Wesley Housing Makes First Purchase in Alexandria City
Commits $325,000 for Lynhaven Apartments

Wesley Housing purchased and can now rehabilitate Lynhaven Apartments after the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to approve a $300,000 loan from the Housing Trust Fund to support the purchase. This is in addition to the $25,000 formerly approved for predevelopment activities associated with the project. “We have made a commitment to affordable housing both in the City and in the region and this is a good opportunity to live up to that commitment,” said Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley.

Of the 28 units, Wesley Housing will maintain 16 apartments as affordable units, including 4 units committed to families transitioning from Carpenter’s Shelter, and rent the remaining 12 units at market rates. Affordable units would be rented to families or individuals who earn 50 percent of the median income. “This is exactly the kind of project that we should be supporting,” said Councilwoman Joyce Woodson.

Wesley Housing plans to spend $210,000 to upgrade the Lynhaven complex, which is located at East Reed and Commonwealth Avenues in Alexandria City. Carpenter’s Shelter pledged $250,000 to the project in return for the use of four apartments that would serve as transitional housing for its clients. “We are pleased to be working with another non-profit organization that cares about providing affordable housing solutions in our region,” said Alvin Smuzynski, Wesley Housing President/CEO. Fran Becker, Executive Director of Carpenter’s Shelter, adds her thoughts on the partnership. “This represents a community effort to provide a continuum of care to those at risk of homelessness in Northern Virginia.”