Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC)

This week, our Real Estate Development and Asset Management teams attended Affordable Housing Finance Live in Chicago. This conference brought together industry leaders, housing developers, and state agencies to explore the latest strategies and tools in affordable housing. From in-depth seminars on topics like green building initiatives and tax credit equity to networking with partners and exploring new opportunities, it was a valuable experience for our team. The two-day event was filled with insight, collaboration, and inspiration as we continue our mission to create and preserve affordable housing with residents at the center.

ICYMI: On November 12, we held our second Toolbox Talk webinar on why trauma-informed approaches are crucial for housing and service providers. Stefanie Bass, MSW, AHC Director of Social Services, and Michael Swisher, AHC Director of Community Engagement, shared various forms of trauma, how to identify potential symptoms, and provided effective strategies for attendees to integrate this knowledge into their work. Couldn’t make it? Access the recording: https://lnkd.in/geWX9dtz.

Our November #PartnerSpotlight is here! For nearly 10 years, Harbor Group Management Company has donated to support AHC’s Resident Services. The company also partners with us as a property manager. We’re grateful for this important partnership that helps us lift up communities and transform lives. “Harbor Group Management has a longstanding partnership with AHC, and we greatly value working with a partner who shares our commitment to providing the best possible experience to the communities we serve,” Robert S. Friedman, President of Harbor Group Management, said. Thanks for joining us in building opportunity and driving change!

Yesterday, Paul Bernard, AHC President & CEO, participated in a panel discussion during the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Nonprofit Forum: Courageous Conversations in your Nonprofit Organization and How to Navigate Challenging Issues. Paul shared how AHC overcomes obstacles in the affordable housing space and centers residents in all we do. Shoutout to fellow panelists Minal Bopaiah, Founder of Brevity & Wit, and Marla Markoff, Manager of HR Services at Insperity. Thank you to Patrick Phillippi, Senior Manager of Community Engagement at Amazon, for moderating!

On the morning of October 15, AHC resident Sharon LittleJohn received devastating news. The block where her church is located caught fire, leaving two dead, damaging 10 rowhomes, and displacing families. Yet, she had work to do. As the Outreach Coordinator at her church, Pathway Fellowship FMC, she works with First Fruits Farm, Inc. to bring fresh produce to Baltimore residents. That day, she had pledged to bring fresh food to her fellow residents at MonteVerde, an AHC community in Baltimore for seniors and non-elderly residents with disabilities. “It was what we needed because, in spite of [this], life still goes on, people are still in need, and we can still be a blessing,” Sharon said. “The fire does not stop the needs of other people.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNCArHGt. 

Big news! CSH, the Source for Housing Solutions awarded Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) a $300,000 grant to help fund predevelopment efforts and provide technical assistance to develop a permanent supportive housing program with partner Restonstrong. This grant, funded through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, comes after AHC’s David Brotman and Cindy Rozón, along with Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza from Restonstrong, completed the Virginia Supportive Housing Institute, an intensive training program offered by CSH that builds capacity in communities to create quality supportive housing. This milestone marks a significant step forward as we work together to create sustainable housing solutions and provide critical support services to families and individuals facing chronic housing instability.

Last Friday, AHC attended Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland’s 16th Annual Benefit Breakfast. We were proud to help sponsor this incredible event that brought together dynamic speakers (kudos to Ken Silverman, Jeff Dee, MA, Tawfiq Abdul-Karim, MRED, and Timothy Warner), networking opportunities, and inspiring conversations about how safe, affordable homes can transform lives and strengthen communities. It was great to see Allium Place, our upcoming community in Montgomery County with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, featured in the program. The community co-locates affordable rental and homeownership housing options. It was a privilege to join Habitat supporters, corporate partners, housing policy leaders, and elected officials in working toward lasting change.

One of the four focus areas for AHC Resident Services is economic mobility. That means helping people improve their economic and financial status throughout their lifetimes. AHC works with many partner organizations that directly connect with residents. This year, we’ve supported more than 200 residents across the region. Our partners host workshops and clinics, provide access to financial resources to keep residents in stable housing, and support skill-building and job career readiness. Check out nine ways we’re boosting economic mobility at https://lnkd.in/eiBzc9fy.

It’s time to check out our November #CommunitySpotlight! Hear from Thi Nguyen, the Resident Engagement Specialist at St. James Plaza, about how tight-knit the Alexandria apartment community is and what Resident Services means to the people living there. You’ll hear about Heart & Sole, a Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia (GOTR NOVA) program for teens, and how it’s helping our residents blossom into strong, confident young women. The community also has an onsite preschool operated by partner The Campagna Center. Come back next month for another #CommunitySpotlight!

Last month, City of Baltimore’s Register of Wills hosted a workshop for residents in our Women’s Empowerment program at Barclay Greenmount. The Honorable Belinda K. Conaway, along with staff members Ms. Green-Sanders and Katie Davis, provided valuable information on will and estate planning. This workshop was an important step in empowering our residents with the tools and knowledge to secure their futures and their families' futures.