about ahip

mission & history

AHIP’s mission is to strengthen families, improve the affordable housing stock and make our community a better place for all.

AHIP began as “SCRUB”, an all-volunteer grass-roots effort to clean up debris and repair damaged houses in the wake of 1969’s devastating Hurricane Camille. Through this work, volunteers became keenly aware of substandard housing conditions. The volunteer group grew into AHIP, which became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1976.

what we do

Community Construction. AHIP’s Community Construction programs, which operate in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Greene County, encompass small repairs to major home renovations for low-income families. Financial counseling, maintenance education, and service referrals are all essential pieces of AHIP’s rehab and repair programs. Community Construction keeps families in their homes, and keeps them safe in their homes:

Housing Rehabilitation. Low-income homeowners often find themselves facing small to major housing rehab needs without the means to address them. AHIP helps residents of Albemarle County, Charlottesville and Greene County tackle major repairs, fix health and safety hazards, and lower their utility costs by increasing their energy efficiency.
Emergency Home Repair. Low-income residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle can call on AHIP to lend a hand with minor but urgent repairs. This program addresses minor but urgent repair needs for very low-income households in Albemarle County. Homeownership is not required, and mobile homes are eligible.

Community Housing. AHIP fills our area’s affordable housing gap by preserving and creating not just affordable rental units, but liveable and desirable neighborhoods:

Park’s Edge Apartments. Located in Albemarle County, Park’s Edge is home to more than 200 people. A range of programs, such as the Park’s Edge After School program, serves the Park’s Edge neighborhood and the greater community.
Treesdale Park Apartments. Currently in development, Treesdale Park is a collaboration between AHIP and Pinnacle Construction & Development Company. Located in Albemarle County, Treesdale will provide 88 new units of new affordable rental housing as well as site-based programs for resident families.

Collaboration. AHIP is the only organization of its kind in the Charlottesville region, but we do not operate alone. Our partnerships—with the County of Albemarle, the City of Charlottesville, local housing agencies, local service organizations and hundreds of energetic volunteers—fuel our programs and services. Together with the generosity of our funders and contributors, we are making healthy housing the foundation of a healthy community.

whom we serve

AHIP serves 350 to 400 people each year. While most AHIP programs are eligible for client households who earn up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, most of our clients fall into the 20 to 50 percent of AMI range.

Diverse in age, background and experiences, our clients share common challenges: the struggle to make ends meet, to make essential repairs to their homes, to find and maintain an affordable place to live.

AHIP is committed to helping our clients conquer housing distress and insecurity, which impacts family well-being, child development, and the ability of all household members to achieve and thrive.

where we work

The generous support of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville allows AHIP to serve residents in need across both localities. AHIP also works collaboratively with Skyline Community Action Partnership in Greene County.