New affordable apartments coming to Arlington – The Washington Post – January 11, 2016
New affordable apartments coming to Arlington – The Washington Post – January 11, 2016
While Arlington County may be known as a wealthy inner suburb of the District, the Census Bureau says that 8 percent of the population there lives below poverty level.
Affordable housing is in constant demand in the county as it is elsewhere in the Washington region. Last month, the Arlington County Board unanimously approved the plan for Gilliam Place, a new development on the site of the Arlington Presbyterian Church in Columbia Pike’s Town Center.
The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), a nonprofit organization that develops, preserves and advocates for affordable quality rental housing for low- and moderate-income families, began working with the church in 2012 on Gilliam Place, which will provide 173 new affordable apartments as well as 8,950 sq ft of ground floor retail and civic space.
Rents have not been announced yet.
The new building, which is designed to meet Earthcraft Platinum standards for environmental efficiency and sustainability, will have 17 barrier-free units for disabled residents and multiple services for residents.
The units will be marketed to low-income individuals and families and active seniors.
In March, APAH will apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) allocated by the Virginia Housing Development Authority. If the tax credits are approved, construction will start in 2017 and the units will be ready for occupancy in late 2018.
