Melwood Announces Collaboration with Wesley Housing for Arlington Inclusive Housing Project

November 21, 2023

Affordable, accessible, and inclusive community to service people with and without disabilities in County

Upper Marlboro, Md. – Melwood, a leading national employer, advocate, and preferred provider for people with disabilities, today announced that Wesley Housing will be its development partner for a new multi-functional building at 750 23rd Street South in Arlington, Virginia. The project will convert one of Melwood’s existing commercial buildings into affordable and inclusive housing, responding to a critical need in Arlington County, Virginia. In addition to creating 100+ units of affordable housing, Melwood will retain a portion of the space to continue offering on-site programs and services, including job skills training, for people with disabilities.

Conveniently located two blocks west of National Landing, the building’s development aligns with the County’s vision to create an inclusive community where every resident has access to safe, decent and affordable housing.

The development project will bring transformative hope to the region, offering affordable homes to households averaging 60% of the area median income, with some units set aside for individuals and families with very low incomes, and with up to 30 units specifically designed and held with a priority preference for people with disabilities. The community will also help preserve and meet the increasing demand for transit-oriented affordable housing in one of Arlington’s most populated areas.

The collaboration between Melwood and Wesley Housing furthers their shared mission of ensuring equitable access for people to live, work and thrive in their communities.

“This collaboration with Wesley Housing has the power to transform the lives of people with disabilities and support Arlington’s continued leadership in building an inclusive community,” said Larysa Kautz, President and CEO of Melwood. “Wesley Housing is a recognized leader in affordable housing and demonstrates innovative and creative approaches to assist people with housing needs. We appreciate their support in helping people with disabilities find a place to call home.”

“We thank Melwood for their partnership and look forward to collaborating in our mission of providing increased affordable housing opportunities across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area,” said Kamilah McAfee, President and CEO, Wesley Housing. “Partnering with an organization like Melwood, with over 60 years of experience fostering more inclusive communities in our region, will help to ensure that we deliver on our values of cultivating supportive communities that build up lives.”

Under the General Land Use Plan (GLUP) study process, Arlington County will host a Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) meeting on November 28, 2023, to review the Tier II Special GLUP Application.

For more information about the development project, please visit: https://melwood.org/arlington-property-redevelopment/.

About Melwood: 

Melwood is one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in the country, employing more than 1,600 workers – nearly 1,000 of whom are people with disabilities. Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 3,000 people each year in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also has an inclusive summer camp program for children and provides additional youth and community recreational services for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit www.Melwood.org.

About Wesley Housing: 

Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia, has worked to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for nearly 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing. Wesley Housing has acquired or developed over 2,900 rental units, providing quality housing for thousands of at-risk individuals and families each year. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of its 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 and follow @WesleyHousing on social media.