Posts

HUD Secretary Fudge and Officials Tour Alexandria Affordable Housing Community The Spire

/in , , /by

HUD Secretary Fudge, Congressman Beyer, and Alexandria Mayor Wilson toured AHC Inc. affordable housing property The Spire to  address the affordable housing crisis and the path to recovery through Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda.

Officials Visit Alexandria Affordable Housing Community to Highlight National Affordable Housing Crisis

For Immediate Release: August 24, 2021

On Friday, August 13, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge, Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08), and City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson visited AHC affordable housing community, The Spire, as part of a larger discussion about the nationwide affordable housing crisis.

“We are one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the world, and certainly in America, one of the best educated, and yet there are still many people struggling and living in poverty among us,” said Beyer. “Thank goodness we are choosing as a community to use our resources to invest in housing and other services for these people.”

In Alexandria, The Spire is one of a half-dozen newly built affordable housing developments. The City is working to meet both its Housing Master Plan target of 2,000 committed affordable rental apartments by 2025, as well as its portion of the 2030 regional housing goal set by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which would require production or preservation of an additional 2,250 affordable and workforce level homes. While this will not meet all the affordable housing needs in the City, it represents an acceleration of the City’s historical rate of affordable housing production.

After touring The Spire’s community spaces and an accessible two-bedroom unit, officials provided remarks on the project and highlighted the Biden administration’s Build Back Better Agenda. As part of this recovery initiative, the creation of two million new affordable and low-income homes is proposed, along with expanding financial resources, including private investment through the low-income housing tax credit program, to support the goal.

“Low-income and affordable housing was a problem before COVID, but it is even a bigger problem now,” observed Fudge. “There is no place in this country today where a person making minimum wage can afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment. We know, we hear, and we understand what’s happening in this country. And I want to thank everybody who had anything to do with this project.”

“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Fudge to Alexandria and have the opportunity to highlight a project that demonstrates the value of community partnerships,” added Wilson. “Affordable housing continues to be a priority for the City and is integral for the success of our community as a whole.”

The Spire opened its doors to residents this past spring, seven years after its inception. In 2014, the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection generously offered nonprofit housing developer, AHC Inc., a parcel of their property as part of their commitment to expanding housing affordability for neighbors in the Alexandria community. Located in the Beauregard neighborhood, The Spire’s 113 apartments offer affordable homes to households with incomes ranging from 30% to 60% of the area median income.

 “We are so grateful that Secretary Fudge, Congressman Beyer, and Mayor Wilson came to The Spire to discuss this critical issue that affects so many in our region,” said Interim AHC CEO Susan Cunningham. “We hope projects like The Spire encourage other communities to join together to create affordable housing and pave a way forward for families in need.”

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, adults and seniors each year through on-site education, and social service programs and activities. For more information, visit ahcinc.org.

For media inquiries, please contact Celia Slater, Communications Director, at celia.slater@ahcinc.org or 571-228-5948.

About the City of Alexandria

Founded in 1749, the City of Alexandria is a full-service, independent city in Virginia, with a AAA/aaa credit rating and a national reputation for progressive and responsible government. With a fast-paced business environment, walkable neighborhoods and lifestyle amenities, Alexandria is a world-class destination where businesses and nonprofits choose to be. Alexandria’s ample office space and urban amenities offer room to grow – and value that is unmatched anywhere in the region. Located minutes from the nation’s capital, Alexandria’s old-world charm and cutting-edge innovation are the perfect mix for attracting a diverse community, talented workforce and enthusiastic visitors.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Housing for information about the City’s Housing Master Plan and affordable housing resources.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Kelly Gilfillen, Acting Director, Office of Communications and Public Information, at kelly.gilfillen@alexandriava.gov or 571.208.9001.

Montgomery County Approves Site Plan for AHC and Habitat For Humanity Mixed-Income Redevelopment

/in , , /by
 

See most current news:  Groundbreaking for the Randolph Road Community, January 2023

(June 1, 2021 – Arlington, VA ) The Montgomery County Planning Board has approved the site plan for a new six-acre mixed-income community at 4010 Randolph Road. Located on Montgomery County-owned land, the redevelopment is a partnership between AHC Inc. and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Maryland.

The new community will offer nearly 200 affordable homes, including both rental and homeownership opportunities, at various incomes – including deeply affordable units at 30%, 40% and 50% AMI – with 80 hard-to-find three- and four-bedroom apartment homes. The project will also feature an half-acre park with a playground, picnic area, inviting pedestrian walkways, and open lawn areas.

The project includes 27 affordable-for-sale homes, including 24 condominiums and three single-family residences. 

The design and development team includes Bonstra Haresign Architects, Parker Rodriguez Landscape Architects, Johnson Bernat Associates (civil engineer), Lerch Early Brewer (zoning attorney), and Kimley-Horn (traffic engineer).  

The Planning Board approval enables a groundbreaking in early 2022, with the first new residents expected in 2024.

###

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, adults and seniors each year through on-site education and social service programs and activities. For more information, visit https://www.ahcinc.org/

AHC Inc. Breaks Ground on Affordable Apartment Redevelopment in Arlington

/in , , /by

AHC Inc. broke ground on May 6 on the redevelopment of Arlington View Terrace East (AVT), a garden-style affordable housing community located on Arlington’s Columbia Pike, one of the County’s main corridors. The $39 million new construction project will create an expanded, sustainably designed community, which will provide residents with modern conveniences, such as free WiFi, a community room, fitness room, courtyard, and parking garage, as well as advanced green-building systems including roof-top solar.

Arlington, Va. —March 6, 2021 — AHC Inc., a leading developer of affordable housing in Maryland and Virginia, today broke ground on its $39 million redevelopment project of Arlington View Terrace East, an affordable housing community located on the eastern end of Columbia Pike. The current community includes 77 apartments spread out among seven two- and three-story buildings. The Arlington View Terrace East redevelopment is demolishing the largest of the structures, which currently includes 30 homes, and replacing it with a new Energy Star Certified & EarthCraft Certified Gold structure with 77 apartments. With construction beginning later this month, the redevelopment will boost the number of affordable apartments to 124 at Arlington View Terrace and create several new amenities and features for residents.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, including Virginia State Delegate Alfonso Lopez and Arlington County Board members Matt de Ferranti and Katie Cristol.

“I’m delighted to be here today for the groundbreaking of much-needed affordable homes along Columbia Pike in Arlington,” said Virginia State Delegate Alfonso Lopez. “I believe investing in affordable housing is essential to the economic vitality of not only Arlington, but also to the entire Commonwealth. In today’s competitive economic climate, it takes a lot of resources to get an affordable housing project off the ground. I am proud this project is being funded through Virginia’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund – which I created in 2013 – along with support from other local and national partners.”

“Preserving and expanding access to safe, habitable affordable housing is a priority in our community,” said Arlington County Chair Matt De Ferranti. “Along with creating life-changing opportunities for dozens of local families, it’s also great to see that Arlington View Terrace East has been designed to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future by including access to free WiFi and green design elements like solar panels.”

Ricky Clark, a service manager at AHC for nearly 20 years who grew up at AVT, also participated in the event.

“This will always be home for me,” Clark said. “A lot of these residents have lived here a long time. People enjoy both the sense of community and the convenience of being right off Columbia Pike.”

The new building will feature sustainable design elements, including a projected 190-panel solar system, AHC’s second solar project in Arlington. The solar project is expected to generate 84,000 kwh a year, enough to power nearly 8 single-family houses a year. Arlington View Terrace East is also AHC’s First Energy Star Certified Building and includes an extensive green roof to support stormwater management. The community qualified for Gold-level certification with EarthCraft Multifamily (ECMF), the nation’s first multifamily-specific green building program.

Residents will also enjoy a new community room, fitness room, courtyard, leasing office, and parking garage. The apartments will feature attractive plank flooring, bigger and more numerous windows, new appliances, and free WiFi for each apartment.

“We’re excited to break ground on redeveloping Arlington View Terrace East to bring more quality affordable apartments to Arlington,” said John Welsh, VP of Multifamily Development at AHC Inc. “Primely located in the heart of Arlington, central to jobs and the vibrant streetscape of Columbia Pike, this is a much-needed community that will provide dozens of local, hardworking families with an opportunity to build brighter futures.”

Expected to be completed by early 2023, AVT’s 77 new affordable apartments will house families earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and will offer 15 three-bedroom apartments. Further, eight homes have been set aside for Arlington County’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, which provides the opportunity for residents with disabilities to maintain their housing and pay no more than 30% of their income towards rent. There will also be eight fully ADA accessible units, and the new building will meet Universal Design standards.

This project was made possible by AHC Inc.’s local and national partners. Arlington View Terrace East won an allocation of $2.03 million in competitive tax credits from Virginia Housing (VHDA), which will generate $19.5 million in tax credit equity. The Arlington County Board allocated up to $8.23 million in loan and grant funding, and the project was also selected for a $900,000 loan from the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.

Other funding partners include Virginia Housing (VHDA), Capital One, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD), Hudson Housing, and NeighborWorks America. AHC Inc. also collaborated with Cunningham and Quill Architects, who designed the renovation, Harkins Builders, who will execute the construction, Walter L Phillips, AVT’s civil engineer and Klein Hornig, LLC, financing council.

To learn more about Arlington View Terrace East, visit: https://www.ahcinc.org/portfolio/arlington-view-terrace-east/

###

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 through on-site education and social service programs and activities. For more information, visit https://www.ahcinc.org/

AHC Inc. Partners with Virginia Housing and Fairfax County to Preserve 292 Affordable Homes

/in , , /by
 

Summary: Landings I and Landings II cover approximately 16 acres of land and feature 292 apartments for residents to choose from, with studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom options. Capital repairs will take place at the two properties in the next year, while a more extensive renovation will occur over the course of the next decade.

 Arlington, Va. —March 2, 2021 — More affordable homes are coming to the Alexandria and Fort Belvoir area, thanks to affordable housing developer AHC Inc., which today announced the acquisition of two prime properties. The acquisition was made in partnership with Virginia Housing and Fairfax County to fulfill their goal of providing safe, affordable homes for the residents of Fairfax County.

This acquisition ensures the preservation of 292 apartments as affordable homes. The properties will provide homes for residents earning between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income or between $63,000 and $79,600 for a family of four. Affordability will be implemented in a phased approach upon turnover.

“Fairfax County is committed to ensuring no net loss of affordability. To accomplish this preservation goal, partnerships with the development community and financial institutions are essential,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Director Tom Fleetwood. “We are very excited that AHC and Virginia Housing have taken the first steps toward helping us meet that goal by preserving existing market affordable units along the opportunity-rich Richmond Highway Corridor.”

One of the properties, currently known as Haven Mount Vernon, is located at 5401 Claymont Drive in Alexandria, while the other, known as Haven Fort Belvoir, is located at 9190 Richmond Highway in Fort Belvoir. Both properties will be renamed as Landings I and Landings II, respectively.

The two communities will undergo moderate improvements, including repairs to the siding and sidewalks, in addition to partial replacements of the HVAC systems and hot water heaters. Easier access to the leasing center, as well as new roofing will be implemented at Landings I, while window repairs will be made at Landings II. Additional renovations will take place at both buildings over the span of the next 10 years.

“Preservation is an important aspect of Virginia Housing’s mission, and AHC is to be commended for preserving some of Fairfax County’s much-needed affordable housing stock along the Route 1 corridor,” said Virginia Housing CEO Susan Dewey. “Virginia Housing remains focused on working with our partners to increase the amount of quality affordable housing available to our citizens, especially in Northern Virginia. Together with AHC, Fairfax County and our other partners, we are making great progress toward our goal.”

Occupying nearly 12 acres of land, Landings I will offer 216 apartments with 168 two-bedrooms and 48 one-bedrooms. Landings II is situated on approximately four acres and will feature 76 residences with 12 studios, 42 one-bedroom apartments, and 22 with two-bedrooms.

Both communities will offer a number of amenities to their residents. Landings I will include a business center, fitness room, clubhouse, pool, children’s playground and picnic area, while Landings II will have an on-site dog park, playground and fitness center.

“I am committed to preserving and adding affordable and work force housing in the Richmond Highway corridor along with our many other new developments,” said Mount Vernon District Supervisor Daniel Storck. This new acquisition is a major step to not just preserving, but improving and enhancing the affordable housing stock we already have in the District for our residents.”

AHC Inc. financed the properties with loans from both Virginia Housing and Fairfax County, as well as an AHC Loan. Project financing also included Virginia Housing (VHDA) REACH, including funding specifically for affordable housing near Amazon’s new headquarters.

“We are excited to partner with both Virginia Housing and Fairfax County to help address the ongoing affordable housing crisis in our state,” said AHC Inc. VP of Multifamily Development, John Welsh. “Currently, there are many hard-working families who work in Alexandria and Fort Belvoir but do not live here because of the lack of housing affordable to them. Landings I and II will offer much-needed affordable and moderately priced homes, located near employment centers and convenient transportation options.  Landings I & II will connect nicely with Fairfax County’s Embark Richmond Highway.”

With the new acquisition, AHC Inc. has preserved or produced more than 1,100 quality homes for low- and moderate-income Fairfax County residents.

AHC Inc. is also welcoming 113 families later this month to a brand new affordable housing community in Fairfax County called The Spire, which is already accepting applications.

###

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 8,000 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 through on-site education and social service programs and activities. For more information, visit https://www.ahcinc.org/.

About the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA)
The FCRHA serves more than 18,000 residents through a variety of rental housing assistance and First-Time Homebuyer programs; and owns and operates nearly 4,000 units of housing – including multifamily housing, senior housing, licensed assisted living and specialized housing for tenants with a variety of needs. The FCRHA also oversees and administers Fairfax County’s land use housing programs and the investment of local funds as well as state and federal grants to increase and/or preserve the county’s stock of affordable homes. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/housing. 

About Virginia Housing
When homes are affordable and accessible to jobs, good schools and transportation, everyone benefits. Individual lives are improved and communities as a whole grow stronger. Virginia Housing was created in 1972 by the General Assembly to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. We carry out this mission by working in public-private partnerships with local governments, community service organizations, lenders, Realtors, developers and many others. We provide mortgages for first-time homebuyers, as well as financing for apartment communities and neighborhood revitalization efforts. We offer free homebuyer classes, support housing counseling, and help people with disabilities and the elderly make their homes more livable. We also administer the federal Housing Choice Voucher and Housing Credit programs in Virginia. Virginia Housing is self-supporting and receives no state taxpayer dollars to fund our programs. Instead, we raise money in the capital markets, and we contribute a significant portion of our net revenues each year to help meet Virginia’s most difficult housing needs. www.virginiahousing.com

AHC Greater Baltimore 2020 Development Highlights

/in , , /by
 

Established in 2014, AHC Greater Baltimore has developed eight properties with more than 1,600 affordable apartments in the Baltimore region. The organization, a subsidiary of Arlington, VA-based AHC Inc., continues to expand its portfolio. Following are our 2020 development highlights. 

Greenspring Overlook Renovation

We’re giving our first property, Greenspring Overlook, a refresh! Purchased in 2001, the garden-style complex features 189 units and accepts Housing Choice Vouchers. The extensive renovations feature upgrades to all units and common spaces, including: replacing the plumbing and HVAC, updating lighting and fixtures to save energy, installing new kitchen cabinets and countertops, enhancing the security system, altering the sidewalk to improve accessibility, and building a new tot lot/additional recreation space.

We’re phasing construction so we can relocate residents for all in-unit work, with the goal of keeping most residents on site. COVID-19 has presented additional challenges to the construction process, but we have put new precautions and protocols in place to protect the safety of the residents and the construction workers.

MonteVerde Rowe

In 2008, AHC-GB purchased and renovated MonteVerde – a complex with 301 affordable apartments for seniors and people with disabilities. After investing in MonteVerde, we realized the nearby 2600 block of Violet Avenue, which used to include mostly vacant and abandoned homes, was also in need of renovation. We purchased 2/3 of the homes on this block and redeveloped them with first-time homebuyers in mind. Dubbed MonteVerde Rowe, the project has transformed the 2600 block of Violet Avenue. Renovations provided updated kitchens and baths, new windows, Energy Star appliances, and features that celebrated the history of the rowhomes like hardwood floors and exposed brick.

In December 2020, the final renovated home on MonteVerde Rowe went under contract, bringing years of hard work and effort to fruition!

Poe Homes CHOICE Neighborhoods Transformation Plan

AHC-GB is excited to be working with our partner, Michaels Development, to create a plan for the transformation of Poe Homes, one of the oldest public housing developments in Baltimore. AHC-GB submitted the final transformation plan for the development to HUD in September. The final plan proposes approximately 600 new units at Poe Homes and in the surrounding neighborhood to replace the existing public housing as well as add new housing to create a mixed-income redevelopment. 

O’Donnell Heights Community Revitalization

Since September 2019, AHC-GB has participated in the community process led by Baltimore City Department of Planning and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City to develop a neighborhood revitalization plan for various communities, including O’Donnell Heights. The community revitalization plan was approved in June 2020 following a process that included AHC-GB, Michaels Development, local neighborhood associations, O’Donnell Heights Tenant Council, local schools, and businesses.  

Photo: AHC Greater Baltimore Development Manager Darron Cooper works with residents to revitalize Poe Homes public housing into a mixed-income development with approximately 600 new affordable homes.