News from Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH)

September 20, 2011

Honoring APAH Annual Fundraiser Sponsors

Vornado/Charles E. Smith is APAH's Grand Sponsor

Please join APAH for our Annual Fundraiser on Wednesday, October 19, from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Clarendon Ballroom. "The Fundraiser honors two affordable housing advocates and raises funds to help APAH expand its mission of owning and developing quality affordable rental housing," said APAH President/CEO Nina Janopaul.

In last month's e-News we introduced our honorees, Charles (Charlie) Rinker, affordable housing advocate, and John Milliken, former Arlington County Board member and partner, Venable LLP.

Vornado/Charles E. Smith executives Sang Park (VP, Residential), Mitch Bonanno (SVP, Development) & Mitchell Schear (President) present sponsorship to Nina Janopaul (APAH President/CEO) & John Milliken (2011 Honoree)

This month we graciously acknowledge the generous support of Vornado/Charles E. Smith as our Grand Sponsor. Vornado/Charles E. Smith is the largest property owner in Arlington, with a long standing commitment to the community."Vornado/Charles E. Smith is delighted to honor John Milliken, who has made such a significant positive impact on affordable housing over his career," said Mitchell Schear, President Vornado/Charles E. Smith. Look for your invitation in the mail. Join our growing list of sponsors. The deadline for sponsorship is October 1.

AFAC Brings Food to Columbia Grove Residents

Partnership with local food bank helps residents with food insecurity

Sep2011-AFAC at CG Through a new partnership with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), there is now a weekly supplemental food distribution onsite at Columbia Grove. Initially the distribution served 20 families but the number has grown steadily. APAH has now referred 65 Columbia Grove families who qualify to receive weekly supplemental food (chicken or hot dogs, fresh milk and eggs, canned goods, fresh produce, oatmeal or rice and other items) valued at $56-$108 depending on family size. AFAC serves 1,350 families weekly and estimates that 15,000 Arlington residents are food insecure. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs due to lack of financial resources.

Resident Picnics at Columbia Grove and Courthouse Crossings

Having fun and strengthening APAH's communities

APAH hosted two resident picnics in August to celebrate the end of summer Sep2011-CGPicnic and build community among residents. For the first time APAH held a resident picnic at the North Arlington 112-unit Courthouse Crossings Apartments. Over 150 residents atte Sep2011-CHCPicnic nded APAH's third annual Columbia Grove picnic. They sampled the food and learned more about Arlington resources. Children enjoyed crafts, the Moon Bounce and activities provided by Greenbrier Learning Center AmeriCorps volunteers. These family-oriented, community events were sponsored in part by the Kiwanis Club of Arlington.

Backpack Drive a Great Success

New backpacks reach more school-age residents

Two-hundred and fifty young APAH residents in grades K-12 were excited to Sep2011-Backpacks

receive much-needed new backpacks chock full of school supplies. APAH invites residents to apply and each year the number of school-age residents has steadily increased. We deeply appreciate donations from nearly a hundred Arlington residents including parishioners from St. Mary's Episcopal Church, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and businesses including The Reznick Group that poured into APAH in July and August. APAH staff distributed backpacks at all 12 APAH properties.

Virginia Housing Trust Fund

Fund would provide financial support for affordable housing statewide

The Virginia Housing Coalition (VHC) is coordinating a statewide effort to pass legislation to create a Virginia Housing Trust Fund during the 2012 General Assembly session. The fund would provide statewide financial support for affordable housing. The recently released report, "The Economic Impact of a Housing Trust Fund on the Virginia Economy," makes the case for a housing trust fund. Thirty-nine states have housing trust funds and, in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria have housing trust funds which support affordable housing. Virginia had a state housing trust fund, but it was eliminated in the 1990s for budget reasons.