The year 2021 has been filled with action, insights, and meaningful reflection for the Alliance for Housing Solutions (AHS). While the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continued to impact the lives of many in our community, AHS worked tirelessly alongside Arlington County, our partners in affordable housing, our dedicated supporters, and fellow residents to increase the supply of affordable housing through public education, policy development, advocacy, and innovation.
As an eventful year draws to a close, we look back on the progress, successes, and noteworthy achievements for AHS and affordable housing in Arlington.
1. Diversifying Our Board of Directors
In January, AHS welcomed three new members to our board of directors: Kellen MacBeth, Kitty Clark Stevenson, and Cicely Whitfield. These esteemed business and community leaders bring knowledge, talent, and a diversity of lived experiences to AHS along with a steadfast commitment to our mission.
2. Advocating for Missing Middle Housing in Arlington
In partnership with the Langston Boulevard Alliance and with support from Virginia Housing, AHS stepped up advocacy efforts for expanded housing choice in Arlington throughout 2021. In January, we launched MissingMiddleArlington.net, an educational resource and hub for all the latest developments, news, events, and conversations around Missing Middle Housing. In March, we released an animated educational video about the benefits of Missing Middle Housing in the County. And in July, we created a video series featuring insights from local experts on how more housing options will benefit our environment, community diversity, livability, and the County's growing senior population.
AHS believes that while Missing Middle Housing is not the solution to all of Arlington’s affordable housing challenges, it is an essential piece of the larger puzzle to help meet the diverse housing needs of all Arlingtonians.
3. Reviewing the Affordable Housing Master Plan
This year, Arlington County kicked off a five-year review of its Affordable Housing Master Plan, a policy framework and vision created to meet affordable housing needs through 2040. As part of this effort, Arlington released a comprehensive five-year report highlighting the achievements under the plan’s three overarching goals:
GOAL 1: Supply
Arlington County shall have an adequate supply of housing available to meet community needs.GOAL 2: Access
Arlington County shall ensure that all segments of the community have access to housing.GOAL 3: Sustainability
Arlington County shall ensure that its housing efforts contribute to a sustainable community.
4. Making Space to Age in Place
In March, Arlington residents and community leaders joined AHS for a webinar to explore ways to improve Arlington’s livability for seniors and increase Missing Middle Housing in the County. The conversation was moderated by Maureen Markham (Arlington Neighborhood Village) and featured panelists Danielle Arigoni (Director, AARP Livable Communities) and Erica Wood (Arlington Age-Friendly Task Force). Issues discussed included impending demographic shifts, Arlington’s livability, and universal design.
5. Increasing Critical Housing Investments During Covid-19
In response to advocacy efforts by AHS and other concerned organizations, the County Board increased housing investments in its final FY 2022 budget following proposed cuts to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) by the County Manager. The County Board responded by accepting many of our requested changes, including :
Increasing funding for AHIF, bringing the total in the FY 2022 budget to $16.9 million
Maintaining expanded COVID-related eligibility criteria for existing recipients of Housing Grants using one-time funds
Reducing Housing Grants client’s contribution towards rent from 40% to 30% of income using ongoing funds
6. Convening Voices on Missing Middle Housing at the Leckey Forum
In June, Arlington residents and community leaders joined AHS for an educational and inspiring conversation about Missing Middle Housing at the 2021 Leckey Forum. The discussion was framed by opening remarks from Samia Byrd, Arlington’s Chief Race and Equity Officer, who emphasized the need to approach Missing Middle Housing from an equity mindset.
Byrd was followed by Keynote speaker Daniel Parolek, co-founder of Opticos Design and the author of Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today’s Housing Crisis, who discussed the top five mistakes localities are making when implementing Missing Middle Housing. He was joined by local housing experts Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center and Eric Maribojoc of the George Mason University Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship who contributed their insights and experiences during an in-depth discussion. The panel was moderated by Ginger Brown of the Langston Boulevard Alliance.
7. Investing in Affordable Housing
In July, Amazon announced it will donate $40 million in vacant land on Crystal House parcels, creating more than 550 new affordable homes in the County. The announcement is a part of Amazon’s commitment earlier this year to provide $381.9 million in low-interest rate loans and grants to the Washington Housing Conservancy through its Housing Equity Fund.
8. Expanding Housing Choice: The Missing Middle Housing Study
After a year-long study, Arlington County released Expanding Housing Choice: The Missing Middle Housing Study Phase 1 Report in September. Highlights include:
Clarity about the meaning of “Missing Middle”
Community priorities related to enabling more housing choice and supply
Concerns related to enabling more housing choice and supply
Housing types to study in Phase 2
Scope of analysis in Phase 2
Schedule for Phase 2
9. Honoring a Trio of Arlington Housing Leaders
In November, AHS convened Arlington residents, housing advocates and leaders, and elected officials for the 13th annual Ellen M. Bozman Affordable Housing Award celebration. Together, we honored Elder Julio Basurto, Nina Janopaul, and the Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple for their leadership in affordable housing.
10. Transitioning to New AHS Leadership
In November, AHS said goodbye to executive director Michelle Winters after five years of outstanding and thoughtful leadership. As we enter an exciting new chapter, AHS seeks a new part-time executive director who is familiar with affordable housing issues and the political, community life, and processes that drive decision-making in Arlington County, Virginia.
Thank you for believing in and working toward an Arlington where people from all walks of life are welcome and can afford to live. As AHS continues to build on our success and momentum in 2022, please support our efforts with a year-end gift today.
If donating by mail, please send checks to:
Alliance for Housing Solutions
PO Box 7009
Arlington, VA 22207