Members of the Arlington government’s Tenant-Landlord Commission are aiming to forge deeper bonds with both its constituencies.
At the advisory panel’s Feb. 12 meeting, commission chair David Timm said the body was seeking to “cultivate some relationships” among tenant groups at some of Arlington’s larger apartment complexes.
A recent spike upward in the number of price cuts in the Arlington housing market could be connected to local and regional economic anxiety.
A key expert in the field tells ARLnow the data will be worth watching, but it is still too early to tell whether it is a one-time blip or the start of a more significant trend.
Possible changes to Arlington rules on lot coverage could affect how large swaths of the county can be developed — and also make numerous existing homes out of step with zoning regulations.
County Board members on Feb. 25 directed staff to begin preparatory work to study if it makes sense to change how permeable surfaces on a lot are calculated.
Facing ongoing gentrification issues, Arlington’s historically Black communities are trying to preserve the social cohesiveness that helped residents triumph over past struggles.
“It used to be [that] when something happened, the community coalesced. It’s not what it used to be — some people don’t want to be bothered,” said Wilma Jones, who has written extensively about her Halls Hill/High View Park community.
The civic association representing residents living adjacent to the planned Melwood development project near Crystal City is taking a last stab at slowing down the approval process.
“It is time to take a pause and do better for this neighborhood,” said Stacy Meyer, vice president of the Aurora Highlands Civic Association, in a letter to County Board members. “We need the County Board to listen to its residents who have been very clear about opposing this project.”
Legislation to give Falls Church more tools to promote affordable-housing development is moving forward in Richmond.
Two companion bills, if approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, would add Falls Church to the list of Virginia localities allowed to craft a program related to affordable dwelling units through their zoning ordinances.
Falls Church officials are nearing a decision on an ordinance that would make it easier to build accessory-dwelling units.
A vote on the ordinance is expected in late March or April. At a Council work session last week, however, there was a split between elected leaders and top staff on how much remaining public input is advisable before the matter goes to a vote.
Developers’ emphasis on building apartments instead of condos in Arlington is proving a challenge for efforts to expand local homeownership opportunities.
County Board member Maureen Coffey lamented the lack of new condominium stock, particularly in more affordable price ranges, during a discussion of the situation at the Jan. 16 Housing Commission meeting.
Arlington’s Tenant-Landlord Commission plans to look into potential updates of the county government’s tenant-relocation guidelines.
There’s an opportunity here,” chair David Timm said at the body’s Jan. 8 meeting. “Even if there’s nothing that desperately needs revision, there are things we can improve upon.”
A towering, well-loved willow oak in Ashton Heights came down today (Monday) to make way for a new single-family home.
The downfall of the tree at 502 N. Jackson Street came despite the efforts of many nearby residents, who posted messages, poems and letters of protest on the oak’s trunk in recent days.
Arlington’s homes market saw a slight year-over-year decline in sales in 2024 — but prices kept rising.
A total of 2,196 properties changed hands during the year, according to preliminary figures reported by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.
Proposals for new and expanded support of lower- and moderate-income Arlington homeowners could run into budget headwinds in 2025.
County staff closed out 2024 by presenting a host of proposals to County Board members. They aim to support those priced out of the county’s housing market, as well as those who already are homeowners but are having difficulties maintaining their properties.
