AHS is engaged in research-based policy development, facilitation, and public education and advocacy. 2007 highlights include:

Policy research and development

• Commissioned surveys of affordable housing policies and programs in other high land cost communities and of rising operating costs affecting privately owned market rate affordable rental units.



• Developed a comprehensive affordable housing strategy which encompasses building new units and initiatives to preserve existing market rate affordable units, based on the results of the two surveys.



• Proposed a regional study, with the GMU Center for Public Policy, of economic impacts of the shortage of affordable housing on public and private sector. Currently seeking funding
  


• Developing a study of Arlington’s site plan review process and its effect on the creation of new affordable housing projects.



• Arranged for a national expert on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinances to meet with Arlington County staff and members of Housing Commission subcommittee developing a proposed ADU ordinance for Arlington.



• Instigated discussions between a non-profit developer, for-profit developer, and the County, which could result in the addition of a significant number of affordable units in a major mixed use redevelopment project.



• Brought together representatives of the private sector (the Arlington Chamber, landowners, developers, business groups) and non-profit developers to begin to develop and promote a comprehensive affordable housing strategy.



• Worked to connect faith communities with sources of technical and financial assistance to convert unneeded church-owned land to affordable housing sites.

• 5th Annual Thomas Leckey Forum—The Faces of Affordable Housing—which attracted more than 130 persons from Northern Virginia and Maryland.



• Conducted teach-ins and an annual community forum for the faith community.



• Developed a web page and the capacity to communicate with AHS sponsors and interested persons on policy and development issues.



• Helped organize a large turn out to support the Clarendon Views project and testified at numerous County meetings on affordable housing projects and policies.



• Participated in regional affordable housing activities and policy discussions.

P.O. Box 7009   •   Arlington, VA 22207   •   (703)536-7694 execdir@allianceforhousingsolutions.org