Arlington County adopted its first-ever Affordable Housing Master Plan (AHMP) in 2015. The goals of the AHMP are to foster an environment with an adequate supply of affordable housing that all of Arlington's residents can access and to ensure that new and preserved housing contributes to a sustainable community. In a recent Progressive Voice column for ARLNow, our Executive Director Michelle Winters had the opportunity to weigh in on how we are doing two years later.
In the column, Michelle discusses the loss of critical market-rate affordable units, the worsening political environment, and the shortage of funding in the context of the Arlington housing market. Even with negative forces working against affordable housing, there are a few bright spots in our local public policies such as loosening parking requirements, proposed incentives for private owners, and updates to the accessory dwelling ordinance. These new policies and proposals can contribute to shifting the balance towards affordable options for all of Arlington's residents.
To access the full ARLNow article click here.