On September 24th, the Washington, DC Local Initiatives Support Corporation (DC LISC) released a new book entitled Becoming What We Can Be: Stories of Community Development in Washington, DC. The new book, Becoming What We Can Be, marks DC LISC’s 30th Anniversary and features nine trailblazers who have had a significant, lasting impact in community development, along with 16 chapters on the transformation of Washington, DC neighborhoods. Infused in the chapters are the voices of 60 oral histories from elected officials, staff of nonprofits, bankers, philanthropists, developers and others. The book is available in hard copy and online through Kindle, Nook and iPad.

A unique partnership between Arlington County and the Arlington Community Foundation, in collaboration with Arlington nonprofits, will provide housing and services to some of the county’s most vulnerable homeless persons. This is a key strategy for implementation of the Arlington County 100 Homes Campaign. This campaign is part of a larger, statewide initiative 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Homeless Virginians, led by the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. With the Department of Human Services and Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, 83 individuals have been identified in greatest need and efforts are underway to provide housing and supportive services. Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) announced their participation in this initiative by providing 10 apartments at very low rents. The partnership will provide $1 million to underwrite rents of $556 per month for households earning no more than 30% of area median income. The units will remain affordable at this level for the next 30 years. Additional funds will create a Rental Reserve to further reduce rents for persons coming out of homelessness.