On October 1, Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration at the InterContinental in Washington, D.C. More than 300 partners, supporters, board members, and current and former staff gathered to look back on five decades of work and ahead to what comes next.
The program opened with the premiere of AHC’s history video and a welcome from Paul Bernard, AHC President & CEO, who honored the people who started AHC’s mission and the residents who remain at its center.
Keynote speaker Gregg Colburn, a University of Washington professor and co-author of Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, asked the room to picture AHC at its 100th anniversary, in a region with enough housing for everyone.
“AHC works every day to create these life-saving and life-enhancing opportunities for the households that they serve. And the greater Washington, D.C., and Baltimore metropolitan areas are better off because of it.”
– Gregg Colburn, Author and Housing Expert
Two young residents were then honored as winners of AHC’s 50th anniversary youth contests. Damary Granados Portillo, a sixth grader at Virginia Gardens, won the art contest with a butterfly representing safety and growth. Messiah Snowden, a ninth grader at Allium Place, won the teen video contest with his story of how AHC has supported him. Ben Nichols of Harkins Builders and Victor Burrola of Wells Fargo presented the awards.
Paul closed by asking guests to join AHC in its commitment to the next 50 years, then invited them to join him on the dance floor. The evening continued with food, photos, and live music.
“For 50 years, AHC has demonstrated what is possible when we invest in people and in the homes that support their success. But tonight is not the finish line. It’s the launch point.”
– Paul Bernard, AHC President & CEO
Event Recap Video
AHC 50th History
Moments From the Event
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