The purchase of Arna Valley View Apartments from AvalonBay Communities in February enabled us to preserve this affordable community in a neighborhood with a rich cultural and ethnically diverse history. The 101-unit garden-style community includes some of the lowest priced rental units in the County's committed affordable (CAF) portfolio, and is now committed affordable for another sixty years.

We moved forward with redevelopment of our 27-unit Carlyn Springs into The Springs. We received County Board approvals in March and were awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits in June, selecting Bank of America Merrill Lynch as equity investor. Resident relocation was completed in November, and 20 households plan to return once construction is completed. Our groundbreaking is scheduled for early 2015. This five-story, 104 unit mixed use development will add 98 new accessible units affordable to low and very low income individuals and families. The Springs will also house APAH's new offices and feature an onsite resident services program.

With the openings of Arlington Mill and Arna Valley, APAH now provides housing to 1,218 Arlington households at 14 properties.

program expanded its reach to Arlington Mill and Arna Valley, and directly touched the lives of 422 residents. We continued working with our nonprofit partners to offer programs such as language and financial education classes, food donations and health fairs. We were excited to welcome new partners such as La Cocina VA, American University and the Georgetown University School of Medicine. We appreciate our many long term partners, especially the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), The Reading Connection, Greenbrier Learning Center, Arlington Thrive, Doorways for Women & Families, and the Arlington Street People's Network (A-SPAN).  

Onsite activities such as picnics, holiday parties and resident meetings brought residents together and fostered community; our Summer Book Parties, Holiday Gift Drive and Backpack Drive offered special support for our younger residents.

As many Arlington residents continue to struggle, there is still much work to be done. In 2015, we will continue our goal to develop at least 100 new affordable rental homes each year, and to expand our resident services program through effective and innovative partnerships and programs. But we can't do these alone - we rely on your help and community support.

Please make a contribution today. We are blessed by your generosity and work diligently to earn your trust as good stewards. 96 cents of every dollar you contribute goes directly to support APAH's work in developing affordable housing and promoting opportunity for our residents. Thank you again for your commitment to affordable housing and for your support of APAH's mission in Arlington. 

Best wishes for the holidays,