The Arlington Tenant-Landlord Commission is currently navigating a heated dispute regarding the living conditions at The Shelton affordable-housing apartments.
On one side of the contention is the Green Valley Civic Association, claiming that the property’s management ignores serious issues such as drug use and necessary repairs.
On the opposing side is AHC Inc., the nonprofit organization overseeing the apartment complex, which argues that it is actively addressing the concerns raised by residents.
The tensions escalated during the July 9 Tenant-Landlord Commission meeting, where both parties exchanged accusations publicly.
AHC’s president and CEO, Paul Bernard, vehemently rejected many of the allegations leveled against the property’s management as “false,” “misconstrued,” and “irresponsible.”
He emphasized the efforts made to improve conditions at The Shelton, stating, “We have made numerous strides to address issues. We’ve tightened things up with our property management. When we hear about [issues], we try our best to respond.”
Bernard acknowledged that while they are not perfect, labeling the building or their management as a slum landlord was an exaggeration.
In contrast, Yordanos Woldai, the first vice president of the Green Valley Civic Association and head of its public safety committee, expressed strong disagreement with AHC’s assertions.
Woldai articulated the association’s growing concerns over safety and habitability, citing that “parents fear for their children’s safety” and that numerous residents feel trapped in their own homes.
Her comments highlighted issues such as “loitering, drug use, public urination, loud music, and violent altercations” in and around the building, which prompted the civic association to submit a letter to the Tenant-Landlord Commission a day before the meeting.
This letter outlined specific grievances and requested that these matters be addressed by September 30.
Andrew Ferreira, the chair of the commission and a tenant representative, has expressed a commitment to mediating the dispute.
“We’ll do our best to look into these concerns and work with AHC,” Ferreira stated.
He acknowledged the goal of meeting the September deadline but cautioned that there is a significant amount of fact-finding necessary.
Subsequent Tenant-Landlord Commission meetings are set for September 10 and October 8.
Kristin Clegg, another member of the commission representing landlords, suggested that some complaints could be more effectively addressed by county government staff, particularly through code enforcement.
The discussion at the meeting also raised the question of jurisdiction, as the complaints were brought forth by an outside group, the civic association, rather than the tenants of The Shelton themselves.
Frank Duncan, a resident of The Shelton, voiced frustration regarding non-residents escalating the matter, believing some issues could be tackled directly within the building.
Duncan described himself as a self-appointed troubleshooter for residents who wanted to address their concerns with management.
Despite this, Judith Davis, an activist from Green Valley, contended that keeping such grievances internal had failed to address the underlying problems.
She spoke of a daily stream of residents reaching out to her outside of traditional tenant-to-landlord communication channels, noting that some tenants are fearful of retaliation or have previously spoken up without receiving any relief.
The Shelton opened in 2009 and consists of 94 units aimed at providing affordable housing for residents earning at or below 50% of the area’s median income.
The ongoing concerns raised about The Shelton are part of a broader pattern of issues highlighted by the Green Valley Civic Association, including reports of shootings and public intoxication in the area.
In response to these claims, Bernard clarified that issues on the property should not be conflated with the actions of individuals who gather nearby, emphasizing that “most of those folks gathering in front aren’t our residents.”
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