our communities!   Thank You to Our Corporate Partners Benefactor Builder Patron First Citizens Bank Klein Hornig LLP MainStreet Bank Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh   Are you part of a company that wants to make a difference? Our Corporate Partners provide funds that equip our residents with the tools they need to thrive! Please contact [email protected] to learn more!     703-486-0626 | 2230 N Fairfax Dr. Arlington, VA 22201 ahcommunities.org | DONATE NOW Jobs at AHC AHC | 2230 North Fairfax Drive Suite 100 | Arlington, VA 22201 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice