Housing Corporation of Arlington History

In 1986, a small group of Arlington town leaders and residents noticed an increasing problem with housing prices that outpaced growth in income. Prices were escalating at 10% per year. Median single-family home prices were approaching $200,000—out of reach for many of Arlington’s renters and young adults who grew up here.  The lack of open land for development added to the need for creative solutions. The Housing Corporation of Arlington was formed in response to an opportunity to receive a donated two-family house that was scheduled for demolition. This project was not successful, but the Housing Corporation was born as a strong vehicle to address Arlington’s housing crisis.

For many years, HCA provided down-payment assistance loans for first-time, moderate-income homebuyers. In June of 1990, HCA was awarded tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. By the late 90s, the housing market began to shift with the growing acceptance of condo conversions of two-family houses. Suddenly, as older owners began selling their properties for record amounts to realtors and developers, Arlington was facing the loss of its existing affordable rental stock. The Housing Corporation stepped in and purchased the first of its two-family houses in 2001. By 2005, the number of units owned by HCA was 28, all in two-family homes. With a purchase of 18 units in 4 buildings in 2006, an additional two-family acquisition in 2008 and the procurement of 10 more units last winter, HCA now owns 58 units of affordable rental housing. All of this was made possible by the very strong support of the Arlington Board of Selectmen, which has routinely allocated the largest single portion of Community Development Block Grant funds to affordable housing.

Starting in 2000, HCA also partnered with the Town of Arlington to create Arlington’s Homelessness Prevention Fund. Entirely financed through private donations, this fund provides one-time grants to Arlington residents experiencing an emergency housing crisis that could lead to homelessness. The Fund helps families and individuals who are in danger of becoming homeless with grants of up to $2,500. HPF grants help pay back rent, moving expenses and security deposits. Assistance is given in cases where the grant will help stabilize a family's housing for at least six months. A household may receive a grant no more than twice, and the second grant will only be made two years or more after the first. Currently, more than 280 families have received assistance, totaling over $330,000 in grants.

The Housing Corporation continues to be a strong advocate for affordable housing today, and through its efforts, helped to adopt Arlington's Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw, which guarantees future real estate developments in Town set aside at least 15% of housing units as affordable. HCA raises the issue of affordable housing in Arlington through annual meeting events, which most recently featured former Governor Michael Dukakis, and our annual Walk for Affordable Housing.