Updates:
- Update to the Planning Commission, March 6, 2018
- 10 Things to Know about the Route 1 South Housing Affordability Strategy (as of March 19, 2018)
- Looking for affordable housing within the city? Visit the
Office of Housing web page, where you’ll find the
Housing Resource Guide in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. Or call 703.746.4990 with questions.
Why a Planning Process Here, Now?
In May 2017, City Council adopted its FY2018 Interdepartmental Long-Range Planning Work Program, which includes the Route 1 South Housing Affordability Strategy planning effort focused on a portion of the Southwest Quadrant Small Area around Route 1 south of Duke Street. The timing of this effort is closely tied to the expiration of affordability contracts on two large rental communities in the corridor – the Heritage at Old Town and Olde Towne West III. This initiative is exploring opportunities to maintain housing affordability in the plan area through the future preservation, renovation and/or redevelopment of these properties. Working with the community and commercial property owners, this planning effort will develop strategies and identify public and private resources and tools to preserve housing affordability and diversity, including existing expiring long-term subsidies that provide deep affordability for many of the rental units. It will also explore strategies to strengthen the character of the neighborhood, prioritize safety and accessibility along Route 1 South, and create a more welcoming gateway to the city.
Charrette Week, February 26 - March 5
This planning process included a five-day intensive community planning “charrette” - a collaborative planning and design exercise to develop the principles and strategies for the plan. Members of the community were invited to participate and share their ideas on-site during the day and at evening public meetings and open houses. Childcare, transportation and interpretation services in Spanish and Amharic were provided during the evening community meetings. If unable to attend the charrette in person, community members were invited to follow the charrette progress and participate online throughout the week. Recording sessions and meeting materials are linked below under Meetings and Events.
Take a look at these photos from charrette!
Meeting and Event Materials
- Thursday, April 5, 2018 - Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee Meeting
- Tuesday, March 6, 2018 - Planning Commission Worksession Briefing
- Monday, March 5, 2018 - Charrette Day 5 Community Meeting, Nannie J. Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.
- Thursday, March 1, 2018 - Charrette Day 4, Nannie J. Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.
- Community members jointed City staff in a one mile walking tour of the focus area and discussed challenges, opportunities, and points of interest throughout the neighborhood.
Charrette Group Volunteers
To ensure consistent participation in the development of the Plan, the City solicited community members to serve as Charrette Group Volunteers. Charrette Group Volunteers, alongside all those interested in the planning process, will help develop the principles and strategies of the plan during the charrette. Volunteers of the Charrette Group committed to participating in most of the public engagement events, and in the charrette in particular. Charrette Group Volunteers represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the planning area.
Community Comments
Resources
- Plan area map
- Southwest Quadrant Background Information for Route 1 South Housing Affordability Strategy
- Planning Process Schedule (as of 04/16/18)
- What do we mean when we say Affordable Housing? Definition of Terms
- Civic Engagement Framework
Questions
This planning effort is jointly supported by the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Office of Housing. Questions may be directed to Ashley Labadie, Urban Planner, 703.746.3801.