Today, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) announced that the Arlington Presbyterian Church (APC) congregation has committed $200,000 to help low-income residents facing eviction remain in their homes at four APAH-owned properties along Columbia Pike. This funding will help eliminate outstanding rent balances for as many as 200 APAH residents and their families. The timing of the gift is critical, as multiple pandemic-era safety net programs that provided relief to struggling renters have ended.
“These relief programs provided lifelines for vulnerable residents to ensure their housing needs were met, and right now, low-income households everywhere are experiencing hardship now that the safety nets are no longer available,” said APAH President and CEO, Carmen Romero. “APAH is committed to ensuring that its residents have a stable place to call home and we are grateful to have a partner like Arlington Presbyterian Church who shares our mission. Our hope is that APC’s generosity inspires more community partners to join them in helping our neighbors remain housed.”
The funds will be made available this Saturday, March 18, during a dedicated resident-only event. The goal is to eliminate outstanding rent balances at Gilliam Place, Buchanan Gardens, Columbia Hills, and Columbia Grove. APAH Resident Services staff, members of Arlington Presbyterian Church, Arlington County Government, as well as Arlington Thrive will be onsite to assist residents, determine their needs, and provide critical financial relief. The partnership underscores APAH’s commitment to provide stable, affordable homes to those who need them most.
“Our faith mandates us to put the well-being of our neighbors at the center of all we do,” said Arlington Presbyterian Church Pastor Ashley Goff. “We care deeply about our Gilliam Place and Columbia Pike neighbors, and if we join our partners in the work, we can generate real power for change together. This gift is one way in which we live out this narrative and our core values.”
Community organizations, businesses and individuals interested in supporting APAH’s mission and its residents can visit www.apah.org/get-involved/donate/ways-to-give/ or email [email protected].