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June 3, 2024
Celebrating the Legacy of Our Past, Inspiring Hope for Our Future
Alexandria, VA – June 3, 2024: Today Wesley Housing kicked off a six-month-long celebration for its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of significant contributions to affordable housing across the metropolitan Washington, DC region. To commemorate the milestone, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer, owner, and operator will spotlight historic development accomplishments, leadership legends, and program highlights as well as host engagement events for community residents. Plans for an anniversary celebration this fall to honor our key stakeholders are also underway.
Since 1974, Wesley Housing’s work has impacted more than 25,000 lives by developing or acquiring 2,915 units across 40 properties throughout the region. The organization’s impact spans beyond bricks and mortar; Wesley Housing fosters upward mobility in its communities where residents can build up their lives. Through collaborative efforts with partners, the organization offers a range of enrichment and supportive services with the goal of empowering residents to break the cycle of poverty and reducing deep racial inequities throughout the region.
Wesley Housing’s journey began as a response to a pressing need. In 1974, a groundbreaking study sponsored by the United Methodist Church in Northern Virginia revealed the staggering number of families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities who were earning below average incomes and thus had few or no viable options for decent, affordable housing. Inspired by the study’s findings, Virginia Peters, a retired schoolteacher and co-chair of the Housing Task Force, spearheaded the establishment of Wesley Housing as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Peters’ visionary leadership laid the groundwork for an enduring legacy of transformative impact throughout the region.
Evolving from its humble beginnings to its current status as one of the mid-Atlantic region’s largest providers of safe, quality, supportive affordable housing, Wesley Housing continues to address these challenges head-on. Since breaking ground on its first property in 1979 in Fairfax County, VA, the organization has grown significantly. Today, Wesley Housing proudly owns 30 communities in the DC metro region, comprising over 2,300 rental units and housing more than 3,800 residents. Despite immense progress, the need for more affordable housing persists. With over 700 units in its development pipeline to be produced by 2029, including new constructions and renovations, Wesley Housing continues to bridge this gap and meet the evolving needs of the community.
“Reflecting on Wesley’s impact over the past 50 years helps us put into perspective the value of the work that we do every day,” said Kamilah McAfee, President and CEO of Wesley Housing. “With the unwavering support of our dedicated volunteers, partners, and allies, Wesley Housing has been a catalyst for positive change, empowering thousands of individuals and families. As we celebrate our past achievements, we are not only inspired to continue building a hopeful future for all our residents but also committed to forging ahead, ensuring we advance our mission for decades to come.”
To commemorate the anniversary, Wesley Housing has unveiled a special 50th anniversary logo and theme: “Celebrating the Legacy of Our Past, Inspiring Hope for Our Future.” This message serves as a powerful reminder of the significant impact the organization has had on countless lives over the last 50 years, as well as the aspirations of the individuals and families who call Wesley Housing’s communities home. It speaks to the resilience of Wesley’s residents, whose past circumstances have shaped their journey, and whose future hopes are intrinsically woven into the fabric of our communities.
To learn more about Wesley Housing and how you can support its ongoing mission to expand affordable housing in the region and beyond, please visit: www.wesleyhousing.org.
About Wesley Housing: Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia, has worked to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing. Wesley Housing has acquired or developed over 2,900 rental units, providing quality housing for thousands of low-income individuals and families each year. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of its residents, including low- and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities and/or chronic disease. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org and follow @WesleyHousing on social media.
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