Unsung Hero
Property Management Association’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Council Awards
Winner:
Audrey Johnson
AHC Management LLC, 2230 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201, 703.271.8400
Audrey Johnson came to AHC Management
LLC in 2006 from the Arlington County
Department of Human Services, where she was
a housing specialist with the Section 8
Department. She has been in the housing field
for twenty years.
Audrey is the Resident Manager of The Gates of
Ballston, a very large property with a lot of
challenges. The Gates consists of 464 gardenstyle apartments in 43 buildings spread over 17
acres in the heart of Arlington. AHC purchased
The Gates in late 2002. The property was in very
poor condition, with major heating, plumbing, and air conditioning problems, in addition to
severe mold damage in many of the units.
When Audrey took over the management of the property, AHC was in the middle of an
extensive multimillion dollar renovation. The two-year renovation was being carried out in five
stages; each stage requiring the relocation of residents to other apartments at the complex.
Audrey helped to relocate 150 households temporarily from their original apartments to other
units on the site. She worked closely with the relocation specialist to minimize the
inconvenience to residents, identifying apartments suitable for each household, arranging for
moving vans, moving supplies, the transfer of utilities, and relocation payments. As a result of
her efforts, 129 original households chose to stay at The Gates following the long renovation.
During the renovation, Audrey had to keep the property in operation, collecting rents,
responding to residents’ needs, solving maintenance issues, ensuring the common areas were
clean and safe, and enforcing government regulations and rules. With more than 600 residents,
many with limited English language skills and large sections of the property under construction,
Ms. Johnson had her work cut out for her. She faced every challenge with skill, diplomacy,
humor, and concern for the well-being of the residents.
One of Ms. Johnson’s top priorities for The Gates has been to build a strong property
management team committed to providing superior, prompt service. Audrey believes in working
as a team. Her open and honest communication style encourages staff members to participate
in decision-making and to speak up when issues arise. She recognizes the skills and
capabilities of her staff and has promoted from within whenever possible. Her property
management team is well-organized, pro-active, and responsive to the needs of the community.
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Unsung Hero
Property Management Association’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Council Awards
Audrey Prior to AHC’s acquisition of The Gates, overcrowding was commonplace at the
property. Many residents sub-leased bedrooms in their apartments to friends and close
relatives, a standard practice in their native countries. AHC needed to eliminate this practice
and had to work with residents to resolve the problem as amicably as possible. Audrey has
worked diligently to educate residents about the occupancy rules and to help them understand
the importance of alleviating overcrowding. She is sensitive to the cultural differences within the
apartment community, while steadfastly enforcing the rules and regulations at the property.
The key to Audrey’s success is her belief in two-way communication. She has an “open door”
policy and encourages resident interaction. Audrey publishes a bilingual (English and Spanish)
monthly four-page newsletter for residents and holds monthly resident meetings to keep them
informed of activities at The Gates. She tours the property two-three times a week, frequently
stopping to visit with residents.
Audrey genuinely cares about the residents of
The Gates and she has drawn upon her
experience and contacts at Arlington County’s
Department of Human Services to help
residents get needed services. As a result of
her efforts, eligible residents have received
emergency financial assistance, housing
grants, and housing choice vouchers. They
have been referred for case management and
mental health services and learned of other
social service programs available in the
community.
The Gates of Ballston has been AHC’s most challenging housing development. Despite the
difficulties of managing a large property with a very culturally diverse resident population and a
complicated financing structure, Audrey Johnson has maintained a can-do attitude and
remained upbeat with a smile on her face. AHC is very fortunate to have her as part of our
management team and we proudly nominate her for the Unsung Hero award.
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