Arlington, Va remains committed to Affordable Housing

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Due to the popularity of the schools, the shopping (Italian Store, Lebanese Taverna, Lost Dog Pizza, The Westover Farmers Market and more) and reasonable proximity to metro and Bus Transit Westover has become a hot real estate market. It’s good to see the county recommitting to providing affordable housing in this area.

Arlington County Board Moves to Preserve 68 Affordable Westover Units

  • Allocates $10.9 million for Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
  • Retaining long term affordable housing opportunities in Westover
  • Units to remain affordable for 60 years
  • APAH plans purchase and renovations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — The Arlington County Board today moved to preserve 68 affordable apartments in the Westover neighborhood, approving a $10.9 million Affordable Housing Investment Fund allocation to the non-profit Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH). The loan and associated documents will be considered by the Board in December.

APAH will use the proposed loan to help it buy market-rate units within eight apartment buildings. The affordable housing developer intends to renovate the units and guarantee their affordability to families earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income for 60 years.

“The Board’s action will help preserve both these affordable apartments and a beloved neighborhood, where we want to keep a range of housing affordability,” said Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey. “This allocation of funds implements goals of the County’s Affordable Housing Master Plan, which calls for preserving our existing stock of affordable homes.”

The Westover neighborhood has nearly 700 garden apartments, built in the 1940s, that are listed as contributing resources to the Westover National Register District. Of those units, 223 are currently committed affordable units. The nearly 470 others are market rate affordable units. In the past few years, 62 market rate affordable units in Westover have been demolished for the development of by-right luxury townhomes.

In recent months, a number of community members have expressed a desire to preserve both these historic buildings and their affordability. The County is conducting aneighborhood study for its consideration as a local historic district.

The County Board voted 5 to 0 to approve the allocation.

Background

The units currently are market rate affordable, meaning they are affordable to low-income households as a result of market pricing rather than local, state or federal affordability or income requirements. The Board’s action today is the first step in guaranteeing the affordability of the units, adding them to Arlington’s long-term committed affordable unit inventory.

The units, which APAH will purchase between late September 2016 and January 2017, would eventually – upon tenant turnover — be income-restricted to households earning 60 percent of the area median income (AMI) and below. There will be no tenant relocation at this time. Before the renovations, APAH will develop a relocation plan and present it to the tenants and the County’s Tenant-Landlord Commission.

Upgrading every unit

APAH plans to substantially renovate all 68 apartments, beginning no earlier than fall 2017, and may enlarge existing units and/or add a few new ones.

Affordable Housing Investment Fund

The Affordable Housing Investment Fund, a revolving loan fund, is the County’s main financing program for affordable housing development. Since its creation in 1988, the fund has helped create the majority of Arlington’s 7,500 affordable rental units that benefit low-income households. It provides incentives for developers through low-interest loans for new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable housing.

The fund is comprised of local and federal dollars and is also supported by loan repayments and developer contributions. For many projects, $1 of public funds can leverage $3 in private funds invested in the community. Learn more about funding affordable housing.

For more information, view item No. 57 on the September 24 County Board Meeting Regular Agenda.

Media Contacts
Jessica Margarit
703-228-3551
Gina Wimpey
703-228-3252
Arlington County Government

 

My Arlington real estate clients are the best

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Helping my Arlington, Va clients meet their goals, one home at a time.

It’s really wonderful when I am able to help someone move to the next phase of their life. We reviewed the comps for Miriams’ home closely then priced it competitively. Miriam received multiple offers, well over asking and was able to get a quick close on her home.testimonial_miriam_catching

Yay!  If you would like to know what your home is worth, you can always contact me at 571-228-5656 or janejensen@comcast.net. My only job is to understand your real estate needs and goals and help you meet them.

Open House N. Arlington, near metro.

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2321 Quantico St. Arlington, Va. 22205

Gracious all brick, 5 bedroom, 2 car garage walk to metro colonial. Looking for the best of Arlington, Va realestate? This is wonderful N. Arlington value. You will not want to miss this home that is now priced at $995,000. Check out the floor to ceiling windows in the living and dining rooms. Let that sun shine in! Gas fireplace in living room and family room. Den off the remodeled kitchen. Lower level features large family room with fireplace and wet bar + large bedroom + Full bath + storage. 2 zones. One new furnace, new hot water heater, newer windows. A few blocks to the East Falls Church metro (Orange and Silver line), and  few more to the shops and restaurants of Westover Village. Open 1-4 on Sunday September 25, 2016. Come by or call/email me to see this home. 571-228-5656. janejensen@comcast.net

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Arlington, Va Real Estate Market Statistics for August 2016

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Below are the most recent available monthly real estate statistics for Arlington County. In general year of year numbers are positive. Inventory continues to fall short of last years numbers. This along with continuing low interest rates is bolstering the average sold price. Higher priced Arlington homes are also contributing to higher total volume. 66 homes (64 detached and 2 attached) with 4 or more bedrooms closed in August. This is up from the 55 in the same period last year. The average sale price for the detached homes was $1,088,396, up almost 3% from last year. The softest spot seems to be in the lower end detached which saw small decrease in the average sales price and the condo/townhome 1-2 bedroom market which saw the average sales price fall to $481,800 from last years $550,422 for the 6 units sold. This is a snapshot of all inventory in Arlington real estate that was listed in the MLS. To get a true market analysis for your property, it’s important to look at zip codes, neighborhoods, commutes, metro access etc. When purchasing or selling a home, the only important numbers are those that a true comparables to that specific property. For other Northern Virginia Statistics or questions about your community or home, contact me at janejensen@comcast.net. 571-228-5656august2016marketstats

First Day of School in Arlington, Va

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A few scenes in the Overlee Knolls neighborhood of parents sending their children off to the first day of school. Most looked happy about it. The kids too!

Free trees from Arlington county

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Free Tree program & Biophilic Cities

Arlington County Government sent this bulletin at 09/06/2016 05:03 PM EDT

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September 6, 2016
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Tree Reservations Begin Today!

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Biophilic Cities: Incorporating Nature into Arlington’s Urban Landscapes

How do humans benefit from being close to nature? How can we foster connections with nature as Arlington County becomes more urbanized? How will these connections improve livability and quality of life?

Join us to learn about the benefits of a Biophilic City and how Arlington can participate in this movement on Thurs. Sept. 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Navy League Building, 2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington. Guest speakers include Timothy Beatley, Professor of Sustainable Communities at University of Virginia School of Architecture and Stella Tarnay, Urban Planner and Co-founder, Biophilic DC.
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Biking in Arlington and DC

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One of my most favorite things to do in my free time is bike. We are so very fortunate to have some of the best biking trails anywhere. Additionally, when biking in Arlington and DC there are many bike lanes (yes, drivers, when you see a bike painted in a lane, the bike has full access to that lane).

Here are some of the wonderful bike paths in the area courtesy of bikewashington.org:

Mount Vernon Trail: 18 Miles – PavedVery scenic trail that runs along the Potomac River to George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon. Recommended ride for visitors.

Washington & Old Dominion Trail: 45 Miles – PavedThe W&OD (pronounced “wad”) is probably the best all around trail in the area. This is a rail trail between Shirlington and Purcellville, VA.

The Custis Trail: 4 Miles – PavedThe Custis Trail runs parallel to I-66 through Arlington, VA. It connects the W&OD trail with downtown Washington DC.

Capital Crescent Trail: 13 Miles – Paved/Crushed StoneThe very popular CCT is another great rail trail project. The paved section runs from Georgetown to Downtown Bethesda. The remain section has a crushed limestone surface.

Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath: 184 Miles – Natural SurfaceMy favorite trail in the area, it runs from Washington DC all the way to Cumberland, MD. Watch for future extension to Pittsburgh, PA!Rock Creek Hiker/Biker Trail: about 20 Miles – Paved
(On Road Sections)A loose collection of paths that were eventually linked together. Not too bad in Maryland, but the DC section does leave something to be desired. The DC on-road section is closed to traffic on weekends.

Sligo Creek and Branch Trails: about 20 Miles – PavedMaryland’s Anacostia Tributary Trails start near Mt Rainier, and provides connections to Wheaton, College Park, and Greenbelt.

North Bethesda Trail: 4 Miles – Paved
(On Road Sections)This trail provides an excellent commuter connection between Rockville and Bethesda.Metropolitan Branch Trail: (proposed)This trail will run north from DC’s Union Station to Silver Spring, Maryland along the west side of the CSX Railroad tracks.

To find out where many of the trails are and all the trail in Arlington along with Capital Bikeshare locations, go here:

http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/

Today, I was fortunate enough to ride from my home (in Overlee Knolls section of Arlington, near the East Falls Church Metro), along the W&OD, to the Custis, to the Mt. Vernon Trail where I took this photo just a bit past Roosevelt Island. It was one of the picture perfect days:IMG_7101If you have a favorite ride in the area, please share in the comment section below. Happy Trails!

Rabid Racoon found in Arlington

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This from the Animal Welfare League Of Arlington (AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington seeks information about any people or pets who may have had physical exposure to a raccoon that has tested positive for rabies. An animal control officer found a sick raccoon in a cardboard box left on the street in the 1000 block of North Manchester Street on August 23, 2016. The box also contained a plastic bowl of water. The raccoon was brought to the animal shelter where it was humanely euthanized. When it was sent for testing, the raccoon was positive for rabies. We ask that anyone who may have had contact or whose pets may have had contact with any raccoon in that vicinity, please call the League at 703-931-9241.

Street closures in Arlington, Va this Weekend

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This News Release from the County:

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department will close several streets around the Pentagon and in Crystal City on Saturday, September 10th for the 2016 Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff Memorial 9/11 5K race. Listed below are the streets that will be affected.

From 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

  • Army Navy Drive closed between S. 12th Street to S. Eads Street

From 5:45 p.m. until approximately 6:30 p.m.

  • Westbound Army Navy Drive closed from S. Eads Street to S. Joyce Street                                        *****All streets crossing Army Navy Drive (including access to I-395 S/B) will be closed for approximately 20 minutes*****
  • S. Joyce Street closed from Army Navy Drive to Columbia Pike
  • Columbia Pike closed from Pentagon South Parking to S. Joyce Street
  • I-395 Northbound HOV exit to S. Eads Street will be closed.

From 5:45 p.m. until approximately 8:00 p.m.

  • Westbound Washington Boulevard closed from Memorial Bridge to I-395
  • Southbound Rt. 110 closed from Rosslyn to S. 15th Street
  • Marshall Drive closed at Rt. 110
  • S. Eads Street closed from Army Navy Drive to S. 11th Street

In addition, street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-558-2222.

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Media Contact

Ashley Savage, 703-228-4331

View this release in our newsroom

Gardening in Arlington, Va

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I am an avid gardener. I will post some photos of some of the plants I have in my yard shortly. In the mean time, I will be checking out this native plant sale.  You should too. This news is courtesy of Arlington Parks and Recreation.

 

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AUGUST 30, 2016

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Want to make your yard welcoming to local birds, bees and butterflies? Plant native and they will come! You can view the order form online at here. Order today and pick up your plants at Long Branch Nature Center on Sat. Sept. 17, 1-4 p.m. Rain date is Sun., Sept. 18, 1-4 p.m. Questions, call 703-228-6535.

Why Plant Native?  Native plants are local to our area so tolerate our crazy weather, they don’t need a lot of care once establish and they provide food and habitat for our local species.

Why Plant in the Fall? Fall is the best time of year for planting. It’s when most plants are focusing on growing and expanding their roots, which in turn helps them to come back strong in the spring. Plus, fall’s wet, mild weather means less watering is needed on your part to keep plants alive and thriving.

Habitat Restoration – Volunteer!                            

Help increase native species diversity right here in Arlington at Gulf Branch Nature Center Sat., Sept. 10, 2-4 p.m. Work parties are held monthly and are making a real difference, with the return of ferns and wildflowers, and the animals that depend on them, in areas once covered in destructive invasive plants. No registration required. Call  703-228-3403 for more information.

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Animal Senses

Eagle eyes, rabbit ears, catfish whiskers…how do animals use their senses differently or the same as humans? Join us on Sat., Sept. 10, 1-2 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center. We’ll do experiments and games to examine how animals use their senses in nature hike challenges. Details here. Register online or call 703-228-4747. Select activity #612926-D. Only $5 per person.

What’s a Teen to Do?

There are lots of fun and rewarding things for teens after school this year.  Teens will have fun, make new friends and develop skills.  Consider afterschool clubs at HB Woodlawn, Williamsburg and Kenmore and drop-in programs at Arlington Mill, Gunston, Lubber Run and Thomas Jefferson Community Centers.  Learn more here or contact OFT@arlingtonva.us. Questions? Call 703-228-0945.

Cricket Music

Join us on Tues., Sept. 6, 1–2 p.m. at Gulf Branch Nature Center to learn about crickets, the masters of autumn music. We will explore the cricket life cycle, habitats and listen to an orchestra of six-legged musicians. Details here.  Register online or call 703-228-4747. Only $5 per person.

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Northern Virginia Bird Club Walk

Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club on Wed., Sept. 7, 8:30–11 a.m. for an informal walk through Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park in search of resident and migratory birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Details here.Register online or call 703-228-4747. Use activity #612946-A. This event is free.

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