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

Alexandria’s Office of Housing has launched a Housing 2040 Survey. The survey, due on January 12, 2025, invites residents to share concerns about rent, housing availability, and housing affordability, with options available in multiple languages. 

JBG Smith has announced plans to build 750 new residential units in Potomac Yard, across from the Potomac Yard Metro station. The project will include 550 multifamily units, 116 townhomes, and 100 affordable housing units on vacant lots south of the station. 

Alexandria City Council has approved the redevelopment of the long-vacant Victory Center into 377 rent-controlled housing units, along with a partial tax abatement for 25 years to support the conversion. 82 units will be affordable for households earning 50-60% AMI, with the rest available to those earning 80-100% AMI. The affordable units will remain rent-controlled for 40 years. Future phases could add another 450 market-rate residential units, along with retail, daycare, and open space. Construction is set to begin within two years, with the full project expected to be completed in phases over the next 15 years.

The Arlington County Board annual organizational meeting has been postponed until TODAY, Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 2:30pm. Note the new day and time of the hybrid meeting.

The FY2026 Budget Feedback Form closes tomorrow, Wed, Jan 8. How Should Arlington County Prioritize Spending? The County manager is developing his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026, and wants to understand the community's priorities. Share your feedback online by tomorrow - in English or Spanish.

The County released its first EHO Annual Data Report for FY2024 (July 2023 - June 2024), along with a spreadsheet of the raw data used in the analysis. The Board affirmed that the program was meeting its intended goals of providing more housing supply and options, however the court halted the program in the fall and the County is appealing that decision. 

The Housing Arlington Homeownership Study recommendations were released in December 2024. Using a social and racial equity lens, the recommendations focused on improving and expanding homeownership opportunities and broadening support for current low-income owners. Most recommendations will require additional County funding to complete. Budget season begins this month.

Arlington’s Continuum of Care (COC), which coordinates housing and services toward the goal of ending homelessness in Arlington, is currently recruiting members for its newly formed CoC Racial Equity Taskforce, as well as other subcommittees. 

CPHD has launched a Digital Equity Initiative, which seeks to empower all Arlingtonians with the tools and knowledge they need to fully participate in our tech-driven world, enabling and ensuring equitable opportunities for all residents. This month, a new Digital Equity Coalition is forming to develop a resource list, plan outreach and define success metrics. Affordable housing providers, housing service or advocacy organizations, and other community organizations are encouraged to join by completing the interest form.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is seeking developers to create affordable multi-family housing through two projects: the East County Property Redevelopment in Falls Church, offering 160 rental units (RFP open until March 28, 2025, with pre-proposal conference on January 30, 2025), and the Dulles Greene Property Redevelopment in Herndon, targeting 250 rental units (RFP open until April 11, 2025, with pre-proposal conference on February 6, 2025). Details and questions can be directed to the Contract & Procurement Coordinator, Fairfax County Department of Housing & Community Development, at [email protected].

Fairfax County is hosting an online community meeting TONIGHT, Tuesday, January 7, at 7pm,  to discuss proposals under the Franconia Triangle Study, including plans for mixed-income affordable housing at the Franconia Government Center. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their support for more housing options in Franconia.

Congratulations to Lincoln Avenue Communities, Cornerstones, and Fairfax County on breaking ground for the 279-unit affordable housing project, Residences at Government Center II. Located on a repurposed 4.5-acre parking lot near the Fairfax County Government Center, the project will provide housing for residents earning 30-70% AMI. The site will also feature community space, including a daycare facility. Expected to be completed in 2027, the project marks a significant step toward Fairfax's goal of 10,000 new affordable units by 2034.

Fairfax County is converting a vacant 94-room hotel near Route 50 and West Ox Road into  emergency housing for families and domestic violence survivors, with plans to open in Spring 2025. The project will consolidate services currently offered in Reston and provide temporary accommodations and support to help families transition to permanent housing. The board will vote on a minor variation to allow public use of the site on Jan. 14. The planning commission will follow with a public hearing on Jan. 29 to determine if the project aligns with the county’s comprehensive plan. 

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) Fiscal Year 2024 Report highlights $50 million invested in affordable housing, 470 new homes delivered, 2,000 units in development, and over 5,400 residents assisted with federal vouchers.

The finance committee of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors made recommendations on how to allocate surplus funding from the FY24 budget. This year’s expected surplus, at $250 million, is the largest in the county’s history. $7.4 million was allocated to the county’s housing fund. The recommendations will be discussed TONIGHT at the Board’s Business Meeting on January 7 at 4 pm at the Loudoun County Government Center. 

The Loudoun Chamber will host their annual Board of Supervisors breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 8:00 am at Belmont Country Club, featuring Tammy Neal, CEO of Virginia Housing, as the keynote speaker.

Green Street Housing and Good Works have repaid $2 million of a $2.5 million loan from Loudoun County’s Affordable Multifamily Loan Program, 30 years ahead of schedule. This marks the first early repayment in the program’s history and highlights the success of Waxpool Apartments, a 52-unit income-restricted community near the Ashburn Metro Station. The project provides housing for essential workers, families, and individuals with disabilities and was funded through public-private partnerships.

Loudoun County’s development application process faces inefficiencies, overwhelmed staff, and long review times, according to a consultant report presented to the Board of Supervisors. The report, based on input from county employees and developers, offered 132 recommendations. Supervisors expressed concerns about the feasibility of implementing so many changes, with some suggesting phased implementation and increased salaries to fill vacancies. The next phase of the report, focusing on administrative processes, will be presented this month.

The public hearing on the proposed Oaklawn Data Center and Affordable Housing Development was deferred to the Leesburg Town Council meeting on January 28. Last November, the Planning Commission recommended denying the application, citing concerns about the potential impacts the data center would have on their communities.

Prince William County will begin construction in April on a $26 million homeless navigation center, scheduled to open in January 2027. The goal is to transition residents to permanent housing within 75 days. The center will replace the county’s current hypothermia shelter, addressing growing homelessness exacerbated by the pandemic.

Community Housing Initiative, Inc. is set to break ground on The Harbor at Quantico Creek, the largest affordable senior housing development in Dumfries, VA. The $41 million project will provide 125 one- and two-bedroom units for adults aged 62 and older with incomes between 30% and 80% of the area median income. 

The 2025 Regional Housing Market Forecast by the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) and George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis highlights affordability challenges for buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers, despite an expected increase in inventory. While single-family home prices are forecast to rise between 1.5% and 9.9%, affordable housing remains a concern as the need continues to outpace supply, especially in high-demand areas like Arlington and Alexandria. Stabilized mortgage rates near 6% may provide some relief, but affordability issues persist across the region.

Virginia Housing Alliance’s 2025 legislative agenda for the upcoming General Assembly session focuses on strategic investments and policies to increase access to quality affordable housing and end homelessness across Virginia. Learn more about their priorities. To support these efforts, VHA is hosting Housing Advocacy Day on February 5, 2025, providing opportunities for advocates to engage legislators in-person.

• Fact Check: New Housing Doesn’t Lead to Overcrowded Schools, Shelterforce

• Rebuilding Together: How One Baltimore Program Advanced Both Education and Community Development, ShelterForce

• Housing policies must improve to meet older adults’ needs, Smart Cities Dive

• Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies: Housing 2024 Report, JCHS

• Which places would be most affected by the Trump administration’s immigrant deportation proposals? Brookings Institute

• Immigrant Rights Resources