| Secret Santa/Adopt-a-Family Helps Record Number
Donors connect with APAH families in need | A total of 113 APAH families with children had a happier holiday thanks to the generosity of many donors. APAH donors supported 406 residents, including 208 children under the age of 18. This is up  from 2010. "The 32% increase shows that, in spite of Arlington's strong economy, some of our lowest income neighbors are experiencing very difficult times," said APAH President/CEO Nina Janopaul. APAH's program matches families with a broad-based community of donors including individuals, businesses and the faith-based community. Our largest donor, Universalist Unitarian Church of Arlington, adopted 51 families. Gifts included clothing, household items, toys and gift cards.
Residents at Columbia Grove and Marbella Apartments were also treated to a holiday party. At Marbella, Delegate Patrick Hope donned a Santa costume and distributed small gifts to the children.
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| Weatherization Project Targets Energy Bills
Teams of volunteers retrofit APAH apartments | The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE), funded by a grant from Arlington County, are working together with volunteer teams to weatherize apartments at APAH's Courthouse Crossings and Marbella Apartments. Residents will learn how to decrease excessive energy consumption and water use. By reducing utility bills residents can increase their economic stability. Teams are trained to install weather stripping, caulk, insulate water pipes, install energy efficient power strips, replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and install water-saving aerators and toilet tummies in bathrooms. Residents must sign up for the program and provide utility bills before and after installation so that ACE can analyze results. 150 households are eligible; the first 20 Marbella households were weatherized in early January.  |
| Meet New APAH Chair
Longtime APAH Board member takes leadership role |  Rita Bamberger, Principal and Senior Vice President of The Holladay Corporation, was unanimously elected Chair of the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) commencing January 2012. "We are fortunate to have Rita's leadership, real estate development experience, familiarity with Arlington County and deep commitment to affordable housing at a time of tremendous growth for APAH," said Nina Janopaul, APAH President/CEO. An Arlington resident, Ms. Bamberger joined the APAH Board 13 years ago, when APAH owned just 200 units in North Arlington and some of the original founders were still on the Board. "The founders were an inspiring example of community spirit." Ms. Bamberger said. "Since then APAH has become a skilled affordable housing developer. I look forward to working with the County, nonprofit partners and the private sector as APAH explores innovative ways to increase the amount of committed affordable housing in Arlington - which is vital to keeping our community diverse and inclusive." |
| A Word of Thanks
APAH donors helped more residents in 2011 | On behalf of the 995 APAH households, we greatly appreciate the kindness of our donors who contributed:
- Secret Santa gifts to 113 APAH families
- Over 250 backpacks filled with school supplies that were distributed to school-age children at APAH's 12 properties
- Time as volunteers at APAH's many resident services events providing food, child care and expertise
- Foundations and grantors who have invested in APAH's capacity-building needs and resident services
- Sponsorship of our Annual Fundraiser and cash contributions from individual donors throughout the year.
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| APAH Year in Review
2011 is a year of growth, new resident services and recognition | Last year was an amazing year for APAH and included these accomplishments:
- APAH purchased 134-unit Marbella Apartments, preserving this committed affordable community.
- Arlington Mill Residences progressed through permitting, received an allocation of low income housing tax credits and finalized the ground lease with Arlington County.
- Thirty APAH families moved into the first phase of the major renovation of Buchanan Gardens.
- New bilingual resident services coordinators joined APAH staff working with our North and South Arlington residents.
- APAH advocated for ambitious affordable housing goals as part of the Columbia Pike Land Use and Housing Study.
- APAH was honored by the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) as Developer of the Year.
- APAH was recognized by the Arlington Community Foundation (ACF) as one of three nonprofits to win their first ever Prize for Innovation and Impact.
- APAH received grants from Freddie Mac, Citi, Bank of America, Philip L. Graham Fund, the Geary-O'Hara Foundation, Enterprise, Venable LLP and Capital One.
- Volunteers and nonprofits helped APAH residents including AFAC, Greenbrier Learning Center, Amigos de las Americas, American Pharmacists Association, Make Kids Smile Foundation, Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and ACE.
- To read more: APAH's Annual Report.
In this year of bounty, we are concerned about the federal climate that is spreading doubts about our major federal housing programs. We are facing significant cuts in the federal HOME and CDBG programs next year. In partnership with Arlington County, APAH will continue to explore innovative and effective development and funding strategies to help Arlington achieve its affordable housing goals so that hard-working, low-wage earners can live in the community where they work. |
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