When Transitional Housing Corporation (THC) broke ground on its newest property last October, the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Commons, the District moved a little closer to creating more environmentally sustainable homes for families in need. The first multi-family Passive House in the area, Weinberg Commons will provide 12 apartments for families in need of permanent supportive housing and 24 apartments for families making between 30 – 60% of AMI all the while helping to minimize the energy footprint of the City.
Passive House design reduces the amount of energy usage in a building, keeping utility costs low and rents affordable. Instead of relying on active energy reduction systems with high-installation costs, Passive House buildings concentrate on energy use reduction and work with natural systems to manage heat gain and loss, resulting in possible utility costs savings of up to 90 percent. Located at 5010 Southern Avenue in southeast, the project will provide a deep energy retrofit on the property and will include super-insulation, an air-tight building shell and balanced energy recovery ventilation. In addition to being an innovative approach to net-zero building, Passive House structures are also considered to adhere to the most stringent energy standards in the world.
THC is not new to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in different and innovative ways. The organization provides housing and support services to more than 500 formerly homeless and low-income families so they can make their own transformational life changes. THC offers holistic support through employment services, housing counseling, and resident and clinical services. Located in six of the eight wards in D.C., THC properties include award-winning transitional, permanent, supportive, rapid rehousing and affordable rental housing for those looking to end the cycle of homelessness.
Weinberg Commons is yet another example of THC’s transformative methods in providing affordable housing to those who need it most. The community reflects former DC Mayor Vincent Gray’s twin vision of creating more environmentally sustainable buildings while delivering affordable housing more quickly. The project also complements the strategy to consolidate and synchronize the application process between city agencies and developers in order to produce affordable housing in less time. Weinberg Commons will combine state-of-the-art environmental features with affordable rents and a slate of support services for homeless families. This innovative endeavor will be the first of its kind in the District, and it will also model the successful integration of sustainability in affordable housing projects moving forward.
“We are addressing the District’s family homelessness crisis as we contribute to a greener city,” said Frank Demarais, THC’s Interim Executive Director in regards to THC’s commitment to Passive House development.
THC’s HAND membership has proven to be a valuable resource for the organization. As a multi-state/regional affordable housing and community development association, HAND provides a collective voice for affordable housing in the region. By bringing together lead agencies in the area and individuals in housing development, policy and financing, HAND provides THC leadership and staff access to the best thinking available in the industry. Through its trainings and dedication to supporting community housing providers, HAND is a go-to resource to help THC achieve its mission of ending family homelessness by 2020.
HAND is pleased to spotlight Transitional Housing Corporation, which certainly contributes to our organization’s COLLABORATION, INNOVATION and TRANSFORMATION within the metropolitan area!
The NeighborWorks America board of directors has named Paul Weech the new president and CEO for the organization. Weech brings to the position more than 25 years of leadership experience in housing, community development and financial services.
“I am very excited to take on the stewardship of such a strong and historic organization, which has been a major force for progress in housing and community for more than 35 years,” says Weech. “I believe my role is to support and continue to grow what is already a pre-eminent organization with the reach, resources and commitment to truly make a difference.”
Weech comes to NeighborWorks America from the Housing Partnership Network, a business alliance of the nation’s top performing nonprofit development organizations. As the Housing Partnership Network’s executive vice president for policy and external affairs, Weech was responsible for policy development and advocacy leadership for the organization, including producing its policy treatise, “Toward a Housing Policy Reform Agenda.” In the two years before joining the organization full time, he provided policy leadership for both the Housing Partnership Network and the Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future.
Weech has served as chief of staff at the U.S. Small Business Administration; staff director for the Senate Committee on Banking’s Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development, Housing and Urban Affairs; and senior analyst for housing and credit for the Senate Committee on Budget. He also worked in various mission-related roles in Fannie Mae’s National Community Lending Center and Office of Corporate Strategy.
Whether in the public or private sector, Weech has made service to others the cornerstone of his career. “I believe that by working together we have the opportunity to lift people up, increase their opportunities and outcomes, and help them provide a better life for their children,” says Weech. “I have been blessed to have a career in which I wake up every day with meaning in my life.”
Weech serves on the boards of several organizations, including the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Conference, Bollinger Foundation, Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers and Ford School of Public Policy’s Alumni Board. He received a Master of Public Policy degree from the Ford School for Public Policy Studies at the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Duke University.
Press release can also be viewed on the NeighborWorks America website.
For nearly 12 years, The Alliance for Housing Solutions has worked in northern Virginia diligently providing public education and advocacy in support of housing affordability. Primarily working in Arlington, the nonprofit collaborates with a diverse spectrum of partners ranging from nonprofit developers, housing service providers to state legislators and Arlington County officials, and has decidedly raised the profile on the “need” for more affordable housing locally and regionally.
This lean organization sponsors yearly forums and events, presents to groups, has a presence at street fairs and provides testimony in support of on-the-ground site plans and local community development policy. Recently, the group merged its own coalition building expertise with its extensive knowledge of community development and launched HousingArlington, a coalition to further the affordability conversation in the County. Backed by a high level of participation from practitioners and advocates within the developer, shelter and tenant sectors, HousingArlington has provided the framework for FY2015 budget efforts, protected endangered programs and increased the County loan fund — despite a tax rate deduction. Only through strong collaboration has any of this been possible. In addition to regular partners, County Board members and staff actively participate in HousingArlington’s regularly scheduled meetings (first Monday of the month). This type of cohesion will be even more important as Arlington’s Affordable Housing Study begins its final phase and ultimate adoption in the first six months of 2015.
AHS is strongly aware that collaboration with other groups helps it to be “mighty,” and its work with HAND is no exception. By providing information, networking, helping to finance interns, co-sponsoring and publicizing events or simply holding those needed education seminars, HAND has been a pivotal tool in helping AHS work towards the greater good. The group utilizes its HAND membership about “1000%” while gladly paying the humble HAND association fee.
HAND is pleased to spotlight Alliance for Housing Solutions, which certainly contributes to our organization’s COLLABORATION, INNOVATION and TRANSFORMATION within the metropolitan area!
In 1994, Trudy McFall and Nancy Rase combined their nearly 45 years of collective experience in the affordable housing and community development industry and founded Homes for America (HFA) in Annapolis, Maryland. Businesslike and efficient with a heart and a mission, HFA focuses its efforts on the mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware. For the past 20 years, the group has helped to create top-quality, service-enriched communities that serve a large number of residents with very low incomes as well as persons with disabilities.
Operating by its motto of “creating communities, enriching lives,” HFA has partnered with nearly 30 for-profit and nonprofit entities and raised more than $500 million to fund its affordable communities. The organization uses a variety of funding sources, including public/private funds, foundations and housing tax credits, to create affordable housing for those in need. To date, the organization has created 71 serviced-enriched housing communities – or approximately 5,500 affordable apartments – in four states and has helped nearly 90 low- to moderate-income families with either homeownership opportunities or assistance with home rehabilitation.
HFA has been an active HAND member for its entire history. Nancy Rase has served as a past president and HFA staff regularly attends and participates in HAND training sessions and events. HAND has recognized HFA’s work with a number of awards. HAND has been a valued resource for information and knowledge as HFA carries out its work in the mid-Atlantic region.
This year marks HFA’s first 20 years, but with the support of its partners and the guidance of its expert board of directors, we’ll celebrate years of its service long into the future!
HAND is pleased to spotlight HFA, which certainly contributes to our organization’s COLLABORATION, INNOVATION and TRANSFORMATION within the metropolitan area!
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Guest List & Dietary Preference: If your registration includes a luncheon table or multiple guests, please submit guest names and menu choices by May 1, 2020. Submit guest names here.
Housing Expo: Plan to exhibit? Download the Housing Expo FAQs here.
Omni Shoreham Hotel Room Block: For attendees looking to secure overnight accommodations on May 25th, HAND has secured a rate starting at $189 for conference attendees. There are a limited amount of rooms available, so visit this link today to reserve your room. May 10th is the last day to secure a room at the discounted rate.
Ad Submission: The artwork for advertisements should be submitted to annualmeeting@handhousing.org. You can download the ad spec sheet here. Deadline for ad submission is April 13, 2020.
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Door Prizes: Are you interested in donating a door prize to this year’s Annual Meeting? Email annualmeeting@handhousing.org to coordinate with our team.
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