The cost of affordable rental housing in Arlington has risen approximately 26% over the past four years, while the

hourly wage rates for unskilled service sector jobs has fallen by 10% during the same period. These unfortunate

realities partly explain why more than 15% of renters in the county have to spend more than half their income on

housing while still others are deprived of housing altogether.

Many of the families that AACH serves not only face the battle of earning sufficient income to maintain permanent housing, but also face a range of other problems, including domestic violence, substance abuse, poor credit

and excessive debt, limited employable skills, and lack of ability to communicate in English.

AACH counselors and case managers help needy families assess their full range of problems and acquire whatever skills and assistance are needed to regain family stability and permanent housing. We not only address current problems, but also focus on the many underlying causes of homelessness. Last year alone 86 families were

assisting in meeting this challenge.

During the coming year we will launch three new initiatives, all designed to increase responsiveness to the

emerging trends and changing demographic characteristics of our client families. First, special emphasis will be

placed on helping clients develop more effective parenting skills, especially as they relate to young adolescents

and teenagers. Secondly, efforts also will be made to assist clients in becoming better money managers and savvy

consumers. We plan to partner with several local credit unions to provide financial management counseling and

training in this important area. A third initiative will provide clients with an opportunity to participate in some

in-depth career planning through a joint project being launched in cooperation with George Mason University’s

Graduate School of Education.

During the past couple of years we have been reasonably successful in securing financial support for undertaking

pilot projects designed to achieve and demonstrate the attainment of specific outcomes. Securing the kind of support needed to incorporate the lessons learned through these pilot efforts into ongoing program operations remains

an unmet challenge.

We also need to establish strong and lasting partnerships with public and private philanthropic organizations in

Arlington County over the long haul. By so doing, we will be better able to provide the kind of ongoing support

and encouragement it takes continuing to make a difference in peoples lives.

Ed Rea, Executive Director,

Tel: (703) 525-7177 Email:

erea@aachhomeless.org