February 2025 Edition

The Alexandria City Manager will present the FY26 Proposed Budget on February 25, 2025, in the Council Chamber (301 King Street, Alexandria, VA) and via Zoom, in person, on government channel 70, and streaming on the City's website.

The Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee (AHAAC) will hold its next monthly meeting on Thursday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m. As part of the Housing 2040 process, ARHA will provide a presentation on its mission, current repositioning strategy, and information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, who it serves, and what the public housing waitlist and HCV tell us about housing needs in the City.

The City of Alexandria is sponsoring four free educational sessions in FY 2025 for condominium and community association members, open to both Alexandria and Arlington residents. The first workshop, “Insurance - What Owners Should Know” and “Let’s Talk Water Damage,” will be held on Saturday, February 8, from 9:30 - 11:30am. Registration required.

Next Monday, February 10, the Planning Commission will consider Wesley Housing's Melwood Redevelopment proposal on 23rd St, S. This project would create 100+ new affordable units of which ⅓ would be reserved for adults with differing abilities along with job readiness and onsite supports. Testimony can be virtual or in-person and is especially beneficial if you live in/near Aurora Highlands.

To inform our budget season, Arlington announced that its overall property tax base grew modestly from 2024 while commercial values were largely flat. Residential property values showed 3.7% overall growth, while commercial property increased only 0.1%.

The County Board has reinstated its Open Door Mondays program. Residents can speak directly with a CB member in virtual meetings at 7pm, with one in-person meeting on the 4th Monday of the month at 6pm.

Arlington’s Digital Equity Initiative is hosting free digital skills training in English and Spanish on February 18-20 at Arlington Mill Community Center.

Arlington residents are invited to join Alexandria City’s free Condo Association trainings - see Alex City info above.

The County Board has released its Vision Arlington 2050 initiative report.  You can read residents’ input and vision for housing, parks, schools, transit, etc. NVAHA-Arlington’s joint Spanish-speaking resident outreach effort with Bu-GATA is highlighted on pages 11-12. 

Fairfax County has opened the waitlist for select subsidized housing properties for seniors. Applications are now open to households aged 62 or older. Property details and application are available on the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority website.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved two redevelopment projects in Oakton that would replace aging commercial buildings with housing. The projects include 186 triplexes and 88 townhouses at Flint Office Park and 196 townhouses at Redwood Plaza.

The Fairfax County Planning Commision approved plans to convert a former hotel in Fair Oaks into an emergency family shelter on January 29. Fair Ridge Shelter will replace family beds at the Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston, which will shift to serving single adults. The shelter is expected to open by April 1, 2025.

Fairfax County’s 2025 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process is now open for public input. Until February 13, residents can submit proposals to amend the county’s land use plans for specific sites. 

The Franconia Governmental Center is under review for potential multi-family and retail redevelopment. The Planning Commission public hearing is scheduled on February 12 and the Board of Supervisors public hearing on March 18.

Fairfax County’s Plan Forward initiative continues as part of the multi-year process update to the Countywide Policy Plan, aimed at streamlining policies and aligning them to the One Fairfax Policy. As part of this effort, a Healthy Communities White Paper has been released, outlining health trends and recommendations to inform policy updates.

Fairfax County is moving forward with plans to redevelop the Crescent Apartments near Lake Anne is Reston, reviving efforts to replace the aging 181-unit affordable housing complex with a mix of affordable and market-rate homes. The Board of Supervisors has authorized staff to begin transferring the property to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), which will seek private development proposals.

Loudoun County’s Public Hearings on the FY26 Budget will be held on Wednesday, February 26 at 3pm and 6pm and Saturday, March 1 at 9am in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center (1 Harrison St, Leesburg). Learn more on how to sign up and speak at the budget hearings here. 

On January 7, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved uses of the over $250 million balance from the FY24 budget. The high balance was attributed in part to over $100 million in data center revenue. $7.4 million will be contributed to the county’s Housing Fund.

Loudoun’s Finance Committee approved a loan of $15 million to True Ground Housing Partners to develop 137 units of attainable housing serving residents at 30-60% AMI. This is the largest loan request the county has received, approved at a leverage ratio of 1:3.8. The application will be funded through the county’s Housing Fund. 

The Leesburg Town Council approved updates to the Crescent District Master Plan that will guide redevelopment opportunities outside the historic district, including additional language to provide bonus density for developments that include affordable housing, green building techniques, community amenities, and pedestrian connections. 

Loudoun County nonprofit organizations are encouraged to participate in one of three upcoming meetings to gain insights and share feedback on the County’s Human Services Nonprofit Grant Program. The grant awards currently focus on crisis intervention and diversion, improved quality of human services, long-term support, and prevention and self-sufficiency.

Prince William County has issued new Community Engagement Guidance for land use applications seeking Board of Supervisors approval, effective January 16, 2025.  

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) released a new State of the Region demographic report entitled Shifting Migration Patterns of Northern Virginia: Affordable Housing Needs. The report and other demographic data and reports can be found on NVRC’s Northern Virginia Region Dashboard.

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce says housing affordability is ‘a serious regional issue,’ after surveying over 100 local CEO’s. 

AARP’s 2025 Community Challenge Grants applications are open until March 5th for small, community focused grants are available for projects in these categories:

- Flagship Grants: expand the range of accessible and affordable housing options

- Capacity Building Microgrants: training on HomeFit Guide Modifications

- Demonstration Grants: housing design competitions

Watch this recently released and well-researched YouTube video by Falls Church Council Member Justine Underhil, Luxury vs. Homelessness. It addresses many of the region’s concerns with a non-judgmental, almost entertaining framing, and includes examples from Arlington, Falls Church, and around the world.

Housing Forward VA has released its 2025 Housing Forward VA ADU Playbook. This issue focuses exclusively on Accessory Dwelling Units. Future issues will cover Short-term Rentals (STR’s) as well as Inclusionary Zoning (IZ).

Virginia Housing’s Innovation Program Grant application, which supports breakthroughs in housing affordability and services for low- and moderate-income families, is open until February 19th. Local governments, non-profits, and quasi-governmental entities are encouraged to apply for grants focused on Planning, Programs, or Construction. For questions, email [email protected]

The National Low Income Housing Coalition will host its 2025 NLIHC Housing Policy Forum  in Washington, DC, this year, on March 23-27, 2025.

• Confronting Misinformation: Opportunities for law & policy innovation Changelab Solutions

• Can Factory-Built Housing Contribute to Greater Affordability and Climate Resiliency? Urban Institute

• How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County, LA Times

•  Trump nominee to lead HUD says the agency is failing in its mission, NPR