City of Alexandria, Virginia
Office of the City Manager
Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street, Suite 3500
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211
www.alexandriava.gov
Telephone: 703.838.4300
Fax : 703.838.6343

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: JANUARY 18, 2001

CONTACT: Mildrilyn Stephens Davis, (703) 838-4990
Director, Office of Housing


ALEXANDRIA ESTABLISHES AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE


To address the critical need for affordable housing in Alexandria, City Manager Philip Sunderland has established a task force to make recommendations to City Council regarding the City’s role with respect to affordable housing. In addition to the City Manager, members of the new Affordable Housing Task Force include Council Members William Euille and Joyce Woodson; Affordable Housing Advisory Committee members Jeremy Flachs and Amy Rose; Oscar Rodriguez, Realtor with Primary Properties Realtors, Inc.; Stanley Sloter, President of Paradigm Companies; Walter Webdale, Executive Director of AHC, Inc. (formerly Arlington Housing Corporation); Planning Director Eileen Fogarty; and Housing Director Mildrilyn Davis.

The first meeting of the Task Force was held on January 11, 2001, at which time the members agreed to develop recommendations to Council to enhance affordable housing opportunities for households with incomes between 30% and 75% of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area median family income, although this targeting of household incomes may be broadened as the Task Force pursues its objectives. In particular, the Task Force will explore the potential to enhance opportunities for housing affordability for households engaged in public service occupations, as well as for those households who live or work within the City limits.

Two subcommittees of the Task Force were formed at the January 11 meeting. The Affordable Housing Production Subcommittee will consider development of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing through construction and rehabilitation. The Housing Assistance to Households Subcommittee will review options for assisting households through programs and subsidies for homebuyers, homeowners and renters.

Meetings of the Affordable Housing Production Subcommittee will be held on January 22, February 12 and 26, March 12, and April 2, 2001, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All meetings will be held in City Hall (301 King Street) in the City Council Workroom, with the exception of the February 26, 2001 meeting, which will be held in City Hall Conference Room 1002.

Meetings of the Housing Assistance to Households Subcommittee will be held on January 30, February 13, March 6 and March 20. These meetings will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the City Council Workroom in City Hall.

The preliminary findings and recommendations of the subcommittees will be released at the City’s Housing Forum, tentatively scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 19, 2001 (location and other details to be announced). All meetings, including the subcommittee meetings, are open to the public.
-30-