In 2025, Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) expanded its reach with new developments, celebrated resident successes, and strengthened partnerships across the mid-Atlantic region. Thank you to all of the partners, donors, volunteers, and staff members who helped make the year one full of growth, all while keeping residents at the heart. Check out AHC’s top 10 stories from 2025 below.
1. AHC Volunteer Featured on the TODAY Show
On “TODAY with Jenna & Friends,” AHC volunteer Aliyah was recognized for her nonprofit, One Word Reading Initiative, which earned her the prestigious Daily Point of Light Award earlier this year. During the segment, young AHC residents shared what they love about receiving books, and AHC’s own Laney Parrott spoke about the amazing impact Aliyah has made.
And in a heartwarming surprise, Scholastic announced a donation of $10,000 worth of books to support Aliyah’s initiative. Read more and watch the segment.
2. A Recipe for Community: AHC Student Wins Essay Contest
In an essay for the Housing& (formerly HAND) Children’s Essay Contest, Apex resident Haset Zelalem responded to the prompt, “What’s the Recipe for a Strong Community?” by highlighting how neighbors at The Apex support one another and make each other feel at home.
Her essay earned her first place in the contest — and a $500 prize. Read more and watch a video of her essay reading.
3. AHC Celebrates 2025 Graduates of CCR Program
On June 13, family, friends, and mentors celebrated the 32 graduates of AHC’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) program. This year’s graduates included nine students who started in AHC’s Afterschool program as elementary students and worked their way all the way through high school in the CCR program.
The graduates applied to 120 schools and received 157 acceptances. The students received $4.625 million in gift aid and scholarships from those schools. Read more and watch a video from the ceremony.
4. Celebration Marks Opening of Allium Place, a 195-Home Affordable Community in Montgomery County
AHC, Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, and Montgomery County celebrated the grand opening of Allium Place, a 195-home affordable community that represents one of the largest new construction affordable developments in the County’s history.
The ribbon-cutting, held on June 26, marked the completion of a multi-year project built through an innovative public-private partnership. Read more and watch a recap of the celebration.
5. New Period Pantry Opens at Gates of Ballston
On June 27, AHC and the Junior League of Northern Virginia opened a period pantry at Gates of Ballston, an AHC community in Arlington, Virginia. Stocked with free feminine hygiene products, the pantry provides residents with essential supplies at no cost. Read more.
6. AHC Consolidates Property Management to Two Strategic Partners
In August, AHC began a strategic transition to consolidate property management services across its portfolio. The organization moved from four management companies to two carefully selected partners — CAPREIT and Kettler — who oversee operations at 45 affordable housing communities. Read more.
7. Housing Authority of Baltimore City and Development Partners Michaels and AHC Break Ground on Second Phase of Key’s Pointe
On October 2, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joined the Housing Authority of Baltimore City alongside its development partners, The Michaels Organization and AHC, to break ground on the next phase of Key’s Pointe, a $36 million affordable housing development in southeast Baltimore.
This phase will bring 60 new affordable apartment homes to Baltimore’s southeast side as part of the O’Donnell Heights revitalization. Read more.
8. Goodwill of Greater Washington Closes Flagship Arlington Store for New Multi-Purpose Affordable Housing Facility
In partnership with AHC, the Goodwill of Greater Washington flagship store will be transformed into a groundbreaking facility combining 128 units of affordable housing with a modernized Goodwill retail store and donation center, plus an onsite childcare facility.
Construction begins this winter, with the new retail store opening by late 2027 and residents moving in during 2028. Read more and watch NBC4’s news segment featuring AHC’s own Mary Claire Davis.
9. Award-Winning Partnership Opens College Doors for Arlington Teens
A groundbreaking partnership between AHC and Arlington County’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) earned the Virginia Parks and Recreation Society’s Best New Program award for providing free college tours to first-generation students and teens living in affordable housing.
The award recognizes the University Trip Series — a collaboration between AHC, DPR, and Arlington Public Schools that is breaking down barriers to higher education access. Read more and watch a video recapping the college tours.
10. AHC and BrookWynn Capital Acquire Silver Spring High‑Rise, Expanding Affordable Housing
In December, AHC and BrookWynn Capital acquired The Premier, a 160-unit apartment building in downtown Silver Spring, converting 80 market-rate apartments to serve lower-income individuals and families, plus committing 20 units to workforce housing rent levels, creating a truly mixed-income community.
The Premier introduces onsite Resident Services for the first time, enhancing support for families and expanding access to opportunity near the future Purple Line. Read more.
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