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APAH Named Developer of the Year | |
Prestigious award honors APAH for rapid growth, community involvement and commitment to resident services
The Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) names APAH Developer of the Year, its highest tribute. This signature award recognizes the outstanding overall achievement of a nonprofit affordable housing developer in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. APAH will receive the award at the HAND 20th Anniversary Annual Meeting on May 26.
"We are thrilled to recognize APAH as this year's Developer of the Year. APAH has been involved with so many innovative affordable housing projects in Arlington and it is easy to see why the judges selected them for this honor," said Executive Director Jill Norcross.
APAH President/CEO Nina Janopaul noted APAH's accomplishments in the past year:
· APAH is addressing the critical affordable housing shortage along Columbia Pike and today is this area's largest nonprofit affordable housing developer with 441 affordable units built or in development.
· An efficient developer, APAH embraces best building, finance and design practices. APAH is pioneering "Public Land for Public Good' at Arlington Mill Residences. This property will also have a unique wing of 8 efficiency units set aside for hard-to-house homeless individuals.
· APAH is deeply committed to improving the lives of our residents at Columbia Grove and expanding resident services programs to other properties.
· APAH is tireless proponent for affordable housing and increased energy efficiency and is actively engaged in the County's planning process. |
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Spring is a Busy Time for Columbia Grove Resident Services | |
"Welcome to my neighborhood" theme of art contest
Each spring APAH youth participate in an art contest sponsored by HAND (Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers). Twin sisters Jennifer and Jessica (pictured with their mother Yolanda) each received certificates for their artwork depicting the community at Columbia Grove Apartments. Recent community-building resident services activites included an Easter egg hunt and a clothing give-a-way sponsored by students from Amigos de las Americas. |
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Spotlight on Volunteers - Ginger Geoffrey and John Andelin
Community leaders help residents
Longtime APAH supporter Ginger Geoffrey and her husband, John Andelin, have become an integral part of the Resident Services Program at Columbia Grove. For the past three months, Ms Geoffrey and Mr. Andelin have prepared delicious, healthy dinners to serve to residents during educational workshops. Since these workshops take place in the evenings, offering dinner encourages entire families to participate. Recent workshops covered these topics: Understanding your child's report card, breast cancer education and how to help children with their math homework. To volunteer to provide dinner for 10-25 residents at a future workshop contact Kerry Lutz at klutz@apah.org.
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Buchanan Gardens Groundbreaking
Arlington County officials, business and nonprofit partners applaud renovation launch | | APAH Chair, Bill Fogarty welcomed more than a hundred residents, community and business leaders to celebrate the Buchanan Gardens Groundbreaking on April 28. The event commenced the three-phase major renovation of Buchanan Gardens Apartments (914 S. Buchanan Street, one block north of Columbia Pike).
Corina, a native of Guatemala who moved to Buchanan Gardens in  2009 with her eight-year old son, shared her experience at the Groundbreaking. At first, she was concerned when she heard about the change in ownership and upcoming renovations because she thought the rent would go up and she would have to move and take her son out of his school. But, she said, "APAH and Paradigm have done an excellent job of explaining to tenants that we are welcome here, and that while renovation may be an inconvenience, in the end we will all have updated and beautiful apartments. Arlington is extremely expensive, so I am grateful that APAH has given me the opportunity to raise my son in the community where I work."
Nina Janopaul, APAH President/CEO confirmed, "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; new family-size, three-bedroom units; a community room; and a playground."
Mike Scheurer, Northern Virginia liaison for the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) commended APAH's work, "VHDA is pleased to recognize APAH as one of our most valued and prominent partners, not only in northern Virginia but the entire commonwealth." |
| Meet APAH Board Member
APAH Board member helped create Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Robert Rozen, a member of APAH's Real Estate Development Co mmittee, is a partner with Washington Council Ernst & Young, a legislative services consulting firm that represents clients before Congress and the executive branch. Mr. Rozen lobbies Congress primarily on federal tax issues and represents a variety of business, association and nonprofit clients. Prior to joining the private sector, he served for many years for U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell. As Legislative Counsel for the Majority Leader he was responsible for economic policy issues involving tax, banking, health, and budget matters. In the Senate, he worked on the creation of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and managed subsequent updates and other programmatic changes over the years. The LIHTC program accounts for the majority of all affordable rental housing created in the United States today, and is the primary development tool used by APAH to build and renovate affordable housing in Arlington. For his work in and out of government in support of the LIHTC program, Mr. Rozen was selected in 2006 as one of the five original members of the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine. In addition, he has been selected by Tax Notes magazine as one of the top ten federal tax lobbyists. Mr. Rozen received his undergraduate degree from Miami University in Ohio and has law degrees from George Washington University and Georgetown University. Mr. Rozen and his wife Tobi have lived in Arlington for 30 years and their three children attended Arlington Public Schools. His wife is actively involved with two other Arlington nonprofit organizations, the Arlington Pediatric Clinic and the Arlington Food Assistance Council. | |
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APAH's Annual Fundraiser Will Be on October 19
Save the date | |
Mark your calendar for APAH's Annual Fundraiser, October 19, 2011, from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Clarendon Ballroom. We will recognize APAH's 2011 Affordable Housing Honorees. This is one of Arlington's greatest networking opportunities. |
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