Arlington, VA (May 12, 2017) – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced a $700,000 award to Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) from the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. The award will provide a long-term no interest loan to support Gilliam Place, a multifamily development that will provide 173 new affordable homes in Columbia Pike’s Town Center.

“Awards from the Virginia Housing Trust Fund are an important tool to support safe, quality homes for lower-earning Virginians. I am thrilled some of the Fund is coming back to Arlington to support APAH’s Gilliam Place project on Columbia Pike,” said Delegate Alfonso Lopez. Gilliam Place is being redeveloped on the former site of Arlington Presbyterian Church, which sold the property to APAH to provide both affordable housing and a “community crossroads” for its diverse Columbia Pike neighborhood.  To meet this vision for Gilliam Place, APAH applied and won funding to support deeper affordability, enabling deeper reductions in rent on nearly 25% of the apartments. Project funding is enabling APAH to dedicate a significant portion of the 8,500 square feet of the retail space located at street level to community serving organizations, also with lower rents. “APAH is honored to be selected for a $700,000 loan from a very competitive applicant pool,” said Janopaul. “We are so grateful to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund for their support of Gilliam Place, a project that will bring so much to Arlington and the Columbia Pike community.”

The Virginia Housing Trust Fund was created to promote affordable housing and homelessness prevention across the Commonwealth. In all, Governor McAuliffe announced more than $8.4 million in awards.  The Trust’s Competitive Loan Pool is intended to create and preserve affordable housing units within the Commonwealth.  The loans support projects that will meet local affordable housing needs and support the Commonwealth’s housing policy.  Thirty-four applications were submitted requesting more than $27 million in loans.”

APAH celebrates the decision of Arlington Presbyterian Church to create the Crossroads Garden, a new and much needed green space which will be open to the community and located behind Gilliam Place at the corner of Lincoln and 9^th Streets.  Arlington Presbyterian Church will purchase back from APAH a 12,512 square foot property and plans to redevelop the space into an outdoor, community gathering and worship space.  “We imagine Crossroads Garden as a space of spiritual renewal and a place where people of all faiths can come and reconnect to the rhythms of nature,” said Susan Etherton, chair of Arlington Presbyterian Church’s Moving Forward Team. “We look forward to reaching out to our neighbors as we plan for this space that we hope will be home to worship services, labyrinth walks, musical events, and fun and educational programs for children.”

“APAH is delighted that both Gilliam Place and Crossroads Garden will enrich and serve the people of Columbia Pike,” noted Janopaul.  “We are especially pleased to continue and deepen our collaboration with Arlington Presbyterian Church as they continue to shape their new work and ministry.”

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Download the Press Release here.

About Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH)

APAH is a nonprofit that develops, preserves, owns and advocates for quality rental housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income families and promotes opportunity for residents through partnerships and programs. APAH works exclusively in Arlington County.  Founded in 1989, APAH now helps over 1,300 households live in stable, secure and affordable rental homes.

About Gilliam Place

APAH will break ground on Gilliam Place in summer 2017. Located on a 54,000 sq. ft. site, previously the home of Arlington Presbyterian Church, Gilliam Place is in the heart of Columbia Pike Town Center. Gilliam Place will add 173 new affordable apartments in two adjacent buildings – the East and West – that will operate cooperatively. The development will provide 68 two and three-bedroom apartments for families. Seventeen units will be barrier-free in order to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Features include approximately 8,500 sq. ft. of ground floor civic/retail space and community rooms for resident and community programs. Gilliam Place will be certified EarthCraft Multifamily Platinum, a high standard for sustainability.

About Arlington Presbyterian Church

Arlington Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is a forward-thinking congregation that has been active on Columbia Pike since its founding in 1908.  The redevelopment of its former church property into affordable housing and a community crossroads space is the result of a multi-year faith journey that shaped the church’s vision for the future and desire to serve its community through expanded affordable housing. The congregation currently worships at the Arlington United Methodist Center, 716 S. Glebe Road, and looks forward to its return to Columbia Pike.