A CURATED LIST OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTS AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTERS

March 2024

We are excited to continue to implement our Unification with the Alliance for Housing Solutions. Stay tuned for more information about our merger and work ahead.  If you know or work with someone who would be interested in our newsletter and free educational programming, please invite them to sign-up here.

It is budget season and local advocacy is needed in support of housing resources. NVAHA & AHS hosted a Local Budget Advocacy Training last week with some of our community partners. If you missed the session, you can view the presentation slides and recording.

Budget Process & Documents

• No proposed changes in real estate tax, personal property tax, or other tax rates for City residents or businesses.
• Affordable Housing: affordable housing and eviction prevention funding totaling $33.1 M.
• $16.8 M total for affordable housing which represents an increase of 5.8% over last year.
• First opportunity for public comment is March 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm, other opportunities can be found in the Budget Calendar.

JBG SMITH announced plans to maintain the affordability of 500 units of affordable workforce housing in Alexandria, alongside the development of a new Sports and Entertainment District. 

The Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University assessed the Potomac Yard Entertainment District, determining it as a significant contributor to addressing housing needs in the City of Alexandria. Alexandria's current shortfall in meeting its goal of producing 2,250 Workforce Affordable housing units by 2030 will be substantially supported by the proposed development in Phase 1, potentially exceeding longer-term goals for workforce housing.

Budget Process & Documents

• The County Board unanimously passed a motion to advertise at a 2.5 cent increase to the Real Estate Tax Rate.

• The proposed budget includes $110 million dedicated to housing programs, with an emphasis on stabilizing housing for households in need. 

• These investments include $15.1 million for the County’s Housing Grant Program, which also supports a new pilot housing grants category for youth aging out of foster care, $5.7 million for Permanent Supportive Housing, and $2.3 million for Eviction Prevention. 

• The budget also includes $20.5 million for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF).

• Visit the Budget Calendar for more information on how to give public input. 

The Arlington Community Foundation released a report on Arlington’s guaranteed income pilot. Initial findings indicate positive outcomes. Despite these gains, challenges persist, particularly regarding housing affordability and household debt.

The Arlington County Board has approved the redevelopment of the existing Goodwill retail and donation center, paving the way for 128 new committed affordable housing units, retail space, and on-site affordable childcare center. This project is developed in partnership between Goodwill of Greater Washington and Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC).

Arlington County is seeking feedback for the Melwood GLUP Study. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the document and provide feedback through the online comment form, which will remain open until March 4.  

The Arlington Community Foundation has released a new paper "Achieving Deeper CAF Affordability Countywide". While some progress has been made in creating "deep affordability" units, these 30% AMI units still represent less than 1% of the County's Committed Affordable Units (CAFs), despite significant need. The Foundation recommends specific actions for the County Board to adopt a policy goal of achieving at least 10% of units affordable at 30% AMI in all County-funded CAF projects, backed by increased Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) allocations and policy alignment.

Interested in staying up to date on Arlington housing news? Sign up for the Alliance for Housing Solutions’ Mobilize platform.

Budget Process & Documents

• The budget is based on a $1.135 Real Estate Tax rate, which partially funds both the schools request and the employee compensation package. The proposed budget calls for a 4-cent increase in the current real estate tax rate. 

• FY 2025 anticipated expenditures supporting HCD and FCRHA activities total $184M, including $37M in General Fund support, $50.4M in other County appropriated funds, and $96.9M in Non-County appropriated funds. 

• Visit the Budget Calendar for more information on how to give public input during the process.

Cornerstones is proposing to construct Fair Ridge Residential at West Ox, a permanent supportive housing development with 34 residential units. Public hearings on the plan amendment by the Board of Supervisors and planning commission will likely take place in May.

We hope to see you at the 2024 Fairfax County Housing Symposium, which brings together elected leaders, industry professionals, policy experts, housing advocates, and county residents to discuss the value of affordable housing within our community. The symposium will take place on Wednesday, March 6 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Harris Theatre of George Mason University. 

Fairfax County will initiate a new phase of public engagement on potential development projects in Reston through the Site-Specific Plan Amendments (SSPA) process. An initial community meeting discussing these applications is scheduled for Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive). The proposed developments include Reston Corner, Roland Clarke Place, Samuel Morse Drive, and Roger Bacon Drive, each addressing the need for diverse housing options in the area.

Residents living in affordable housing supported by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) can now apply for academic scholarships starting March 1, 2024. This initiative offers up to ten recipients a $5,000 scholarship for postsecondary education and technical training. The application deadline is April 30, 2024, at 4:30 pm. 

Fairfax County is seeking public feedback on the draft Fiscal Year 2025 One-Year Action Plan, which details the allocation of federal housing funds to address community needs. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the Draft FY 2025 One-Year Action Plan at 4:00 p.m. on March 19, 2024. 

Public feedback is requested regarding  the proposed changes stemming from the recommendations of the Workforce Dwelling Unit For-Sale Task Force, including adjustments to initial WDU sales prices for improved affordability.  Any questions can be directed to the WDU Program Administrator by calling (703) 246-5095, TTY 711 or by email to [email protected] with subject line, ATTN: Affordable and Workforce Housing Program Administrator.

Budget Process & Documents

• The proposed budget has been prepared at a real property tax rate of $0.875 per $100 of assessed value, which is the current real property tax rate and consistent with the Board’s guidance.

• The budget includes $7.4 M for affordable housing, which continues the dedication of the equivalent of one-half cent of the real property tax rate to affordable housing needs. We are advocating for one full cent for affordable housing.

• The last opportunity to provide public comment is tomorrow, Saturday, March 2 at 9 am. Call 703-777-0204 to sign up to speak. Public input may be provided in person or virtually.

Loudoun County will launch the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative on Friday, March 1, 2024, introducing a targeted waitlist for the county’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program aimed exclusively at eligible young adults facing or at risk of homelessness. For more information call 703-737-8213, send an email to [email protected] or visit loudoun.gov/hcv. 

Loudoun County is hosting information sessions throughout February and March to provide details on home improvement program grants available to residents. The grants offer financial assistance for repairs and accessibility improvements based on eligibility criteria, including the Home Accessibility and Repair Program, the Granting Freedom Program, and the Rental Unit Accessibility Modification Program, each tailored to specific needs and income levels.

Budget Process & Documents

• The proposed budget has been prepared using a $0.966 real estate tax rate.

• The budget includes $46 M for Housing and Community Development.

• The proposed budget also creates an affordable housing office within the Office of Housing and Community Development, and the proposed five-year plan programs annual contributions beginning in FY2027 to an affordable housing trust to promote the construction of affordable housing units in the county.

• Visit the Budget Calendar for more information on how to give public input during the process.

On February 20th, Prince William County posted its recent draft of the Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance. Users can now navigate through the project tasks to stay informed about the progress made.

The 2024 Northern Virginia Housing Expo will be held on March 23, at Charles Colgan High School in Manassas. The event will be free and open to the public. Sponsor registration for the March 23 event includes a virtual booth in the online exhibit hall, which is available to visitors 24/7 all year long.

DBHDS seeks proposals from qualified providers to establish new Supportive Housing teams in Northern Virginia. Applications are open until April 5th. For questions about WebGrants, contact [email protected]. For inquiries regarding Supportive Housing and Supportive Housing Fidelity, reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be hosting a hybrid event, titled How Local Governments Innovate to Meet Community Housing Needs, on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 2:00-4:00 pm ET.

The Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) is accepting applications for the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Leadership Institute (BLI), a 10-month intensive program designed to foster a new generation of BIPOC housing and community development leaders in Virginia. The application period will remain open until March 15, 2024.

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund has announced the opening of the fiscal year 2024 funding round for the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF), providing funding for affordable housing and community development projects. Approximately $246.5 million in awards will be made available, with a deadline for applications set for April 16. Organizations must submit the required SF-424 form by March 14 through grants.gov and complete other application steps by April 12, with support offered through live webinars and a Tax Credit Tuesday podcast episode focused on the application process.

• Cheaper housing production in Maryland? Parking reform bills take a swing, GGWashington

• America’s Rental Housing 2024, Joint Center for Housing Studies

• Amid a Housing Crunch, Religious Groups Unlock Land to Build Homes, NY Times