This definition of “affordable” leaves out many people who are essential to Arlington’s workforce and economic success – childcare workers, home health aides, food prep workers, among so many others – who in 2024 made, on average, less than $46,410/year if working full-time (many are not).
Deep affordability means that more families can live in a safe, quality apartment that they can afford, with rents typically below $1,000 per month for a 2-bedroom. This not only prevents housing instability and homelessness, but it also alleviates financial stress for Arlington’s essential families. ACF’s many pilots demonstrate what people do when they have this financial “breathing room”… and it’s life-changing.
Yet, while there are an estimated 8,000+ renter households earning 30% AMI or less in Arlington (almost 8% of all Arlington households), in 2023, the County’s reported Commited Affordable Units (CAFs) included a total of only 89 CAFs at 30% AMI and another 229 at 40% AMI, together represening just under 3% of all CAFs.
Based on advocacy and analysis led by ACF, the County Board has invested an additional $1 million to “buy-down” apartments to rents affordable to families and individuals earning less than 30% AMI. This is the first time in Arlington’s budget history that funds are specifically earmarked for deep housing affordability at 30% AMI.
The County is doing this in part to work towards a policy that 10% of all affordable properties include apartments at this affordability level. This is possible because the County deploys funds through its Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) to incentivize the construction and refinancing of committed affordable units throughout the County.
ACF will continue to work with County leadership and housing advocates to achieve deep affordability policy throughout the county – i.e., that 10% of all homes in new or refurbished affordable properties have units that are deeply affordable at 30% AMI. This includes updating the Affordable Housing Master Plan (AHMP) to reflect this goal, and exploring other incentives.
Based on most recent available data (June 2024)
When it comes to achieving deeply affordable housing in Arlington, as the old saying goes, “knowledge is power.” Learning the lingo, getting to know those working in this space, and staying in touch is a great start!
