affordable housing

AHC Needs More Teen Tutors

By ARLnow.com

Local affordable housing outfit AHC is “in serious need” of teen tutors.

AHC has been running its teen tutoring program for more than 15 years. Tutors act as a teacher, mentor and role model for at-risk middle school and high school students who live in AHC communities. They work one-on-one with the teens, devoting at least an hour and a half per week.

“AHC’s Teen Tutoring program is growing, which is wonderful, but as the second half of the school year gets underway, we need more volunteers to work with middle and high school teenagers, particularly at Berkeley Apartments (2900 South Glebe Road),” AHC spokeswoman Celia Slater wrote in an email. “Now that the third quarter is starting, students are more and more interested in working hard to get good grades for the year. Volunteers work closely with one student for about an hour and a half one evening a week, which helps build strong mentoring relationships.”

The organization recently produced a short public service announcement (below) about its work with at-risk teens.

If you’re interested in donating your time and tutoring talents, email Jennifer Cavaliere at [email protected], or call 703-486-0626 x154.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Place and Street Names Explained — Ever wonder how Rosslyn, Clarendon, Aurora Hills, Lorcom Lane and other county neighborhoods and thoroughfares got their names? The Falls Church News-Press’s Arlington correspondent has the answers, courtesy of a new book from the Arlington Historical Society. More from FCNP.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Events in Shirlington — Check out this comprehensive list of the New Year’s Eve happenings in Shirlington Village (via Shirlington Village Blog). After you party all night, feel free to lounge all day at Busboys and Poets’ New Year’s Day pajama brunch (via Shirlington Village Blogspot).

Two Die in AHC-Owned Building — Carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected in the deaths of two people in a Baltimore rowhouse. The home is owned by Arlington-based affordable housing organization AHC Inc. More from the Baltimore Sun.

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Views at Clarendon Lawsuit Dismissed, Again

By ARLnow.com

A lawsuit to block an affordable housing deal between the state, the county, a developer and a Clarendon church has been dismissed by a federal appeals court.

In 2004, the county gave its blessing to a plan that would build an eight story affordable apartment complex, known as The Views at Clarendon, on top of the First Baptist Church of Clarendon. The plan was touted for its ability to increase the affordable housing stock in Clarendon while paying for the construction of a new church sanctuary.

The developer would buy property from the church, thus supporting the sanctuary construction, and then pay for the apartment building’s construction with the help of nearly $50 million in loans and tax breaks from the county, the state and the federal government.

After considerable neighborhood outrage and two legal challenges to the building’s imposing design failed to stop the development, Clarendon resident Peter Glassman filed suit in Nov. 2009, accusing Arlington County and the Virginia Housing Development Authority of violating the First Amendment separation of church and state by facilitating the development and providing subsidies to the church.

A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the case in April. Glassman appealed, and in the latest development, the appeal was rejected on Thursday.

In his decision, Fourth Circuit Court appeals judge Paul Niemeyer agreed with the lower court’s findings.

“We can find no factual allegations that support a claim that the County sought to advance the First Baptist Church’s faith, to spread the message of the First Baptist Church, or to become entangled in its religious affairs,” Niemeyer wrote. “Rather, the County’s only interest was to accomplish the secular end of having affordable housing constructed in a highly urban area of Arlington County.”

No word yet on whether any further legal action by Glassman may be forthcoming. Meanwhile, construction of The Views at Clarendon has been progressing steadily.

Update at 4:30 p.m. — The county has released a press release about the case. Here’s an excerpt, after the jump.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Views at Clarendon Could Be Model for Other Churches — Could more cash-strapped urban churches follow the Views at Clarendon model, selling land rights and allowing mixed-use development on church grounds? One of the architects of the affordable housing project says he’s getting calls from interested parishes around the country. A neighbor’s lawsuit challenging the project is currently on appeal. More from the Washington Examiner.

Marine Rape Trial Goes to Jury — The jury in the rape and abduction trial of 21-year-old Henderson Hall Marine Jorge “George” Torrez will resume deliberations at 9:00 this morning. Torrez faces 17 charges stemming from two separate attacks in Arlington in February. More from ABC7.

Metro Board to Vote on Blue and Orange Line Rehabilitation — Later this month, the Metro board will consider a $272 million plan to “rebuild major portions of the Blue and Orange lines to improve customer service.” If approved as expected, the work could begin in late 2011. More from the Washington Post.

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Toasting Affordable Housing on the Pike

By ARLnow.com

At a fundraiser last night at Clarendon Ballroom, the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing touted its major accomplishments from the past year. Among them: the completion of the Columbia Grove apartments, the purchase and planned renovation of the Buchanan Gardens apartments, and the just-announced deal to build 122 units of affordable housing behind the planned Arlington Mill Community Center.

What did those accomplishments have in common? They’re all along the Columbia Pike corridor.

APAH’s focus on the Pike reflects the county’s focus on preserving affordable housing and diversity along the Pike. With the area’s revitalization well-underway, the Pike’s 3,000 aging but affordable market rate apartments will inevitably be renovated, demolished or will simply get more expensive, forcing many lower-income families out.

“Affordable housing is one of our most important policy goals and one of the most difficult policy challenges,” said County Board Vice Chairman Chris Zimmerman. He called the Arlington Mill apartment deal “a good additional step” to achieving the county’s goal of increasing the Pike’s current stock of about 1,000 dedicated affordable housing units nearly five-fold in a span of 30 years.

One problem with that goal is the potential cost. The county simply doesn’t have the money to buy or build that many apartments. That, says APAH President Nina Janopaul, is why creative dealmaking is key to the Pike’s affordable housing future.

“The economics of this deal are great,” she said. “I think they have pioneered a new model of using existing vacant public land to turn it into affordable housing… by giving away that land initially, we have an opportunity to access other funding sources.”

But public land along the Pike is limited. Those 122 units at Arlington Mill will take up all the remaining county land on the site. Future affordable housing gains will likely be achieved in large part through density transfers — letting developers build taller buildings in exchange for footing the bill for a set number of affordable housing units.

If all works out, the county’s subsidy for the Arlington Mill apartments — aside from the land — could be zero. In fact, APAH’s proposal calls for making lease payments to the county. The $30 million in development costs are expected to be financed largely with low-income housing tax credits from the state.

Construction on the apartments is expected to begin in 2012 and wrap up by the end of 2013.

Volunteer Opp: More Teen Tutors Needed

By ARLnow.com

An Arlington-based affordable housing organization urgently needs more tutors for its educational programs this fall.

As we said in a post last month, AHC Inc. (formerly Arlington Housing Corporation) has been running its teen tutoring program for more than 15 years. Tutors act as a teacher, mentor and role model for ask-risk middle school and high school students who live in AHC communities. They work one-on-one with the teens, devoting at least an hour and a half per week.

But AHC hasn’t been able to find the 60 tutors needed for its growing program.

“We’re getting worried,” said AHC Communications Manager Celia Slater. “Although school – and homework – have already started, we still need about 20 more tutors for teens.”

The 90-minute tutoring sessions take place on weeknights at six locations in Arlington, two of which are Metro accessible.

For more information on becoming a tutor, contact Jennifer Cavaliere at cavaliere [at] ahcinc.org or 703-486-0626.

County Panel to Consider Colonial Village Renovations

By ARLnow.com

A county panel could approve major renovations to part of a historic housing complex as soon as tomorrow night.

The Arlington Tenant-Landlord Commission is scheduled to hear arguments for a plan to renovate the 162 Colonial Village apartment units owned by Wesley Housing Development Corporation. The hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Azalea Room (lobby level) of 2100 Clarendon Boulevard.

The plan calls for major upgrades and configuration changes, including new windows, kitchens, bathrooms and insulation. The grounds will also be improved, with new walkways and lighting.

Currently, there 109 one-bedroom and 53 two-bedroom apartments among Wesley’s Colonial Village portfolio. The non-profit expects the post-construction mix of units to be 90 one-bedrooms, 57 two-bedrooms and 14 three bedrooms. Seventeen apartments would be constructed to be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility specifications.

If approved by the commission, Wesley hopes to begin renovating small batches of apartments starting in April 2011. Affected residents would be moved to either a vacant unit or to another apartment complex, with the moving costs at least partially paid for by Wesley. The entire renovation process is expected to take about a year.

Some tenants will not be allowed to move back in after renovations, however. All but 33 of the new apartments will be placed into the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.  This fall, Wesley will begin interviewing tenants to determine whether their household income is low enough to qualify for the program. Tenants who don’t qualify may be able to move into one of the 33 market rate apartments, or may be forced to move elsewhere.

The income threshold for an individual is $43,500 or below. For a five-person household, it’s $67,080 or below.

The apartment buildings set to be renovated are 1702-34 North Troy Street and 2101, 2103, 2105, 2107, 2109, 2113 and 2115 North 18th Street.

Wesley, which is based in Alexandria, receives part of its funding from Arlington County.

Major Renovations Proposed for Colonial Village

By ARLnow.com

The historic Colonial Village apartments (the portion owned by Wesley Housing Development Corporation) will be renovated and most of the units converted to low income housing, under a plan that’s up for discussion at a county hearing next week.

The proposal calls for renovations to begin around March of next year, according to a leasing agent. Renovations would proceed several at a time. Tenants will be “relocated” during the renovation process.

The details about the low income housing conversion are a bit sketchy at this point, but initial reports suggest all but two dozen or so apartments will be designated low income housing under the plan, which could force some existing tenants out.

Colonial Village was among the first garden-style apartment complexes in the U.S. when it was built in the 1930s. Wesley owns 162 apartment units, which are home to about 400 residents.

A county housing counselor told ARLnow.com that more details will be revealed on Wed., Sept. 8, during an Arlington Tenant-Landlord Commission hearing. The hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Azalea Room (lobby level) of 2100 Clarendon Boulevard.

One Colonial Village resident we heard from was upset that there have only been two “resident meetings” about the plan leading up to next week’s hearing.

Today’s renovation news follows our report earlier this week about major renovations at the 1020 North Quincy Street apartments in Ballston.

Multiple calls to Wesley Housing Development Corporation’s main office in Alexandria went unanswered throughout the afternoon.

Volunteer Opp: Teen Tutors Needed

By ARLnow.com

Want to make a real positive difference in a teen’s life? An Arlington-based affordable housing organization is in “serious need” of tutors for its educational programs this fall.

AHC Inc. (formerly Arlington Housing Corporation) has been running its teen tutoring program for more than 15 years. Tutors act as a teacher, mentor and role model for ask-risk middle school and high school students who live in AHC communities. They work one-on-one with the teens, devoting at least an hour and a half per week.

The program has been a great success so far. Last year, all of the program’s seniors graduated high school and 80 percent went on to college. Many of the students who went to college were the first in their family to do, according to AHC spokesperson Celia Slater.

This year, the non-profit is searching for up to 60 mentors to meet the needs of its growing programs. The 90-minute tutoring sessions take place on weeknights at six locations in Arlington, two of which are Metro accessible.

Tutoring will start on September 13.

For more information on becoming a tutor, contact Jennifer Cavaliere at cavaliere [at] ahcinc.org or 703-486-0626.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Sunset Parade Draws Big Crowd — A good-sized crowd was on hand at the Iwo Jima Memorial last night (see photo above) for the Marine Corps’ first Sunset Parade of the summer.

I-66 Widening Begins Next Week — Dr. Gridlock reports that construction is expected to begin on I-66 next week. VDOT will be widening I-66 between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street in Arlington County. Expect an almost nightly lane closure through July, which could tie up traffic at times from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The project is expected to take 18 months.

Bike Safety Expenditures Detailed — Arlington is planning to spend $1,000,000 per year on bicycle and pedestrian safety projects. People-Powered Arlington has a breakdown of how and where the money will be spent in, complete with a handy map.

Tax Credits Provide $10 Million for Pike Housing Project — An allocation of tax credits from the state will allow a low-income housing development in Arlington to move forward. The 111-unit Buchanan Garden Apartments, on the western end of Columbia Pike, will be undergoing a $30 million renovation project. The tax credits will provide $10 million for the construction, with another $11.4 million contributed by the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund. The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing is spearheading the project, which will modernize aging apartments and add extra bedrooms for families.

Afternoon Notes: Another Good Economic Omen for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Makes AP’s “Least Stressed” List — Arlington has placed 12th on the Associated Press’ list of the 20 least economically stressed counties in the U.S.

County Gov’t Getting Paid By Feds — Arlington County will be reimbursed more than $300,000 for expenses associated with President Obama’s inauguration, the Sun Gazette reports. The county government is now turning its attention to securing about $800,000 in reimbursements from FEMA for December’s “Snowpocalypse” snow storm.

Affordable Housing Lawsuit Dismissed — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the county’s plan to partner with Clarendon’s First Baptist Church for an affordable housing development. More from ABC7.

Health Dept. Asks “How Are We Doing?” — The Arlington County Public Health Division wants public feedback on how it handled its H1N1 vaccination campaign. Fill out the online survey here.

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