HomeFront

AHC Inc. is a private, nonprofitdeveloper of low- and

moderate-income housing.Founded in 1975, AHC producesand preserves affordable rentalhousing; provides homeownership

services; and offers on-siteeducational services to improvethe quality of residents’ lives.

AHC believes it takes more thanbricks and mortar to build a suc-

cessful future. In 1993, recognizing themany challenges faced by low-incomefamilies and individuals, AHC beganoffering onsite educational services atone of our community centers. Over theyears, the program has grown immensely.Today, AHC provides services to morethan 1,800 children, teens and adultsevery year, operating from eightcommunity centers.

Programs include:• After-School Program – focuses on

improving literacy among elementarystudents

• Teen Tutoring – provides one-on-onementoring and homework help

• Youth Alliance and ProjectDiscovery – helps teens preparefor life after high school

• Summer Camp – provides both

15 Years of Helping Youth, Teens andFamilies Build a Better Future

educational and fun programs forchildren and teens

• Adult Programs – includes Englishlanguage classes, financial workshopsand parenting courses

• Senior Programs – keeps seniorsactive and engaged

Many hands contribute to makingthese programs work, including 14 full-time AHC staff members, four part-timeemployees, close to 100 volunteers anddozens of community partners.

The effort is paying off. Some of thechildren who have grown up in AHC’sprograms are now working toward –or are enrolled in – college. Youngerchildren are dramatically improvingtheir reading skills and families arestrengthening their financial planningand parenting skills.

For a look at some new ResidentServices programs, turn to page 4.

Inside HomeFront

Vol. 35 No. 1 Building Affordable Homes and Strong Futures Since 1975 Spring 2009

Homeownership page 5

Resident Services page 4

Affordable Properties page 2

Almost 50 children and teens are enjoying the after-school and teen programs atAHC’s new Gates of Ballston community center.

Resident Services

Page 2 The HomeFront

Affordable Properties

AHC Expands Affordable Housing Opportunities

Although the tough economy is making financing more challenging,AHC is continuing to develop additional affordable housing in

the mid-Atlantic region. AHC is currently involved with 34 activeproperties, including several projects under construction or renova-tion. Altogether these rental communities provide housing for morethan 4,100 families. Following isan overview of AHC’s recent andupcoming projects.

Now AvailableAHC’s newest affordable propertiesare the 94-unit Shelton in Arlington’sNauck neighborhood and 29 homesin Gaithersburg – the first AHCproject in Montgomery County.

The Shelton, ArlingtonThe brand new 94-unit Sheltonreplaces an aging apartment com-plex that offered just 22 units. “Weworked hand-in-hand with thecommunity to meet their needs andmaximize the number of affordableapartments,” explains Joe Weatherly,project manager.

Designed by Bonstra-HaresignArchitects and built by HarkinsBuilders, the U-shaped buildingsurrounds an open courtyard withan inviting playground. One of theproject’s biggest achievements is not

even visible – putting theutilities undergroundand moving the existinggas, water and sewerlines. This effort resultedin reworking more than

a mile of conduit and costing morethan $2 million in unanticipatedexpense.

Residents appreciate the large,light-filled apartments and the closeproximity to public transportation,community stores and DrewElementary School. KatherineRucker, an Arlington native, choseThe Shelton because it’s near herchurch and friends in the neighbor-hood. “The apartments are big andvery nice,” says Rucker. “It’s veryquiet here and the people seem tobe friendly.”

Katherine Rucker, Sheltonresident, and Walter Powell,enjoy The Shelton’sconvenience.

Ashmore at Germantown,Montgomery CountyWorking closely with MontgomeryCounty Department of Housing andCommunity Affairs, AHC recently

acquired 29 brand new condo-miniums to operate as long-termaffordable rental housing. Thehomes, which were built formarket-rate sale and include ahost of upscale amenities, will beavailable to households earningup to 55 percent of the AreaMedian Income ($54,120 for afamily of four).

The 404-unit developmentis within walking distance ofshops and schools and alsoincludes a community centerand a large outdoor pool.

AHC’s partnership with Montgomery Countycreated 29 affordable rental homes in anew condominium community.

Leasing InformationTo find out rental details for theseAHC projects, please contact AHCManagement, a full service propertymanagement company specializingin affordable housing. AHCManagement is a subsidiary of AHCInc., and also provides relocationservices, resident services, and inter-im property management services.

For Virginia properties: 703-271-8400. For Baltimore properties:410-685-0366. Or, check the AHCwebsite: www.ahcinc.org

The HomeFront Page 3

Kirkwood House is one of two renovationprojects underway in Baltimore to provide500+ affordable apartments for seniors.

Coming SoonAHC has three new construc-tion projects underway inArlington and Richmond.

Atlantic at Brook Run,RichmondNearly completed, the Atlanticat Brook Run provides 120units for independent seniorsin Richmond. The communityoffers an activity-enrichedenvironment with communityrooms, craft room, billiardroom, resident lounges andbeauty salon.

The Jordan, ArlingtonJordan Manor was recently demol-ished to make way for 90 new afford-able apartments near the corner ofGlebe Road and Wilson Boulevard inArlington. The Jordan is expected tobe ready for occupancy in 2011.

Macedonia Apartments, ArlingtonRecently approved for additionalfunding through Arlington County,the 36-unit project is a partnershipamong AHC, the Macedonia BaptistChurch, and the Bonder andAmanda Johnson CommunityDevelopment Corporation.Construction on the apartments,located on Shirlington Road in theNauck neighborhood, is expectedto begin next summer.

Under RenovationAHC is currently renovatingthree major projects – onein Arlington and two inBaltimore. During renova-tions, AHC Management’sstaff works hard to make theprocess as painless as possi-ble by holding regular tenantmeetings, assisting withpacking and moving, andproviding individual care toresidents with special needs.

Westover, ArlingtonBuilt in the 1940s, Westoveris a 153-unit, two-storygarden apartment communityon Washington Boulevard. Theseven-acre complex is being totallyrenovated, including new windows,heating and air conditioningsystems, kitchens and bathrooms.The historic renovation is expectedto be completed in summer 2010.Models are now open.

MonteVerde, BaltimoreThe $30 million renovation, whichpreserves 301 affordable apartmentsfor seniors and non-elderly disabledindividuals, should be completedin early 2010. Work includes newplumbing, heating and air condi-tioning systems, windows, roof,

kitchens and baths. A new entranceis being built to connect MonteVerde’stwo 13-story buildings and upgradethe common areas.

Kirkwood House, BaltimoreGreater Baltimore AHC teamedup with Apartment InvestmentManagement Company (Aimco),to acquire Kirkwood House in late2008. The 261-unit apartment is aproject-based, Section 8 property forseniors. The $7.1 million renovationwill be completed in late 2009.

Macedonia Apartments will provide 36 new affordable homes in Nauck.

Jordan Manor makes way for new 90-unitaffordable community.

Page 4 The HomeFront

Building Literacy One Child at a Time

AHC’s After-School Program,which serves 125 elementary

students across Arlington, is makingliteracy a top priority and has creat-ed several special programs to buildchildren’s skills. Here are a few:

Journals for Literacy. At VirginiaGardens, Resident ServicesManager Mary Zambrano has

created a journal project to buildliteracy. Since the beginning of theschool year, after-school teachershave been reading books to 1st and2nd graders, and asking them to

respond to questions by writingand drawing in their journals. Thechildren’s writing abilities and con-fidence have increased dramatical-ly. “The children are expandingtheir vocabulary, making connec-tions between books and their ownlives, and showing a greater abilityto communicate abstract thoughts,”explains Zambrano.

Funny Bones. AHC also has acommitment to building literacyin the community. One of AHC’scommunity partners, RandolphElementary School in Arlington,is connecting humor to languageskills in an after-school program for2nd and 3rd graders. Created byPrincipal Renee Bostick, the FunnyBones program encouragesyoungsters, many of whom arefrom families where English is asecond language, to have more funwith language while building theirvocabulary and comprehension.Children choose a joke, write it ona bone-shaped card, and share itwith other students and teachers.The children are increasingly pick-ing up on the language subtletiesthat make jokes work.

Students increase vocabulary – and laughter – with Randolph ElementarySchool Principal Renee Bostick during a Funny Bones class.

1st and 2nd graders are building literacyskills by writing and drawing in journalseach week.

Resident Services Giving Familiesthe Toolsto Get Ahead

AHC is helping residents takecharge of their finances, educa-

tion and careers through a newinitiative, the Center for WorkingFamilies. The program, which isfunded by a $10,000 grant fromFreddie Mac through a partnershipwith NeighborWorks, is currentlyoffered at two of AHC’s communitycenters, the Gates of Ballston andWoodbury Park/The Frederick.

The program provides tools forworking families to improve theirlong-term financial health andearning potential. Activities includecomputer courses, high school grad-uate equivalency degree classes,

English language workshops,resume writing, and financial plan-ning. “If people can increase theirincome, it can make a real differ-ence,” explains Chris Papavasiliou,Resident Services Manager atWoodbury Park/The Frederick.

Staff members serve as coachesto help residents set and achievesuch goals as obtaining healthinsurance, establishing a checkingor savings account, and improvingeducation or job opportunities.Another emphasis is teachingparents how they can help theirchildren do better in school.

Adults address financial issues duringCenter for Working Families workshop.

Homeownership A Concentrated ApproachCan Help Turn Around a Neighborhood

Sometimes it takes rehabilitatinga significant number of homes

to breathe new life into a communi-ty. AHC has experienced thisprocess firsthand –in both home-ownership and rental situations.

Arlington Oaks is an 18-acrecommunity with 372 garden condo-miniums nestled between Route 50and Pershing Drive in Arlington. In1995, the complex converted fromapartments to condominiums. Overtime, the community declined,reflecting its 50-year-old roots.

In 2004, AHC purchased 60condos to renovate and turn intoaffordable homeownership oppor-tunities. Since then AHC has sold48 of the units. The remaininghomes will be renovated and madeavailable to first-time buyers astenants move out. “The processhas been a big win,” explains RickHolliday, AHC HomeownershipAsset Manager. “Not only has AHChelped a lot of first-time, moderate-income buyers, but we also helpedupgrade the overall community byrenovating about one-sixth of thehomes.”

AHC works closely with buyersto help them navigate the home-ownership process and also pro-

vides financing help. For instance,qualified buyers can receivebetween $50,000 and $60,000 to helpwith down payment and closingcosts through Arlington County’sModerate Income PurchaseAssistance Program, which AHCadministers.

Jeff Sattig, who purchased hiscondominium nearly three yearsago with AHC’s help and is nowpresident of the Arlington OaksCondominium Association’s Boardof Directors, was pleased with the

process. “AHC and theCounty have workedreally hard to keepaffordable condoshere,” says Sattig. “Igot a reduced pricefrom AHC, and theyhelped me get a greatrate on my loan. I’mhappy as a clam.”

Davis Place – Movein This Summer!

Davis Place, a brand new 10-unitcondominium community in

Arlington’s Nauck neighborhood,will be ready for new homeownersby mid-summer. The project offersspacious two- and three-bedroomhomes that are affordably pricedand financed for first-time buyersearning less than 80 percent of theArea Median Income.

Davis Place is named afterJennie Davis, a long-time communityactivist in the Nauck neighborhood.Jennie Davis was a founder of AHCand a long-time Board member.

All units have an open floorplan with a kitchen/living room;two bathrooms; full size washerand dryer; balcony, patio or porch;and assigned off-street parking.

Davis Place is located on South17th Street, steps to the new WalterReed Community Center and with-in a mile of Columbia Pike,Shirlington and 1-395.

For more information, contactRick Holliday, 703-486-0626 x 132,holliday@ahcinc.org.

Davis Place has 10 spacious, affordabletwo and three-bedroom homes.

Arlington Oaks includes affordable condosin a garden apartment setting.

Published by AHC Inc.Division of Community Relations

Catherine Bucknam, DirectorCelia Slater, EditorHannah R. Moore,

Contributing Editor

2230 North Fairfax Drive,Suite 100

Arlington, VA 22201703-486-0626 (phone)

703-486-0653 (fax)www.ahcinc.org

Design and Layout by EWM Design

HomeFront

The HomeFront Page 5

Page 6 The HomeFront

Volunteer Profile

Allison Sheahan, aformer elementary

school teacher, startedvolunteering in an AHCpreschool class in 2002.Both the children and the staffloved her warmth and skills as ateacher. “She’s absolutely fantastic,”says Rebecca Gebhardt, ResidentServices Manager at Fort HenryGardens. “Our program would nothave been nearly as successfulwithout her help.”

When her grandmother died in2003, Sheahan used her inheritanceto set up a fund to support AHC’spreschool programs. “My grand-mother was always interested inhelping people – particularlychildren – get the education theyneeded to help them get out ofpoverty,” explains Sheahan.

Today the Eda Nevin MemorialFund helps sustain the pre-school

$35 Individual$60 Family$100 Supporter$250 BuilderOther:$___________

Name_____________________________________________

Address___________________________________________

City/County_______________________________________

State/Zip__________________________________________

Email______________________________________________

Your donation is tax-deductible.Please make your check payable to AHC Inc. and return to:

AHC Inc., 2230 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22201.

Or donate online at www.ahcinc.org!

You can make a difference! Success depends upon all of us!Help us sustain affordable housing in our neighborhoods and support ourmost vulnerable families. Your donations go directly to our Resident Servicesprograms that give at-risk children and their families the help they need tosucceed in our schools and our community.

Please send me information about volunteering.Please sign me up to receive AHC’s monthly e-newsletter.

Support ourMembership Drive!

AHC’s Annual MembershipDrive starts in a few weeks.This year we’re targeting our

Summer Camp, along with ourteen and family programs. AHC’sSummer Camp, besides offering lotsof fun, includes a host of education-al activities – critical to preventlearning loss over the summer. Withyour help, we’re hoping to reach150 low-income children and teensliving in our communities.

Your donation also helps work-ing families improve their financialand educational situations throughworkshops, coaching, and classes.

Our teen programs also provideguidance to help youth navigatethe challenges of high school andmaximize their potential – eitherby attending college or startinga career.

Please help us give some ofthe neediest in our community anopportunity to build a better lifefor themselves and their families.

Your entire donation goes toAHC’s Resident Services programs.

You can use the attached formor donate online at www.ahcinc.orgWe appreciate your support!

parents’ support group at the FortHenry community center. “I believeparents have the potential to be thebest teachers in a child’s life, butthey need support because of all thestresses poverty can bring,” saysSheahan.

Sheahan’s generous donationof her time and money evolvedout of her lifelong love of teachingand her commitment to supportingher community. “I could give mymoney elsewhere, but I would notknow the people involved or thecommunity. For me it’s an opportu-nity to keep the connection going. Ihave very happy memories of work-ing with AHC and the children.”

Allison Sheahan,Volunteerand Donor

The HomeFront Page 7

Douglas A. AdamsWilliam AllenAmy & Hank AppelbaumWilliam D. ArvidsonGerald & Janet AutenFrederick & Gladys BarrettEllen S. BartlettNichole D. BattlePatricia BenekeHarlow & Charlene

BickfordKatharine R. BigelowRic & Anne BlackstenRichard & Susan BottomleyGrahame & Julie BouchouxEllen & Bill BozmanSam M. BradleyRobin & Michael BroderImants &Velga BrolisMichelle Brown-SlaughterCatherine D. BucknamIrene BurdetskyMarjorie BurdetskyRuth A. BushRobert & Tracy BushkoffJoedy CambridgeLt. Col. Walter E. CampbellPeter L. CanzanoGeorge & Lynda CarlsonCecilia CassidyPhil & Maureen CaughranJennifer CavaliereLeta M. ChappellElna ClevengerElizabeth Cobbs

& Philip GreenJames P. ColeDavid J. CollinsAnn Cohen ConnellScott & Marcia CrosseDouglas & Paula

CruickshankDana Lehrer DanzeKaren DarnerPatricia DashiellEdwin & Rosalie DemoneyLucy & Jerry DenneyDennis & Nancy DeRiggiKathleen M. DesmondBernie & Evelyn DoyleJennifer & Erik EndoTodd & Paula EndoBrenda Erickson

Margaret A. EubankAlice Barrett FeeleyLora R. FergusonRoger FonesPatricia ForbesLindalou FriesenDonna & Sam GainesSuzanne S. GartnerRebecca GaulCharles GilbertAlan GoldsteinJohn L. Goodman Jr.Richard O. GreenJerry & Win GreenwaldMark Greenwood

& Carrie WolfeWade & Ann GregoryLinda Griggs & Bill

SwedishLavona GrowBeatrice W. HaleWilliam & Deborah HallEileen Hanning

& Tom ByronMelvin & Gene HerrmannEric Schwartz & Aimee HillRichard & Pam HindmanSarah HippolitusMonica HirschbergRick HollidayJay & Elsie HowenstineJohn HunterPatricia Hunter

& John MerryLouise IngramLaura Jackson

& Timothy ClearyCarleton C. JenkinsAnn JohnsonCarolyn W. JohnsonPatricia E. JohnstonBrian & Olivia KaneMichael KaneJessica KaplanRaymond J. KeaneyEllen Tenny KeatingMichael & Althea KekkerJoseph & Sally KeyesCal & Barbara KlausnerPatricia M. KuczkowskiJudith & James KuhagenMary C. Lawler

Charles & Jennifer DenneyLawson

Richard LeedsDavid LeibsonMargaret A. LorenzNancy LowenthalJane K. LudlowJohn & Ellen LynnHannah Moore

& Lawrence MacDonaldSuzanne W. MacDougallJames E. & Nicole MalcolmPhilip & Kim MatkovskyJames & Marjie MayerRichard McCueElizabeth B. McHughEileen McMurrerAlex MeachamGeorge & Jean MeekRichard & Eileen MeliaGretchen MennPaul MichlJoy MidmanChristopher J. MilesJamie MillerMarianne MoermanRafael & Jeanne MolinariJennifer Scotti

& Michael MondshineRobert & Nancy MorganMarcella R. MosherMichael L. MulfordAndrea MyslickiSakura NamiokaTillman NeunerXuyen Nhu NguyenLarry F. PadbergJohn R. PageKatharine & Robert PanfilJeffrey & Ellen PasselDavid PeacefullProvident G. Peterson Jr.Wanda L. PierceJeremy & Tamara PreissDawna ReedClyde RelickSusan Retz

& Charles LovettFrank RobertsLawrence & Anita RobertsJack & Gretchen RobertsonOksana RomanykBill & Lorraine Ross

Gina K. RossRobert & Tobi RozenChris & Liz RugaberDon RyanSusan Sarcone

& Mitchell SchneiderEugenia F. SchaeferMargaret W. SchwartzKathryn & Max ScruggsMichael SeltzAlison SheahanRobert P. SindermannRosalind D. SingerCelia & David SlaterStephen SmithAlvin W. SmuzynskiJohn Snyder

& Heather McPhailLawrence & Arlene SpinelliHelen StarenJ. R. StephensFrances E. StoreyRobert & Mary StumpLaura M. TarantinoSteve & Pat TelkinsSteven ThayerAndres TobarBrian TrossenEvelyn W. TurnerAnne Carter VadenJohn Bohman

& Louise Van HorneL. Bruce & Barbara B.

van VoorstKarl & Luella VannewkirkElizabeth Redmond

VanWinkleGerman O. VasquezJohn & Mary VihstadtShelley WadeDick & Penny WakefieldSharon WashburnWalter D. & Judith WebdaleJohn WelshThurlow & Arlene WilsonBill WittKatie WittenbergKevin WuSara Fitzgerald

& Walter WurfelCheryl Ann YoungDavid & Julia ZalkindSean Zielenbach, Jr.

Many thanks to the donors to AHC’s 2008 Holiday Appeal

2230 North Fairfax DriveSuite 100

Arlington, Virginia 22201

Address Service Requested

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. Postage

PAIDArlington, VA

Permit No. 1653

Summer’s Coming!

Planning for AHC’s Summer Camp is already underway.You can help. See page 5.

What’s Inside� Resident Services turns 15

� New literacy programsfor children

� Tools to help familiesget ahead

� Spotlight on avery special volunteer

� The Shelton is now open

� First AHC project inMontgomery County

� Affordable condominiumsavailable this summer

� Homeownership programhelps change neighborhood

� Baltimore projectstake shape

Founded in 1975, AHC is a private,nonprofit developer of low- andmoderate-income housing.