News from AHC Inc. l July 2020

The pandemic is disproportionately affecting low-income families like our residents. Thanks to a strong Resident Services team and generous community support, many of our tenants are receiving critical aid that is keeping them afloat.

To date, our Resident Services professionals have helped approximately 55% (2,500 households) of our residents navigate services such as rental assistance, utility assistance, benefits applications, SNAP, unemployment, food assistance and more. Our 20-member team works one-on-one with residents to help them identify and access the services they need. This personalized approach is integral to keeping our families stable and housed during this challenging time.

With food a primary concern, the outpouring of care from local communities and organizations has been inspiring. Each week, groups deliver thousands of meals to our residents - particularly our seniors. Area food banks have stepped up deliveries to meet the increased need. And innovative programs like "Buy a Lunch for a Neighbor" through Volunteer Arlington and partnerships with farmers markets with the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization are providing much-needed fresh food to residents.

We are also grateful for the strong support we are receiving from the jurisdictions we serve, including Arlington County, Alexandria, Montgomery County, and Baltimore City. Along with rental assistance, several local governments are also providing face masks and other services to our residents.

Shout out to some organizations that have responded to the COVID-19 crisis with extraordinarily generous support, including NeighborWorks, the Arlington Community Foundation, Virginia Housing, the Weinberg Foundation, and the Clayton Baker Foundation.

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Capital One and Comcast to provide free, high-speed internet access to low-income families who live in affordable housing communities! The initiative leverages Comcast's Internet Essentials program, which offers low-cost internet service at $9.95 a month. Thanks to a grant from Capital One, households that qualify for Internet Essentials will receive free internet service for 14-months. Capital One also donated new Chromebooks to participating residents.

The program rolled out at St. James Plaza in Alexandria. Residents are thrilled to have accessible, stable internet service - a lifesaver for those impacted by the digital divide. Accessing school and paying bills online are the most popular ways residents report using the service. And, staying in touch with friends and loved ones - also critical during these challenging times.

The Spire, AHC's newest affordable apartment community, is taking shape along North Beauregard Street in Alexandria. The project will welcome 113 families in 2021. AHC's partner, the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (ECR), is building a new worship and programming space on the site (smaller building to the right).

The homes will include a mix of efficiencies, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Rents will range from 40 to 60% of the Area Median Income.

The building will include such features as a landscaped terrace for residents, a community room, and underground parking.

Summer Camp is in full swing and it's been GREAT! Our team has been blown away by how engaged the students are and how motivated they have been to participate in the virtual activities and lessons. The students are really enjoying "seeing" each other - even if it's on a Zoom call.

Each week students pick up packets with everything they need for the week, plus some extra materials for them to do additional activities on their own. Activities include physical fitness, STEM projects, math lessons, literacy lessons, and arts and crafts. Centers are combining virtual field trips with activities designed around what they experience during their online adventures. Staff are weaving this year's theme "Empowerment" throughout the week. All students are also receiving a book that amplifies the theme of racial pride and justice.

On July 14, Volunteer Arlington awarded the prestigious Lifetime of Service Award to Hanh Nguyen. After working with AHC for 30 years, Hanh currently volunteers with AFAC's food distribution program at three AHC properties.

"I wanted to volunteer in the community after retirement because I wanted to give back as a way to show my appreciation to the United States - my second home - and to all the Americans who accepted me and allowed me to have the freedom to live, to work, and be happy," said Hanh during the virtual award ceremony. Read more. Click below to watch the award presentation. AHC's Jennifer Endo introduces Hanh at approximately 1:35 in the video.