Richmond, VA — The Virginia Housing Board of Commissioners approved recommendations for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to support a joint effort by Melwood and Wesley Housing, a premier nonprofit affordable housing developer, to build an innovative and accessible housing community in Arlington yesterday, bringing the groundbreaking initiative one step closer to completion.
This transformative project will redevelop Melwood’s outdated Arlington facility into a vibrant mixed-use community, using the Kelsey Inclusive Design standards to serve people with and without disabilities. The new development will also include state-of-the-art programming space where Melwood Community Services will operate career development and support services.
This announcement comes at a pivotal time for housing in Arlington, as the region faces a growing shortage of affordable housing—particularly homes that are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Nationally, fewer than 10 percent of homes meet full accessibility standards, making this development project especially urgent and impactful.
“All Virginians deserve the dignity and stability of a place to call home, yet the average market rate rent in Arlington is over $2,400 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment and over $3,000 per month for a 2-bedroom space, underlining the immediate need for affordable housing options in our community,” said Larysa Kautz, president & CEO of Melwood. “The lack of accessible, affordable housing remains a major barrier to independence, inclusion, and workforce participation for people with disabilities. It also places enormous pressure on caregivers, public systems, and employers struggling to retain talented employees. This project will help alleviate that burden while strengthening our entire community.”
“Melwood and Wesley Housing’s affordable housing community represents a significant step toward a more inclusive future,” said Kamilah McAfee, president & CEO of Wesley Housing. “This will be one of the first communities in the country built to meet the full Kelsey Inclusive Design Standards, the gold standard for disability-forward, community-integrated housing. This community exemplifies what is possible when mission-focused organizations, government, and advocates work together to build housing solutions that serve everyone.”
Since the project’s inception in 2021, Melwood has led a transparent and community-driven planning process, conducting more than two dozen county and public engagement meetings, presentations, and thorough zoning and planning reviews. Community feedback played a critical role in shaping the final design of the development, which reflects the evolving needs of the neighborhood and broader region.
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About Melwood Inc.
Melwood Inc. is a leading innovator, educator, advocate, and expert in expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to work and thrive in the community, as well as a source of critical services for those looking to grow and learn from our best practices. Learn more at www.melwood.org.
About Wesley Housing
Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer in Virginia and the District of Columbia, has worked to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for more than 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing. Wesley Housing currently owns over 3,000 rental units, providing quality housing for thousands of individuals and families each year. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of more than 4,700 residents, including low- and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities and/or chronic disease. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org.
