| Mark your Calendar for APAH Events
Buchanan Gardens Groundbreaking on April 28 | |
We have much to celebrate! APAH is breaking ground on Buchanan Gardens
 Apartments on April 28, from 5:00 pm-6:30 pm. Residents, relocated temporarily during our three-phase renovation, will return to an apartment community that has increased energy efficiency, all new systems and finishes, new interior fixtures and appliances, family-size units, a community room and a playground. View invitation and RSVP today.
APAH Annual Fundraiser on October 19
Mark your calendar for APAH's Annual Fundraiser, October 19, 2011, from 5:30 pm-8:00 pm. Join us at the Clarendon Ballroom. |
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Columbia Grove Summer Camp Workshop
Residents learn about programs for school-age children | |
 Dulce Carrillo, from Arlington County's Parks and Recreation and Cultural Resources Division, gave a presentation in Spanish about local summer camps to 20 Columbia Grove parents. She explained the discounts available to all families who qualify for free or reduced lunch, the registration process and the importance of keeping children engaged during the summer. Many parents commented that they were not previously aware of affordable summer programs for their children.
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| Arlington County Preserves Committment to Affordable Housing but Will the Federal Government?
Budget supports small increase in housing grants and permanent supportive housing | |
Arlington County Manager Barbara M. Donnellan proposed small increases in safety net services totaling $11.3 million for FY2012, an increase of $1.3 million or 13 percent over last year. If the County Manager's budget is adopted:
- Housing grants will increase by $632,500. This Arlington County program, that provides a housing subsidy to eligible needy persons, has experienced double digit growth since 2008.
- Permanent supportive housing, the program to move individuals out of shelters, will also be increased by $467,000.
The County Board invites public comment on the proposed budget on March 22 and on tax rates and fees on March 24 before they vote on April 16.
The real threat to affordable housing and safety net programs comes from the federal government. Federal funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Community Services Block Grants (CSBG) are uncertain, according to Arlington's Community Development Coordinator Jane Eboch. The County awards these funds to area nonprofits to deliver housing and human services to low and moderate income persons and neighborhoods. Without this federal funding, Arlington will be dependent on local funds for these critical programs.
Congress has been funding the current year's budget through continuing resolutions (CRs) since October. The House and Senate must resolve big differences. The House is proposing a 60+% cut to CDBG funding and discontinuing the CSBG program; the Senate maintains the CDBG program at current levels. For the next fiscal year beginning in October 2011, the President is proposing a 7.5% reduction to the CDBG program, 50% reduction to CSBG. |
| APAH and Doorways Reach Milestone in Innovative Partnership
Doorways now has 31 percent ownership in APAH's Cameron Commons |
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L to R: Nina Janopaul, Kim Painter, Doorways client, Caroline Jones |
APAH and Doorways for Women and Families recently achieved a major milestone in their innovative partnership that enables Doorways to house five families in family-size, safe and stable apartments at extremely low rents while providing needed social services. Doorways now has a 31 percent ownership stake in at APAH's 16-unit Cameron Commons Apartments.
"APAH is committed to strengthening Arlington by expanding its affordable housing options. Our partnership with Doorways is an important part of this work, providing homes for hard-to-house, very low-income families," said Nina Janopaul, President/CEO of APAH.
"This is a major milestone that will keep more families in our community from experiencing homelessness. By owning five apartments, we're able to expand the safety net for more vulnerable families, providing them with a quality place to live and services to stabilize their lives," explained Caroline Jones, Doorways' Interim Executive Director.
Doorways' HomeStart program offers housing stability through rental subsidies and intensive support through weekly home visitation that is focused on skill building to prevent the recurrence of homelessness and domestic violence. As the families' stability increases, rental assistance progressively decreases. |
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Contribute to APAH via United Way and CFC
Support APAH through workplace contributions | |
APAH depends heavily on generous contributions by individuals and business partners to increase capacity and support our resident services programs. Our resident services programs build more stable and self-sufficient residents by promoting workplace skills, improving health and well-being; building community and providing individual case management to families at risk of homelessness. Affordable housing provides this essential platform for creating stronger families and communities. Please help us by designating APAH in workplace contributions -- United Way - 8403; CFC - 89862. |
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