Elbert Avenue Redevelopment Project
Expanding Housing Opportunities in Alexandria
For nearly four decades, Community Lodgings has been tackling the affordable housing crisis in Alexandria. We support the under-resourced, working-class, immigrant neighborhood of Arlandria-Chirilagua. The families served by Community Lodgings are our community’s working poor—cashiers, hospitality workers, childcare providers, and other members of our essential workforce—earning less than $50K annually. They are the 36% of Alexandria households experiencing food insecurity, and 46% of Alexandria students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Daily, Community Lodgings address the food insecurity, education, and housing needs of 416 economically-marginalized individuals.
Housing is the Solution
Safe and affordable housing is the key to building independent futures.
The Challenge:
While Alexandria is consistently ranked one of the country’s top places to live, it is also one of the most expensive. The cost of living in the city is estimated to be 135% higher than the national average. With only 8% of the City’s rental housing considered affordable, and fewer than 250 affordable rental units in Arlandria-Chirilagua (According to the City of Alexandria’s Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan), vulnerable families struggle to find a place to call home.
The Solution:
In order for Alexandria to remain a vibrant, inclusive, and affordable city for all, we must expand housing opportunities so more families can secure financial stability and live the quality of life they deserve.
Which is why we are redeveloping our Elbert Avenue residence to TRIPLE the number of families Community Lodgings is able to serve and create more opportunities for families to succeed.
From Outdated to Updated
Built in the 1940s, the Elbert Avenue apartment complex is in dire need of renovation and repair. Rather than temporary, band-aid solutions to the aging property, Community Lodgings is striving to build a brand-new residence—one that will allow us to expand our affordable housing options in the neighborhood and ensure Arlandria-Chirilagua remains accessible to all.
Community Lodgings has been planning for this redevelopment for the last 4 years. Our aim is to redevelop the 28-unit building and replace it with a new, 91-unit, all affordable, multifamily, residential building for the most vulnerable in our community. One-hundred percent of the units will be restricted to households earning 30%–60% AMI (Area Median Income). The project is fully consistent with the City of Alexandria’s 2020 Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan to preserve, improve, and expand affordable housing options in the neighborhood.
Following the permit and approvals process, Community Lodgings plans to tear down the deteriorating buildings and break ground in 2026. All residents will receive relocation benefits; income eligible residents will have the opportunity to lease a home in the new building. We expect the new building to open in 2028.
D'Lynn Jacobs, Executive Director of Open Horizon, with Lynn Thomas, Executive Director of Community Lodgings
"Open Horizon is delighted to be an early/initial funder for the capital campaign for Community Lodgings and join as leaders for the evolving Campaign Circle. Open Horizon has grown in learning and by cultivating deep, authentic relationships with the leadership of Community Lodgings. We have contributed annually for the past five years and have seen tremendous growth and evolution in their vision—expanding access to basic needs and promoting dignity in expansive ways for community members."
Building for the Future
This transformation is about much more than bricks and mortar, it is about reimagining the Community Lodgings of the future and expanding our service to the Arlandria-Chirilagua community.
We are pleased to share that, to date, we have secured over $46M for the project—and expect another $7.6M to be awarded early this year. Through the A HOME in Alexandria Campaign we plan to raise the remaining 10% ($6M) needed to achieve our $60M goal. Our belief in affordable housing and this redevelopment is so strong that Community Lodgings has invested $3.5M of its own money to ensure the project’s success. We are exploring multiple government and philanthropic sources and need your support to bring this project to completion.
Together, we can make accessible and affordable housing a reality for more families in Alexandria.
A HOME in Alexandria Campaign Goal = $60 Million
Your Support of the A HOME in Alexandria Campaign Will Fund
To discuss the redevelopment project, please contact:
LYNN THOMAS
Executive Director
lynnthomas@community-lodgings.org
(703) 549-4407
To discuss the A HOME in Alexandria Campaign, please contact:
SHELLI VASSER GILLIAM
Director of Development
svgilliam@community-lodgings.org
(703) 549-4407