NEARLY 20 COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT DC METRO OPEN DOORS TO SHOWCASE BENEFITS OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ON ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
REGION’S FIRST-EVER ‘PARADE OF HOMES’ CELEBRATES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT, HIGHLIGHTS CONNECTION BETWEEN HOMES AND JOBS
FEATURES COMMUNITIES IN MARYLAND, WASHINGTON, D.C. AND NOVA
WASHINGTON DC METRO – April 19, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Communications Action Network (CAN) is hosting the region’s first-ever affordable communities Parade of Homes on May 18, 2013, from 11 am – 3 pm. Communities will open their doors to the public throughout Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. Designed to illustrate the importance of housing affordability to the health and vitality of the local economy, this event will feature affordable single-family homes, multifamily rental housing and homeownership communities in close proximity to local jobs centers.
“The challenge for low- and moderate-income employees to find housing that is affordable is growing,” said Michelle Krocker, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, and one of CAN’s founders. “These workers maintain jobs that are vital to our economy and our quality of life in the metropolitan area. We applaud our elected officials who have identified housing affordability as a top priority for the region. Organizations supporting CAN are committed to keeping the public’s attention on this issue by illustrating real examples of what’s working.”
The CAN Parade of Homes will not feature homes that are available for rent or sale, but rather homes that are already making a difference for our region’s families and economy. The majority of the properties are green and affordable, with cost-saving energy-efficient measures that provide significant benefits for residents. Most of these properties also provide vital resident services necessary for vulnerable populations to thrive and succeed. Services may include job placement programs, first-time homebuyer programs, on-site childcare and after school tutoring, medical and mental health assistance, as well as adult programs designed specifically to teach life skills such as financial literacy, computer education and English as a Second Language.
Launched in response to the current and growing shortage of housing that is affordable to a variety of incomes, CAN is a coalition of more than 150 businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and individuals dedicated to sharing research and success stories that promote the positive impact housing affordability has on the economy for both employers and its workforce, as well as to encourage discussion that promotes regional strategies to meet the Washington metro area’s growing housing needs.
Further information on the CAN Parade of Homes go to the network’s newly launched website, www.CANInitiative.org, where visitors can also find the latest research, resources, success stories and more.
###
The Communications Action Network (CAN) is supported by a grant from the United Way of the National Capital Area, and convened by BB&T Community Development Bank and three area housing organizations – the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers and the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance. Other CAN members hail from a variety of sectors focused on community revitalization, including affordable housing development and preservation, residential services, financial institutions, as well as utility companies and law firms.
Contact:
Laura K. Nickle 703-698-8151
TeAnne Chennault 213-399-6467
