Affordable Homes & Communities

Affordable Homes & Communities in Arlington is awarded a $1,000 Green Grant in the Recycling and Waste Reduction category as part of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 15th Annual Green Grants program.

Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address environmental concerns in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling & Waste Reduction, Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling, or Community Beautification.

Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing safe, stable, and affordable housing for individuals and families. The organization launched its Resident Services in 1993 to address four cornerstone areas which are economic mobility, health and wellness, community building and engagement, and education and youth development.

AHC’s Resident Services team hosts weekly food distributions to support residents facing food insecurity. During these distributions, they often rely on paper or donated plastic bags to package and deliver groceries. While this system helps meet immediate needs, they recognize the environmental impact and the opportunity to be more intentional and sustainable.

The Affordable Homes & Communities’ Green Grant project aims to introduce durable, insulated reusable bags that residents can use each week to receive their groceries. These bags will feature the phrase “Keep Virginia Beautiful” to promote environmental awareness and community pride. By encouraging the return and reuse of these bags, they hope to reduce waste, cut costs, and promote a culture of responsibility and sustainability among residents. The organization believes it’s important to build habits that support both their communities and the planet and believes this small change can spark a larger conversation around sustainability, dignity, and shared accountability.

The Green Grant initiative is about more than bags; it’s about building habits that support both our communities and our planet. AHC believes this small change can spark a larger conversation around sustainability, dignity, and shared accountability.

Thank you, Affordable Homes & Communities, for offering a practical, green solution that supports your mission of creating thriving, resilient communities.