While supportive of the city overall, Alexandrians have issues with the cost of living and housing affordability in the city, according to a survey of 634 residents that the City Council will receive at its meeting tonight (Tuesday).
The Community Livability Report’s Resident Survey 2020 includes opinions on the livability of Alexandria, and while the reviews are mostly positive there are a number of areas that need work, according to the respondents.
“As with many attractive communities, affordability was an issue,” the report says. “The cost of living and housing affordability were rated positively by fewer than two in 10 community members. These ratings were lower than the national benchmarks and received the lowest quality ratings of any items on the survey.”
The city plans on working with a number of city departments, as well as Jacqueline Tucker, the city’s Race and Social Equity Officer, to “further analyze and use these results to inform and continuously improve City services,” according to a powerpoint presentation that will be provided to council.
According to the report:
- Most residents were positive about the quality of life in the city, with 58% rating it as good, 28% as excellent, 12% as fair and 2% as poor
- A majority of residents said the city was a nice place to live, with 45% rating it as excellent, 46% as good, 8% fair and 1% poor
- 85% have an overall feeling of safety
- 77% said Alexandria is a good place to raise children
- 58% said the police department is excellent
- 56% approve of the overall quality of city services
- 46% said the city is a good place to retire
- 41% said there was a good sense of community
- 37% said the city was excellent or good at repairing streets
- 31% said there is enough public parking
- 18% approved of the cost of living
Staff photo by James Cullum
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
