 Facts / Figures
| Why is there a need for more affordable housing?
- Alexandria has lost more than half of its affordable units in the past ten years. The real estate boom, followed by the current economic downturn, has eliminated market incentives for moderately priced housing to own or rent. A dwindling pool of resources at the federal, state and local levels, and turmoil in the financial markets has further challenged this situation.
- Without affordable housing, local businesses and public services can't attract and keep good employees who can live nearby, avoiding long commutes; longtime residents find it hard to remain as rents and property taxes rise; and young people can't afford to live independently as they start out.
- The lack of affordable choice increases traffic and congestion and threatens the community's diversity, as well as its long term economic sustainability.
- The Washington DC Metro Area is the one of the most expensive rental and home ownership markets in the country.
- The Virginia Association of Realtors reports that the average market value of a single family house in Northern VA is over $500,000. At this price, a household would need a yearly income of about $122,000 to afford an average market value home in Northern Virginia.
- Median Household Income in Washington DC Metro Area for a Family of Four -- $106,100
| Median Income | $106,100 |
| Low Income | $67,600 |
| Very Low Income | $53,050 |
| 30% of Area Median | $31,850 |
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- Incomes that would allow families many housing options in other parts of the country are not sufficient in the DC Metro area to buy a home or even to rent a decent apartment.
- Housing fact: 46% of renters in Northern Virginia make too little income to afford rental units in the private housing market. To afford an average 2 bedroom unit, a minimum wage earner must work 155 hours per week.
Whom does AHDC serve?
- AHDC's target population is low to moderate income families and individuals with specific income levels driven by the financing tools used in each development project.
- Having enough affordable housing in the community benefits everyone.
What is the Housing Master Plan?
- The City of Alexandria is undertaking a process to establish a citywide Housing Master Plan to establish a comprehensive vision to guide future development with the goals of preserving and enhancing affordable housing opportunities, community diversity, and economic sustainability.
- The Housing Master Plan process began on April 1, 2010 and will conclude in the spring of 2012.
- An Advisory Group, comprised of the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee plus an additional six appointees, is spearheading the housing master plan effort and is meeting monthly. All meetings are open to the public and participation by all is encouraged.
What is the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee?
- The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee advises City Council on issues regarding the maintenance and promotion of affordable housing,
- Makes recommendations for policies governing the expenditures of the City's Housing Trust Fund monies,
- Oversees the administration of the Housing Trust Fund.
What are the Housing Trust Fund and the Housing Opportunities Fund?
- Housing trust funds are funds, usually established by state or local governments, which receive ongoing public revenues that can only be spent on affordable housing initiatives.
- These initiatives include new construction, preservation of existing housing, emergency repairs, homeless shelters, housing-related services, and multifamily building for nonprofit organizations.
- Nearly 600 housing trust funds in cities, counties and states generate more than $1.6 billion a year to support critical housing needs.
- In Alexandria the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is comprised of voluntary developer contributions for support of affordable housing.
- The HTF is part of the Housing Opportunities Fund (HOF), which also includes City of Alexandria general fund monies and federal HOME funds.
- HOME funds are the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Each year it allocates approximately $2 billion among the States and hundreds of localities nationwide.
- The HTF and HOF funds were established in 2002 in the City of Alexandria.
Other Housing Groups (Who Work in the City of Alexandria)
Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority
ARHA is the public agency established under the Virginia Housing Authority Law of 1938. Its primary mission is to provide sanitary and safe dwelling accommodations to persons of low income at rents they can afford. Low income is defined by federal, state, and local regulations. ARHA has 1,150 units in the City of Alexandria.
Community Lodging
The mission of Community Lodgings is to lift families from homelessness and instability to independence and self-sufficiency. This organization provides housing and services for nearly 25 homeless families per year, helping them to reach the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency. Community Lodging owns 55 units in the City of Alexandria. They also work with over 90 homeless and low-income children and their parents each day at their Family Learning Center, ensuring that they increase academic achievement and decrease at-risk behavior.
Homes for America
Homes for America, Inc. is a nonprofit housing corporation which specializes in developing and preserving housing for low and moderate income households and special needs populations in the mid-Atlantic states. Homes for America owns 207units in the City of Alexandria.
Rebuilding Together Alexandria
Rebuilding Together Alexandria partners with volunteers and communities to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners so that they may continue to live independently with warmth and safety. Recently RTA has been focusing on winterizing the homes they are working on and making them more energy efficient as low income housing tends to be old and energy inefficient.
Wesley Housing Development Corporation
Wesley Housing also operates in the City of Alexandria but has apartment communities located across Northern Virginia. Founded in 1974, Wesley Housing has provided quality, affordable housing for more than 15,000 low- and moderate-income Northern Virginians. Wesley owns 210 units in the City of Alexandria.
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