(703) 685 - 5100 bravo_arl@hotmail.com

BRAVO’s mission is to advance and defend the rights and interests of Arlington’s tenants by empowering them and working together to preserve affordable housing and the economic and cultural diversity of the community.

Some of BRAVO’s accomplishments over the past year have been: BRAVO staff developed and held a three day leadership training program for 15 low income tenants to help them become leaders within their apartment complexes and within the wider community. BRAVO worked (and continues to work) in the Ft. Myer Heights North Neighborhood to build the foundation for an area-wide tenants association of informed and active tenants who work together to preserve affordable housing and the neighborhood’s diversity. BRAVO partnered with AHOME at Shirlington Overlook, a 531 unit complex being converted to condo’s, to encourage and assist the existing residents to take advantage of discounts and purchase their units. Organizationally, BRAVO underwent a strategic planning process in which we redefined our mission, strengthened our internal structure, incorporated, and began the process of becoming an independent 501c3 organization.

In 2006, BRAVO will continue our efforts to defend and educate tenants on their rights while building grassroots leadership in pursuit of preserving affordable housing. We hope to hold two leadership training sessions to train 20 more tenants in leadership and tenants’ rights. We will continue working in Ft. Myer Heights North, directly organizing tenants and working in coalition with community groups to encourage community control of development with significant and meaningful tenant input. BRAVO has also just begun door to door outreach at Buckingham Village, a 456 unit apartment complex where redevelopment seems likely in the near future.

Affordable apartments converting to condominium and rapid redevelopment of market rate affordable units are continuing threats to the low income Arlington tenants who would like to continue living in Arlington. BRAVO will do all we can to be proactive in preserving affordable housing by working directly with tenants and encouraging their active participation. As always, we will respond to crises, such as securing relocation benefits in cases of redevelopment where tenants are being evicted or assisting tenants in getting proper maintenance.

Over the next year BRAVO plans to increase our capability of reaching more tenants through hiring two part time tenant organizers and an executive director. With an increase in staff we will face increased costs for staff time and office rent and equipment. BRAVO would like to increase our grassroots financial support and the involvement of community members in our activities.