1974 An Urban Consultation, planned by the Special Concerns Committee of the Northern Virginia United Methodist Board of Missions, was held at Arlington United Methodist Church for participants interested in programs that would meet practical human needs. While visiting local housing properties, members of the Consultation's Housing Task Force repeatedly came face to face with sub-standard housing and reported a severe housing shortage, especially for low-income people.  Overall, they found:

• A rural white population displaced by suburban expansion;
• African-American communities with dismal physical conditions;
• Families moving to Northern Virginia for jobs, but unable to find housing;
• Families with housing, paying 50% or more of their income for rent;
• Seniors and low-income families displaced by condo conversions;
• Physically disabled and chronically ill people unable to work;
• Women providing the sole support of small children;
• People who lost housing due to fire, housing code enforcement, evictions, or other public action.

Tasked with translating abstract "caring" into plans for constructive action, the Housing Task Force ultimately recommended the creation of a flexible housing development corporation that would function freely to meet local housing needs. In response, Virginia Peters, retired school teacher and task force co-chair, founded Wesley Housing Development Corporation, funded by local, state, and federal government; private foundations and individual donors; donated property; and church funds. Read more...

2009 Businesses, Foundations, Government, Individuals, and the Faith Community are still pursuing that mission to provide decent affordable housing by supporting Wesley Housing.  To date, we have developed 23 communities in 6 localities, changing the lives of over 15,000 Northern Virginians. Despite these gains, however, many of those findings still hold true and families, seniors, and those living with chronic disease or disability simply cannot find a place to live. With an economy in turmoil and homelessness on the rise, it is paramount that we still be willing to help those who are truly in need.

To honor that Urban Consultation and those every day citizens who dared to make a contribution to solving this widespread problem, we ask that you once again demonstrate your commitment to the belief that affordable housing should be a basic right of every member of our community.