More than 50 years ago, former schoolteacher Virginia Peters established Wesley Housing Development Corporation (now “Wesley Housing”) in response to a study by her church’s affordable housing task force that revealed the staggering number of low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities with few or no viable options for decent, affordable housing. Her efforts were visionary and groundbreaking.
Take a look back in history and see the work that laid the foundation for who Wesley Housing is today.
The establishment of the nonprofit organization resulted from the 1974 Urban Consultation sponsored by the United Methodist Church in Northern Virginia. Ms. Virginia Peters chaired the Affordable Housing Task Force and Wesley Housing Development Corporation (“Wesley Housing”) was born.
The organization was little more than a cardboard box of files in the back of Peters’ car.
Virginia Peters becomes the founder and first president of Wesley Housing.
“I am a woman, a wife, a mother, an elementary school teacher, and a volunteer who with on the job training, became a housing professional.”
– Virginia Peters
Wesley Housing broke ground on its first community, the 128-unit Strawbridge Square Apartments. Wesley purchased this prime real estate for $1 from developer Raymond M. Lynch, an advocate of affordable housing and education for residents with low income.
Six projects were created under the direction of Virginia Peters: Knightsbridge Apartments, Mt. Pleasant Circle, Wexford Manor Apartments, Seven Corners Apartments, Patrick Henry Apartments, and Whitefield Commons Apartments.
Wesley Property Management Company, Inc. is created.
Five development projects completed: Perry S. Hall Apartments, Springdale House, William Watters Apartments, Colonial Village Apartments, and Pierce Queen Apartments.
Virginia Peters retires after serving as Executive Director from 1979 through 1997 and remained on the Board of Directors until her death in 2004. Wesley Housing hires its first CEO, John Stern.
Al Smuzynski becomes President and CEO of Wesley Housing.
Wesley Housing acquired 611 affordable housing units throughout Alexandria, Centreville, Fairfax County, Herndon, and Manassas, and achieved several noteworthy milestones:
Wesley Agape House became the first development in Northern Virginia to provide social services as well as affordable housing for individuals and their families living with chronic illness. Agape House was named Best Social Services Program by Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND).
Wesley Housing developed its first residence exclusively for low- to moderate-income older adults (Quarry Station Seniors Apartments), and broke ground on Northern Virginia’s first barrier-free complex for physically disabled persons with very low income (Coppermine Place I).
Shelley Murphy joins Wesley Housing as President and CEO.
Wesley Housing more than doubled its number of affordable housing units and residents served.
In 2011, the Housing Stability Initiative (HSI) was launched, expanding resident services and offering eviction prevention, linkage and referral, career enhancement, and material assistance/in-kind support to all residents.
Wesley Housing acquired its first property in The District, Brookland Place Apartments.
Wesley Housing was named Developer of the Year in 2017 by the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND). In 2018, Wexford Manor received Best Large Affordable Housing Project award by HAND.
The Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) recognized Wesley Housing as a Certified Organization for Resident Engagement & Services (CORES), one of the first affordable housing providers nationally to receive this certification.
Wesley Housing launched a new, refreshed brand with a focus on building up.
Wesley Housing’s Housing Stability Initiative (HSI) was awarded Best Housing Program at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference, demonstrating innovative and creative efforts in providing services or assistance to citizens with housing needs.
Wesley Housing was named as one of the 2021 Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers in the country by Affordable Housing Finance.
In 2022, Wesley Housing closed out one of its busiest years to date, capped off by the construction of seven communities (571 units), representing $231 million in total development costs. These new units provide more than 1,000 low- and moderate-income individuals in need of high-quality and stable housing with access to employment, educational, healthcare, and other opportunities to help build up their lives.
Because of this, Wesley Housing was recognized by HAND as the 2022 Developer of the Year.
Kamilah McAfee becomes President and CEO of Wesley Housing, succeeding Shelley Murphy who successfully led the organization for 15 years.
Wesley Housing announces the completion of its merger with Virginia United Methodist Housing Development Corporation (VUMHDC). This merger represents Wesley Housing’s first major expansion beyond the Washington, DC metropolitan region in its 50-year history. As one of the region’s leading nonprofit affordable housing developers, the organization will use its experience and expertise to drive its mission across its new footprint throughout southern and southwest Virginia. Combined with its existing properties, Wesley Housing will have ownership in 3,000+ units and provide various levels of supportive services to approximately 4,700 low-income individuals living across its owned and operated communities.
Our 2019-2023 strategic plan sets forth a bold agenda for expanding affordable housing in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and suburban Maryland and for offering supportive services to every resident who needs them. Learn more about the aspirational goals we’ve created as a framework for advancing our mission and vision over the next few years.
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