Amazon's $3 Million Gift to be Distributed to APAH, Others
|
|
“The affordability crisis and rapid displacement of our diverse residents are the greatest threats to our community’s long-term health and viability,” says Community Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Owens.
On December 5, the Arlington Community Foundation released a plan to use the funds to create committed affordable apartments available for Arlington households with an annual income of $36,000 or less.
|
|
|
One million of Amazon’s $3 million donation will be immediately awarded to the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) to make rents more affordable in 10 of the new apartment units currently being developed at the American Legion site on Washington Boulevard.
An additional $1.7 million will be awarded via an RFP to affordable housing producers to create additional low-cost housing in Arlington for those in the lowest income bracket. (See details below.)
|
|
Arlington Community Foundation Affordable Housing RFP Open
|
|
Applications Due Januarry 22, 2020
Arlington Community Foundation released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for private owners of rental housing in Arlington County to participate in the achievement of ACF’s Shared Prosperity Initiative affordable housing goal to increase committed affordable units for households earning 30% AMI or less. Selected owners will receive grant funding from ACF to write down the rents on selected housing units in their portfolios or near-term pipeline.
|
|
Arlington County Seeks Budget Input
|
|
Budget season has started for County government and they want to hear your thoughts about how to spend taxpayer dollars.
As you give feedback, show your support for affordable housing by encouraging growth of the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) and other policies that make it easier for our community to be welcoming of people of all income levels.
Survey open until January 15, 2020
|
|
|
Affordable Housing, Flooding, And The Future of Arlington: Two Groups on Opposite Sides Weigh In
ArlNow | November 26, 2019
It has been a big year for affordable housing in Arlington, from the county initiative “Housing Arlington,” to zoning changes, to new studies.
Heading into the new year, with Amazon’s HQ2 taking shape, two local advocacy groups plan on continuing to push officials on the issue. But one believes more density is the solution, while the other claims increasing the housing supply would wreck community character and the environment.
|
|
|
County Board Board Approves Met Park Redevelopment for Amazon HQ2
December 14, 2019
The Arlington County Board approved a plan to transform 6.2 acres of Pentagon City’s Metropolitan Park from abandoned 1950s-era warehouses and surface parking into the first phase of Amazon’s new headquarters. The project also includes a $20 million contribution to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) - the largest contribution the revolving loan fund has received to date.
“The $20 million contribution to AHIF will allow the County to fund over 200 units of committed affordable housing, which will help meet only about one-third of the County’s annual goal for new units when it occurs,” Michelle Winters, director of the Alliance for Housing Solutions, told ARLnow.
(See also the Dec. 3 ArlNow article Planning Commission Approves of Amazon’s Request for More Density, Affordable Housing Package.)
|
|
|
Housing News in Our Region
|
|
Governor Northam Announces Major Investments in Affordable Housing for Virginians | Dec. 13, 2019
Governor Ralph Northam announced his proposed budget will include $92 million in new funding to address housing affordability, eviction rates, and supportive housing throughout the Commonwealth.
The Governor’s proposed budget invests $63 million in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF), bringing the total amount to $84 million over three years. The VHTF provides financing for housing construction projects that create or preserve affordable housing units, reduce the cost of affordable housing, and increase homeownership. Read the full press release
|
|
|
Board Approves Crystal Houses Development | December 14, 2019
The Arlington County Board approved a plan to add 819 new housing units, two new public parks and a small amount of ground floor retail space to Crystal City’s 17-acre Crystal Houses site. The developer will convey a part of the site to the County that can provide at least 81 units for affordable housing. Read the press release
|
|
|
MLK Day of Service Registration Now Open!
|
|
January 20, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Washington-Liberty High School
Join AHS and our partners AHC, Inc. and APAH to learn more about affordable housing and how you can get involved. We're offering a volunteer training Arlington for Everyone (a campaign to increase public awareness about the role of housing affordability and options in maintaining a diverse, sustainable and economically vibrant community in Arlington), and our partners will talk about their programs and volunteer opportunities.
|
|
|
Alexandria Housing Summit
|
|
January, 11, 2020
8:30 a.m.- 4:15 p.m.
Free
Andrea Brennan, Minneapolis' Director of Housing Policy and Development, returns to our region for this free, full-day event, which will examine the progress and implementation of Alexandria's 2013 Housing Master Plan and explore bold new ideas to address the City's affordable housing challenges and opportunities in 2020 and beyond. Register here
|
|
|
|
The work we do is only made possible from the generosity of our community—a collective effort of businesses, charitable foundations, and individuals who share in our mission to increase the supply of affordable housing right here in Arlington.
As we look to the end of 2019 and the challenges we plan to tackle in 2020, we hope that you will consider making a year-end gift to support the work of the Alliance for Housing Solutions.
Your gift of any size will make a difference. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
