AHC Inc., a leading developer of affordable apartment communities, is pleased to announce that its newest community – The Spire – located in Alexandria, Virginia, will start welcoming new residents on April 1st, 2021. Now open for applications, the apartment complex will offer 113 units. Rent packages range from 40 to 60 percent of the area median income, which will contribute to easing the area’s affordable housing crunch.
The Spire started in 2014 when the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (ECR) decided to redevelop their property with an affordable housing complex and a smaller worship space. The church’s congregation approved the project with a near unanimous vote.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NIIHC), 7.2 million more affordable housing units are currently needed for low-income families. The pandemic halted many low-cost home production efforts nationwide, due to waves of budget cuts, material shortages and other financial pressures. AHC Inc. is actively working towards mitigating this scarcity. The Spire is the third affordable development built by AHC in Alexandria.
The Spire is comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities include underground parking, a community room, a fitness center and a landscaped terrace. Each home features Energy Star-certified kitchen appliances, and individually controlled high-efficiency HVAC systems.
“Throughout the planning phases of all our developments, we keep resident quality of life front and center,” said John Welsh, VP of Multifamily Development at AHC Inc., “That not only includes their experience inside their apartments and in the common areas, but also in their neighborhoods. The Spire has close access to transit systems and jobs to further stimulate professional and personal growth for everyone living in this new community.”
Designed by Cunningham-Quill and constructed by Harkins Builders, the project was made possible by the City of Alexandria, the Housing Trust Fund, Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), Virginia/National Housing Trust Funds, Capital One, Freddie Mac and NeighborWorks America. The local, state and national funds for this project totaled over $48.3 million. Additionally, the City of Alexandria provided a rental assistance grant of $350,000 to make 12 apartments affordable to lower incomes.
“We are at a crucial point with the inaccessibility of affordable living options,” said Jennifer Endo, VP of Community Relations. “We hope developments like The Spire pave the way for a brighter future for low and middle-income families who deserve homes that inspire and facilitate happy and healthy lives.”
