City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 5, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Loan of $145,000 to Friends of Guest Housing to Partially Fund Renovation of 120 S. Payne Street for Expanded Residential Program
BODY
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ISSUE: A loan of $145,000 to Friends of Guest House to complete the funding package to renovate 120 S. Payne Street for an expanded residential program (Attachment 1).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a loan of $145,000 from the Housing Trust Fund to help Friends of Guest House complete its renovation of 120 S. Payne Street for an expanded residential program; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute related documents.
BACKGROUND: Friends of Guest House is an established Alexandria nonprofit that provides formerly incarcerated women housing and other support through a six-month program as they begin reintegrating into the community. Last year, Friends of Guest House was able to secure a long-term lease on a property in Old Town that would allow it to expand the number of persons it serves at any time by 20% (from 26 to 31) as well as gain case management efficiencies since this location will allow Guest House to consolidate its some current scattered site apartments it uses. Demand for the program is high: more than 400 women apply to participate each year.
A Special Use Permit (SUP) was approved to allow Friends of Guest House to operate the residential program at 120 S. Payne, and the nonprofit has executed a 10-year lease, with additional renewals possible. With assistance from HomeAid (the NVBIA-sponsored pro bono construction program), Friends of Guest House has planned renovations necessary for its program. The total cost of the renovation work is estimated at approximately $342,000. So far, in addition to the pro bono ...
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