affordable housing | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published September 9, 2013 at 9:15AM

Thousands Apply to Live in New Affordable Building — Since it started accepting applications on Aug. 27, the new 122-unit Arlington Mill Residences affordable apartment complex has received applications from more than 3,600 people. Nonprofit developer Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing is expected to hold a lottery later this week to determine which of the qualified applicants will get an apartment. [Washington Post]

New Randolph Elementary Track — A dedication ceremony was held on Friday for a new track at Randolph Elementary School. The track was built with $40,436 raised by the Randolph PTA and Randolph Principal Renee Bostick. As part of Friday’s event, the Wakefield High School marching band led students, school staff and parents on a inaugural lap around the track. [Arlington Public Schools]

News

APAH Opens Waiting List for Arlington Mill Residences

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 13, 2013 at 2:30PM

Applications for the four-story, 122-unit rental community at 901 S. Dinwiddie Street submitted between Aug. 27 and Aug. 31 will be entered into a lottery to determine waiting list priority, according to APAH. Applications submitted after Aug. 31 will be placed on the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those interested in applying can print out the application form and submit it to the leasing office — temporarily located at 1001 S. Frederick Street, Apt. 1031, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — or email it to [email protected].

Around Town

APAH Plans New Carlyn Springs Apartments

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 8, 2013 at 4:30PM

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing is planning to build a 104-unit apartment building to replace its three-story, 27-unit Carlyn Springs apartment complex near Ballston.

The site, at the intersection of N. Carlin Springs Road and Thomas Street, has gone through its first round of site plan approval meetings with the county, planning commissioners and civic associations, APAH President and CEO Nina Janopaul said. The new building is planned to be in an “S” shape, with five stories and underground parking. The building plan was amended to preserve a 100-year-old tree on the site.

Around Town

AHC Kicks Off Backpack Drive

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 1, 2013 at 12:00PM

The drive, launched this week, is targeting at the low- to very low-income elementary school students who live in AHC’s affordable housing units in the county. AHC accepts cash donations starting at $18, which is how much it costs for a backpack filled with school supplies.

“Our goal is to make sure each and every child shows up to elementary school with the tools they need to succeed,” AHC stated in a press release.

News

vPoint Pays Back $1.2 Million County Loan

By Ethan Rothstein

Published July 19, 2013 at 10:35AM

The repayment was done in dramatic fashion, with representatives of the complex presenting the Arlington County Board with a check for $1.2 million on Tuesday.

The apartments, owned by the Views at Clarendon Corporation, opened more than 18 months ago and are currently at capacity, according to Views at Clarendon Chair Jerry Morris. Of the building’s 116 apartments, 70 are affordable units.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 18, 2013 at 8:30AM

Board Ponders Affordable Housing on Pike — County Board members are still deciding how best to pay for the 6,200 units of affordable housing they have pledged to maintain on Columbia Pike. One option is to use Tax Increment Financing, using the growth of real estate values (through redevelopment on the Pike) to fund affordable housing. However, a majority of Board members remain skeptical of that plan. [Sun Gazette]

Silver Line Delayed — The initial opening of the Silver Line has been delayed by eight weeks to allow for additional safety and performance testing. It was previously expected that the first phase of the Metro line, which will run to Reston and Tysons Corner, would open in late December. [MWAA]

News

Housing Authority Referendum Goes To Board

By Ethan Rothstein

Published July 11, 2013 at 3:00PM

By statute, the Board must approve the referendum if 2 percent of the county’s qualified voters sign a petition. After a six-month campaign championed by the Arlington Green Party, the petition to create the authority got the necessary 2,845 signatures in June.

Approval is scheduled for the Board’s Tuesday meeting, its last meeting until September. The Board must approve the measure before it goes on its summer recess in order to meet the state-mandated deadline of August 16.

News

County Names New Housing Director

By Katie Pyzyk

Published June 28, 2013 at 1:30PM

Cristeal has served as the County’s Housing Development Supervisor for nine years. He is lauded for leading his team in enhancing and implementing affordable housing financing and planning tools, working with partners to leverage federal and state funding and making policy recommendations to address the county’s affordable housing challenges.

“The County conducted a nationwide search for this key position and had a strong pool of applicants,” said County Manager Barbara Donnellan in a press release. “We chose David because he has a solid track record of working successfully with Arlington community members and non-profit partners to plan and preserve affordable housing. We know he’s the right person to carry out Arlington’s aggressive affordable housing program.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 24, 2013 at 9:15AM

Arlington Popular With ‘Echo Boomers’ — Those between the ages of 25 and 34, also known as “Echo Boomers,” have increased in population by 10 percent in Arlington over the past two years. Such residents say they’re attracted to Arlington’s mix of urban amenities and suburban comfort. Instead of moving further out into the suburbs upon having kids, many Echo Boomers are opting to stay in Arlington and other areas around D.C.’s urban core. [Washington Post]

Bloomberg BNA Faces Snack Abuse — Crystal City-based Bloomberg BNA sent a memo to employees on Friday threatening to install surveillance cameras to monitor the snack pantry, after some employees were observed taking a copious amount of snacks home. Managers rescinded the threat after pushback from the employees’ union. [Jim Romenesko]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 19, 2013 at 8:50AM

County Invests in Supportive Housing — Arlington County has matched a $500,000 grant from the Arlington Community Foundation to convert 10 units at the Marbella Apartments in Rosslyn to Permanent Supportive Housing. The apartments will be offered to the county’s most vulnerable homeless residents at a rate affordable to those making about $22,500 per year. [Arlington County]

Spring Athletic Achievements — Sportswriter Dave Facinoli recounts some of the most notable achievements of Arlington teams and athletes this spring. [Sun Gazette]

News

Housing Authority Referendum to Appear on Ballot

By Katie Pyzyk

Published June 14, 2013 at 9:30AM

The referendum will ask Arlington voters to authorize the operation of a low income housing authority, similar to those in more than 25 cities and counties around the state including Alexandria and Fairfax County. The Arlington Green Party (AGP) spearheaded the signature gathering efforts.

“Arlington’s current housing assistance program has failed to stop the loss of affordable housing, and a housing authority would raise funds more easily, lower administrative costs, and provide more affordable rental units,” said AGP chairman Steve Davis. “Arlington should follow Fairfax’s County’s outstanding example with a housing authority that provides more affordable housing to more people at less cost.”

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published May 21, 2013 at 9:00AM | Updated May 21, 2013 at 9:42AM

Pierce Queen Apartments Too Costly for Tax Credits? — The Virginia Housing Development Authority has flagged the Pierce Queen Apartments project in Ft. Myer Heights as being too expensive for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The units must remain at $350,000 each to receive credit, but the Pierce Queen units come in at $402,000. The project developers asked for a little more than $2 million in tax credits. VHDA is still examining the request and will make its final decision on June 5. [Arlington Mercury]

DOD Renews Lease in Crystal City — The Department of Defense decided to renew its lease at 2530 Crystal Drive in Crystal City. The agency was expected to stay in the more than 550,000 square foot space due to money being tight within the federal government. [GlobeSt]