Enrollment in Alexandria and Arlington public schools is dropping because a lack of affordable housing in those areas is squeezing out families, city and county officials said.
“You can see a direct correlation between increased rents and decreased enrollment,” said Mark Jinks, Alexandria deputy city manager.
Enrollment in Alexandria’s schools has decreased from 10,979 in 2002 to 10,134 in 2005. Projected enrollment in 2011 is down to 9,538, said Amy Calini, executive director of information and outreach at Alexandria public schools.
At the same time, the percentage of rental apartments affordable to low-income residents has fallen from 42 percent in 2002 to 4 percent in 2005, according to Alexandria housing office statistics.
Jinks said that increased demand for rentals and skyrocketing home prices have pushed middle- and low-income residents out of Alexandria. He said the migration of people to the capital area in recent years has made affordable housing a difficult issue, not only in Alexandria but around the region.
Calini added that the city, concerned with declining enrollment numbers, has hired consultants to study the cause of the enrollment drops more closely.
Arlington is experiencing similar losses. Enrollment in public schools has gone from 19,140 in 2002 to 18,411 in 2005. Enrollment is expected to be down to 16,712 by 2011. This corresponds to a rent increase for a two-bedroom apartment from $999 in 2002 to $1,125 in 2005.
Laura Henderson, spokesman for Arlington public schools, said the city believes these increases have contributed to lowered enrollment, but also believes other factors are involved as well. She declined to comment on what those factors were.
Alexandria Housing Office Director Mildrilyn Stephens Davis said the conversion of apartments to condominiums has helped push low-income residents out of the area.
“We’ve had an incredible number of units converted to condos,” she said.
Davis said the city is working to acquire more properties that will be made available to families that make $45,150 or less per year for a family of four — the equivalent of 50 percent of Alexandria’s medium income.
At a glance
» Alexandria has 18 public schools; Arlington has 39.
» Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks said he believes many Alexandria residents are moving to Prince William.
» Phil Kavits, director of communication for Prince William Public School, said he anticipates adding 2,000 more students in the next year.
