Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority CEO Erik C. Johnson issued a lengthy statement Thursday morning acknowledging “valid” tenant concerns and detailing reforms implemented since he took the helm in September 2024.
The statement comes two days after ALXnow reported that tenants plan to protest on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at ARHA headquarters over delayed payments, service issues, and other problems.
Johnson admitted the agency “fell behind on completing recertifications, which impacted payments to landlords and affected some tenant ledger accounts.” He also acknowledged ARHA failed to perform adequate preventive maintenance and must improve property management operations.
“Most importantly, we must treat our residents — our customers — with the respect, empathy, and customer service they deserve,” Johnson said in the statement provided by spokesperson Dennille Schuler. “The agency is responsible for upholding its part of the social contract, and we must do so without excuses.”
Staffing overhaul and operational changes
Johnson said ARHA has “transitioned over 20% of its workforce since January 2025” to better respond to resident needs. The agency has also resolved the backlog of recertifications, ensured timely payments to landlords and corrected tenant ledger accounts, according to the statement.
ARHA launched a capital improvement campaign that will continue through 2026 and is working to redevelop its public housing portfolio, Johnson said.
The CEO also defended the agency’s push for more consistent rent payments from residents, calling it essential given “changes in the federal landscape, financial markets, and ARHA’s ongoing ability to provide housing and services.”
“Both ARHA and our residents must commit to a new, more honest relationship — one rooted in mutual accountability, respect, and shared responsibility,” Johnson said.
Addressing misrepresentations
Johnson pushed back against several criticisms, clarifying that ARHA remains open daily but operates by appointment only on certain days “to ensure residents receive timely, personalized service without long wait times.”
He disputed claims that rents approach market rate, noting public housing residents pay either 30% of their income or a flat rent set at approximately 90% of Small Area Fair Market Rent.
Johnson also said he has not been formally invited to Resident Council meetings, with one exception when he could not attend due to a family obligation. He said neither he, his leadership team nor the ARHA Board of Commissioners have received formal meeting requests from residents.
Protest still planned
Organizer Loren Depina previously told ALXnow that dozens of protesters are expected at Wednesday’s 10 a.m. demonstration at ARHA headquarters at 401 Wythe St. in Old Town.
The protest targets what organizers call “ongoing issues,” including delayed rental payments to landlords, paperwork backlogs and caseworker abandonment.
ARHA owns and manages 754 affordable housing units, 165 project-based vouchers and 169 market-rate units at 17 sites citywide, according to its website.
Johnson concluded his statement by expressing openness to meeting with residents: “Together, we can rebuild trust and create successful affordable housing communities within the City of Alexandria.”
Full Statement from Erik Johnson, ARHA CEO
Vision and Mission
My goal for ARHA is for it to be a people-first agency. ARHA’s mission is to support the development, preservation, and management of housing for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and individuals and working families who struggle to find affordable and accessible housing. We are bound by a social contract—one based on the understanding that ARHA will provide quality housing or housing assistance to those in need. In return, residents are expected to pay rent on time, care for their homes to the best of their ability, and treat their neighbors with respect.
Acknowledgment of Past Challenges
Many of the concerns raised by residents are valid. The agency fell behind on completing recertifications, which impacted payments to landlords and affected some tenant ledger accounts. ARHA also did not do enough preventive maintenance on its properties and must improve its property management operations. Most importantly, we must treat our residents—our customers—with the respect, empathy, and customer service they deserve. The agency is responsible for upholding its part of the social contract, and we must do so without excuses.
Actions Taken
Since becoming CEO in September 2024, less than a year ago, I have led a series of changes to better serve our residents and restore trust. During my tenure, the agency has made significant staffing changes—transitioning over 20% of its workforce since January 2025. These changes were necessary to better respond to resident needs and address long-standing community concerns. In addition, we have:
- Resolved the backlog of recertifications;
- Ensured timely payments to landlords;
- Corrected tenant ledger accounts;
- Launched a capital improvement campaign that will continue through 2026; and
- Continued efforts to redevelop our public housing portfolio to create new, high-quality units for families in need.
These changes are necessary and widely supported. However, not all changes have been popular. At my direction, ARHA has asked residents to be more consistent in paying rent on time—to fulfill their part of the social contract. In light of changes in the federal landscape, financial markets, and ARHA’s ongoing ability to provide housing and services, this shift was essential. We all had to grow and adapt—together. Both ARHA and our residents must commit to a new, more honest relationship—one rooted in mutual accountability, respect, and shared responsibility. Only then can we truly move forward and build the kind of communities we all deserve.
Clarifications and Misrepresentations
I also want to address a few misrepresentations that have been circulating.
- ARHA is open every day. On certain days, we operate by appointment only to ensure residents receive timely, personalized service without long wait times.
- Our rents are not close to market rate. Public housing residents pay either 30% of their income or a flat rent. Flat rents have been set at approximately 90% of Small Area Fair Market Rent, based on local market comparability studies.
- Resident Council engagement. With the exception of one occasion when I could not attend due to a family obligation, I have not been invited to attend Resident Council meetings. Neither I, my leadership team, nor the ARHA Board of Commissioners have received formal requests to meet. Had we been asked, I believe we would have found common ground on many of the concerns raised.
Commitment to the Future
I remain committed to making ARHA a people-first agency—one that listens, learns, and leads with empathy and integrity. We are open to meeting with our residents, hearing their concerns, and working together to find collaborative solutions. Together, we can rebuild trust and create successful affordable housing communities within the City of Alexandria.
