Tenants of ARHA prepare to demonstrate due to delays in rent payments and service concerns
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) is facing a series of challenges, as highlighted by a recent protest at its headquarters. Housing advocate Loren Depina organized the event, which is set to take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 401 Wythe Street in Old Town. Depina expects dozens of protestors to turn out, rallying against poor living conditions, mold issues, mismanagement of rental ledgers, lost payments, and evictions affecting tenants.
ARHA, which operates every day, has made efforts to ensure timely, personalized service without long wait times by operating by appointment only on certain days. Despite these efforts, the agency has faced criticism for not doing enough preventive maintenance on its properties and for mismanaging its property management operations.
The ongoing issues have affected not only the tenants but also the landlords, with delayed rental payments being a significant concern. ARHA has, however, ensured timely payments to landlords and has resolved the backlog of recertifications, which had impacted payments to landlords and affected some tenant ledger accounts.
ARHA owns and manages a total of 754 affordable housing units, 165 project-based vouchers, and 169 market-rate units at 17 sites in the city. The agency's mission is to support the development, preservation, and management of housing for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and individuals and working families who struggle to find affordable and accessible housing.
ARHA CEO, Erik Johnson, has led a series of changes since September 2024, including staffing changes that transitioned over 20% of its workforce since January 2025. Johnson stated that his goal for ARHA is for it to be a people-first agency. He has not been invited to Resident Council meetings, with the exception of one occasion due to a family obligation.
In response to the protests, ARHA has expressed its commitment to meeting with residents, hearing their concerns, and working together to find collaborative solutions. The agency is also redeveloping its public housing portfolio to create new, high-quality units for families in need. A capital improvement campaign has been launched, set to continue through 2026.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that ARHA has a responsibility to uphold its part of the social contract and treat its residents with the respect, empathy, and customer service they deserve. The agency's actions moving forward will be closely watched, and the hope is that they will lead to positive change for the residents of Alexandria.
