2021 in Review – By the Numbers

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(Arlington, VA – January 5, 2022) 2021 was a challenging and jam-packed year. Many of us – particularly our residents – continued to feel the impacts of the pandemic acutely. AHC also navigated organizational changes as we move to third-party property management and search for our next President & CEO.

Through it all, AHC has continued to work hard to effectively engage with residents and create and preserve more affordable places for people to call home. Here’s a snapshot of what our partners, supporters, and volunteers helped us accomplish in 2021.

  • 1 award (& 342 solar panels). The Apex won Viridiant’s Building Sustainability Award for the Multifamily New Construction Project of the Year.
  • 5 years of College & Career Readiness. Watch the short video celebrating five years of the program and several students who are now out of college.
  • 6 new Board members. AHC elected six new Board members who bring together diverse voices and lived experiences.
  • 16 acres. The acquisition of Landings l and ll preserved 292 affordable apartments on 16 acres in Fairfax County.
  • 27 homeownership opportunities.  A new Montgomery County project will create nearly 200 affordable homes, including 27 homeownership opportunities.
  • 77 new affordable apartments. The redevelopment of Arlington View Terrace will provide 77 new affordable homes with free WiFi and sustainable design elements.
  • 189 renovated homes. Renovations at Greenspring Overlook, the first property we acquired in Baltimore 20 years ago, are almost complete.
  • 350 volunteers. AHC is deeply grateful to the 350 volunteers who worked regularly with our students and helped connect residents to services in 2021.
  • 644 vaccinations. Community partnerships helped vaccinate hundreds of AHC residents in Baltimore, Montgomery County, Arlington, and Alexandria.
  • 1,500 backpacks. Thanks to generous community donors,1,500 AHC students in Virginia and Maryland started school fully prepared.
  • $10 million in rental assistance. Resident Services have helped residents access nearly $10 million in much-needed rental assistance.
  • $170 million DC development. Now underway, Waterfront Station II is an exciting 450-unit, mixed-income, mixed-use new development in Southwest DC.

Photo: Clockwise from top left – Generous donors helped AHC provide 1,500 fully stuffed backpacks to students; Waterfront Station is an exciting 450-unit mixed-income, mixed-use development in Washington, DC; AHC and community partners helped vaccinate hundreds of our residents in the comfort of their homes in Virginia and Maryland; the Apex includes the largest solar array on a multifamily building in Northern Virginia.

About AHC Inc.

Founded in 1975, AHC Inc. is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing that provides quality homes and education programs for low-and moderate-income families. Based in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,500 apartment units in 50+ properties in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches 3,000 children, teens, and adults and seniors each year through onsite education and social service programs and activities. For more information, visit https://www.ahcinc.org/

 

Generous Community Support Brightens Holidays for AHC Residents

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Generous community members helped make the holidays brighter for AHC residents of all ages with visits from Santa, Christmas trees, toys, and gift bags.

“We are grateful for the generous outpouring during the holiday season,” said Laura Jackson, AHC’s volunteer coordinator. “The support means so much to our families, many of whom are still struggling because of the ongoing pandemic. It was wonderful to see children’s eyes light up and also to experience the gratitude from our seniors – particularly those who aren’t able to visit with  family because of the pandemic.”

Amazon volunteers, including Santa, Mrs. Claus, and several elves, helped distribute 200 toys generously donated by Amazon employees from across the country. Gifts were also gathered through a toy drive organized by Wakefield High School’s Interact Club.

The Arlington County Police Department distributed nearly 1,100 toys to children living at AHC’s affordable apartment communities throughout Arlington. Children were able to choose brand new toys displayed on multiple tables at the community centers.

Volunteers from long-time supporter St. Peter’s Episcopal Church unloaded 40 Christmas trees at Woodbury Park/Frederick apartments, much to the delight of residents. Church volunteers also donated 160 toys to AHC children.

Volunteers at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, next door neighbors to AHC’s Spire apartment community in Alexandria, shared hot chocolate and toys with nearly 50 children.

Generous supporters dropped off almost 500 Holiday Gift Bags for senior citizens at our Arlington properties and to the middle and high school students in our education programs. The gift bags are filled with items like adult coloring books & colored pencils, fuzzy socks, hats & gloves, tea & hot chocolate and gift cards.

Donors include 28 individuals, Arlington Rotary Club, Microsoft, TMG Construction, 3 Girl Scout troops, Willis Towers Watson, Partner Forces, and Marymount University athletic teams (Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Soccer, Men’s Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball and Assistant Athletic Director).

About AHC Inc.
Founded in 1975, AHC Inc. is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing that provides quality homes and education programs for low-and moderate-income families. Based in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,800 apartment units in 50+ properties in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches 3,000 children, teens, adults, and seniors each year.

Building Strong Community and Diversity

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(Arlington, VA – December 21, 2021) The past two years of public health and financial disruption underscore how vital community ties are to each of us. As we move forward into 2022, AHC is focusing on building strong community and diversity in three critical areas: Within AHC apartment communities, across our own organization, and throughout our relationships with local government and community partners.

  1. Residents are AHC’s #1 Priority. Building on our award-winning Resident Services program and active engagement with residents and tenant advocates, we are elevating resident voices across every aspect of our work, from onsite repairs and development plans to board discussions. Initial steps include adding two current AHC residents to our Board, adding a dedicated staff member to coordinate our resident voice and community engagement efforts, and launching a joint CEO-Board organizational-wide community engagement initiative.
  2. Skills and diverse viewpoints support AHC staff, vendors, and board. We are also expanding our customer service training diversity and inclusion efforts to include new trainings on intercultural communication strategies and trauma-informed practices. Our new class of AHC board members brings together diverse voices and lived experiences, including AHC residents, housing professionals, community members, and youth advocates from Montgomery County, Alexandria, and Fairfax.
  3. AHC continues to innovate and collaborate with community and government partners. We are redoubling our commitment to building strong and diverse communities by expanding and deepening our partnerships with the many community organizations and local governments that make our work possible. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with our partners to develop innovative and cutting-edge strategies to create and preserve affordable housing where it is most needed throughout the region.

Affordable, stable housing is the foundation for healthy families, individuals, and communities – and increasingly critical in today’s daunting economic climate. At AHC, we are hopeful that, by prioritizing thoughtful engagement and deeper partnerships with the residents and communities we serve, we can make a real difference.

Photo: AHC Inc. Board, clockwise: Wanda L. Pierce, Mildred Mack, Tom Klanderman, Katharine Dixon, Andargachew Legesse Wolde, Jessica Majano-Arriaza, David Barsky, C.C. Jenkins,  and Susan Cunningham. Not pictured: Ginger Brown, Justin C. Oliver, Tedi Osias, and Terron Sims, II. 

AHC Inc. Welcomes New Community Engagement Assistant Director

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(Arlington, VA – December 14, 2021) Affordable housing developer AHC Inc. is pleased to welcome Roxana Hernandez as its new Community Engagement Assistant Director. With over six years of experience in developing and coordinating programs in the mental health, community impact, and housing stability fields, Hernandez will coordinate community engagement across AHC, ensuring resident and community perspectives will inform strategic decision-making throughout the entire organization — from communications to real estate development and property management.

In this newly created role, Hernandez will serve as a liaison to residents, resident advocates, and other community members. She will also work alongside third-party property managers, asset management, and resident services to develop and implement strategies to help ensure AHC’s facilities and on-site staff are meeting residents’ needs.

A resident of Arlington County herself, Hernandez is very familiar with the Greater Washington, D.C. metro area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, and is also a graduate of the Ignite Young Professionals Program with the Leadership Center for Excellence. Additionally, Hernandez has received special training in community engagement, financial capabilities, domestic violence trauma, mental health aid, and COVID-safety. All of these skills will greatly help AHC with its commitment to elevating resident voices and building strong and diverse communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Roxana as AHC’s new Community Engagement Assistant Director,” said Jennifer Endo, Vice President of Community Relations. “As AHC continues to prioritize community engagement throughout our strategic decision-making process and foster trust with our residents and the communities we serve, Roxana’s experience and innate ability to connect will be a tremendous asset.”

Hernandez added: “I am so excited to join the AHC family. I look forward to connecting with residents and being able to make a direct positive impact in their lives.”

About AHC Inc.
Founded in 1975, AHC Inc. is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing that provides quality homes and education programs for low-and moderate-income families. Based in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,800 apartment units in 50+ properties in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches 3,000 children, teens, adults, and seniors each year.

AHC Inc. Elects Six New Board Members, Including Two Residents

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(Arlington, VA – October 20, 2020) AHC Inc., a regional non-profit affordable housing developer based in Arlington, VA, elected six new Board members during its Annual Meeting yesterday. “This year, we are intentionally broadening the Board perspective by bringing together diverse voices and lived experiences, including two AHC community residents from Silver Spring and Arlington, and community leaders and housing professionals from Montgomery County, the District of Columbia, Alexandria and Fairfax,” said Susan Cunningham, Interim President and CEO.

Approximately 40 residents expressed interest in serving on AHC’s Board. This overwhelming interest from AHC residents will anchor a new Community Engagement Committee, to include AHC Board members and current AHC residents.

“We are delighted to add new voices to strengthen our partnerships with residents and our commitment to building strong community, both within AHC properties and across our own organization,” said Cunningham.

The six new board members join previously elected Board members David Barsky, Ginger Brown, C.C. Jenkins, Justin Oliver, Wanda Pierce, and Terron Sims, II.

Retiring Board members include Bob Bushkoff, Catherine Saadat, and Rachael Schroeder.

New AHC Board members

Katharine Dixon is the President & CEO of Rebuilding Together DC • Alexandria, a mission-driven organization that creates healthy neighborhoods for residents in Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virginia. She serves on the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee, the Advisory Councils of Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, and the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, and has held leadership roles on the Alexandria Council of Human Services Organizations, the Alexandria Housing Master Plan Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce. Katharine graduated from Loyola College.

Thomas Klanderman is a partner with Venable LLC. He practices commercial real estate law, including complex development transactions, joint venture arrangements, ground lease transactions, acquisitions and sales, and borrower- and lender-side finance. Thomas previously served on AHC’s Board for 12 years (in the early 2000s and 2015 -2018); he also served on the Arlington Food Assistance Center Board and participated in Leadership Arlington. He graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton and earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Andargachew Legesse Wolde is self-employed and, with his wife and two children, has lived at an AHC apartment community in Arlington, VA for about four years. In Ethiopia, he was a Finance and Accounting Manager for several organizations. He was also elected Chairman of a Housing Construction Co-operative in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Andargachew graduated from the University of Delhi in Accounting. He also has Diplomas in Law and French, and training in Economics. He believes strongly in the importance of education and has taught math to high school seniors and accounting to university students.

Mildred Mack has lived at an AHC apartment community in Silver Spring, VA since 2010. Prior to moving to Maryland, Mildred lived in Alaska for 25 years where she was a case manager at Covenant House, an international organization providing housing and support services to young people in need. Her commitment inspired her daughter to also join the mission. Today her daughter is Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Covenant House International. Now retired, Mildred continues to help others. After seeing that some of her fellow Charter House seniors often lack essential items for their homes, Mildred created the Charter House Boutique. It has provided free household goods for residents in need for over 10 years, thanks to donations from other residents and community members. Mildred received an undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Education.

Jessica Majano-Arriaza is the bilingual Youth Development Program Coordinator at Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, which empowers teen girls to overcome obstacles, make positive choices, and achieve their goals through programs in schools throughout the Greater Washington area. Jessica has been working with and serving youth for over six years. Prior to Crittenton, she held roles as a Peace Corps (Costa Rica) youth development volunteer, a Teach for America teacher, and worked in the reunification process for unaccompanied minors. An Arlington native, Jessica’s family is originally from El Salvador. Jessica holds her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Louisiana State University.

Tedi Osias has been Senior Policy Adviser (for land use and housing issues) to Montgomery County Council members Nancy Floreen and Hans Riemer for land use and housing issues. She also served as the Director of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the Housing Opportunities Commission, chief of staff to County Council member Howard A. Denis, and Executive Director of the Montgomery County Board of Appeals. Earlier in her career Tedi was a county land use and transportation planner and legislative aide to then-Delegate Nancy Kopp.  A DC native, Tedi now lives in Maryland and currently serves as the Co-President of Montgomery Women. Tedi holds a B.A. and an M.A. in History from Washington University in St. Louis, and an M.P.A. from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Photo:  AHC’s New Board members include, top row, left to right: Katherine Dixon, Thomas Klanderman, Andargachew Legesse Wolde; bottom row, left to right: Mildred Mack, Jessica Majano-Arriaza, and Tedi Osias.