BRAVO works to build an inter-class and multi-cultural coalition of tenants who proactively attempt to preserve existing affordable rental housing and the economic and cultural diversity of Arlington, keep low-income and minority residents from being displaced from their homes, and prevent the destruction of their neighborhoods due to private market redevelopment and gentrification. BRAVO builds this coalition by educating low and moderate income tenants about their rights and responsibilities while developing tenant leadership and community participation skills.

BRAVO organizes at the grassroots level, focusing on tenants living in affordable housing units with housing code violations and other poor quality of life conditions. BRAVO empowers tenants to participate in decision-making processes. An organized and aware tenant base that can actively advocate for tenants' rights within apartment complexes and effectively work to preserve affordable housing on the County level is necessary in addressing Arlington's housing crisis.

Founded as a coalition in the Spring of 2000 in response to the loss of 720 affordable housing units in Arna Valley, BRAVO has established itself as a prominent and trusted non profit organization that advocates for the poor and immigrant populations of Arlington. BRAVO is the only countywide organization that mobilizes tenants to fight for their rights and confront the system of oppression that holds low-income and minority tenants as second-class citizens.

Due to the severity of the housing crisis in Northern Virginia, BRAVO has been busy responding to the massive displacement due to rampant redevelopment and rapid rent increases. BRAVO has worked in over 40 apartment complexes housing in excess of 5,000 units. BRAVO has assisted the residents of five apartment complexes in forming tenant associations; empowered tenants to use the political system to advocate for projects and policies that benefit the low-income tenant community and to promote greater attention to affordable housing issues in the County; succeeded in working with the tenants and the community to save 109 units of affordable housing in Columbia Heights West; assisted multiple tenant groups through the relocation process; and succeeded in working with tenants to improve living conditions in their units and at their properties.

BRAVO has collaborated with Catholics for Housing on matters related to tenant education and housing as a social justice issue since 2000.