Arlington housing gap leaves 10,000 low-income renters without deep affordability | The Locally Times
Data shows a 21% surge in very low-income renters against a stagnant supply of just 164 deeply affordable units.
While the county has prioritized affordable housing in its recent budget cycles, the current inventory of committed affordable units (CAFs) at the 30% AMI level remains at just 164 units. This figure accounts for only 1.4% of the total CAFs in the county, despite the 30% AMI population representing 15% of all renters in Arlington. For an essential worker earning between $33,000 and $40,000 annually, the market-rate or standard affordable units, which are typically priced for households earning 60% to 80% AMI, remain out of reach. ## Budgetary Response and Funding In response to these housing pressures, the Arlington County Board took action in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget by earmarking $1 million to buy down apartment rents specifically for households earning 30% AMI or less. This allocation marks the first time in the county's budget history that funds have been explicitly dedicated to deep housing affordability. The county’s broader FY 2025 budget, adopted unanimously on April 20, 2024, totaled $1.65 billion and included a 2-cent increase in the base real estate tax rate to $1.033 per $100 of assessed value. This tax increase was designed to fund priority needs, including affordable housing, eviction prevention, and support for teen mental health. The county’s approach relies on a combination of these targeted rent buy-downs and the long-term development of affordable stock, such as the 134 units at the Barcroft Apartments redevelopment that were committed to deep affordability in 2023. However, the Arlington Community Foundation analysis indicates that these measures have not yet closed the 10,000-unit shortfall for the lowest-income renters. ## Workforce and Economic Stability The disconnect between local wages and housing costs carries significant implications for the county’s economic vitality. Essential service roles, often filled by the very population currently facing housing instability, are critical to the county’s infrastructure. When these workers are priced out of the community, service quality and staff retention often decline. The Arlington Community Foundation report notes that the rent for a standard affordable apartment is currently twice what a 30% AMI household can afford, with a target rent for deep affordability set at approximately $1,100 per month for a two-bedroom unit. The Arlington Community Foundation is currently advocating for a policy change that would require all affordable housing properties funded through the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) to designate at least 10% of their units for 30% AMI households. This proposal aims to shift the county’s strategy from a reliance on small-scale pilot programs toward a more systematic expansion of the deeply affordable housing stock. ## Future Policy Considerations While the county has initiated pilot programs like the $1 million rent buy-down, the current records do not provide a projected timeline for closing the 10,000-unit gap. The county’s biennial Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process, which identifies long-term infrastructure needs, remains the primary mechanism for planning future facilities and housing investments. Residents are encouraged to monitor upcoming budget hearings and AHIF policy discussions, as these decisions directly influence both the availability of local services and the long-term tax burden on homeowners. ## Key Questions **How many housing units are available for the lowest-income renters in Arlington?** There are only 164 committed affordable units available for households earning 30% or less of the Area Median Income, despite there being nearly 10,000 such renter households in the county. **What is the county doing to address this affordability gap?** In the FY 2025 budget, the County Board earmarked $1 million to buy down apartment rents specifically for households earning 30% AMI or less, marking the first time such funds have been dedicated to this purpose in the county's history.