March 2025 Edition |
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NVAHA held its February 2025 Lunch & Learn, Ways to Support and Uplift Our Immigrant Neighbors. Tenant advocacy partners shared insights and best practices for supporting immigrant communities, protecting vulnerable neighbors, responding to enforcement situations, and ensuring communities remain informed and prepared. NVAHA staff provided housing providers, advocates, and community members with practical tools and resources to promote accurate information, safety, dignity, and stability for all. |
Alexandria City
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FY 2026 Proposed Budget includes $16.27M for the Office of Housing, a 2.7% decrease from FY25, primarily due to expected reductions in meals tax revenue and conclusion of one-time funding for the Housing Master Plan update. Affordable housing development and preservation remains a focus, with $81.97M planned over the next 10 years, including $7.57M in FY26. This funding comes from a dedicated 1% meals tax ($6.57M) and $1M annual cash capital commitment tied to an Amazon H2Q agreement. A Budget Public Hearing will take place on March 10 from 5:30pm - 8pm. The City of Alexandria has released its application for a $5.57M CDBG Section 108 Guaranteed Loan. The funds will support Housing Alexandria’s Sansé project. A public hearing will be held on March 6 at 7pm before the AHAAC at City Hall. The draft is available online and may be reviewed at four local libraries (Beatley Central, Barrett Branch, Burke Branch, and Duncan Branch). Join the Housing 2040 Community Meeting on March 18 at 7pm at Patrick Henry K-8 School to provide feedback on draft principles and goals for the Housing 2040 Master Plan. Registration is encouraged but not required. Contact [email protected] for more details The City of Alexandria is offering a free Condominium and Community Association Training series, also open to Arlington residents. Workshops cover governance, insurance, budgeting, and resale disclosures. The upcoming session covers “Building a Budget” on March 22 from 9:30 - 11:30am. Registration is required. For more information, email [email protected]. or 703.746.3104. |
Arlington County
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Arlington’s Proposed FY26 Budget includes over $100M dedicated to housing programs: Increased funding includes $17.6M for the County’s Housing Grant Program and a new position for caseloads, $7M for Permanent Supportive Housing, and $6.8M to address Homelessness. In the face of a $25M deficit, two programs could be decreased to $2.1M for Eviction Prevention and $12.3M for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF). See this infographic. Important Budget Dates include: March 5: DHS, Housing/Safety Net, and CPHD budget work session; Testimony can be given at the March 25: Budget Public Hearing; March 27: Tax Rate Public Hearing; April 9: County Board final budget vote. ** To discuss budget strategies, email [email protected] to join our next HAA meeting on March 12.
The County Board approved the Melwood redevelopment, where Wesley Housing will build 105 new committed affordable “CAF” units, of which 30% will be for adults with disabilities. Melwood and Our Stomping Ground will provide on-site employment and living supports. The project includes 22 3-bedroom and 62 2-bedroom units to welcome many families to the building. Arlington is seeking applicants for its Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP), which provides a deferred-payment, interest-free loan to qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing in Arlington. Eligible buyers can use the funds for down payment and closing costs. Arlington County released its Community Vulnerability Index Map (CVIM), a new tool to help identify concentrations of vulnerable populations in Arlington. The CVIM examines demographic, socio-economic, and geographic factors that may increase an individual’s susceptibility to various disadvantages. The CVIM is one of several demographic dashboards the County has created to understand and report on population characteristics and trends.
Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual Fair Housing Conference will be held on Sat., April 5th, hosted by the NAACP - Arlington Branch. Location TBD. |
Fairfax County
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The County Executive released the Fairfax County FY2026 Advertised Budget Plan, which includes an additional support for affordable housing, bringing the contribution commensurate with the total value of $0.0125 on the Real Estate tax, representing $8.5M in new investment. In addition, there is an increase of $3.38M to support operations at the Fair Ridge Family Shelter, scheduled to open in April 2025. While housing sees gains, human services and other programs face challenges. The BOS will consider a meals tax to diversify revenue sources and address the nearly $300M budget shortfall for FY2026. Advocates are encouraged to watch the March 18 BOS meeting to learn the advertised FY2026 tax rate and the advertised FY2025 Third Quarter Review and to prepare for Budget Public Hearings to be held April 22-24, 2025.
Fairfax County received about 50 nominations during its Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process, which lets members of the public propose changes to the Comprehensive Plan that guides future land use and development. The 2025 submissions, broken down by magisterial district, were presented to the Board of Supervisors.
Residents of affordable housing supported by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will have the opportunity to apply for academic and vocational scholarships. Up to ten applicants will receive a $5,000 scholarship for post-secondary education including technical training. Applications close March 31, 2025.
Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Planning and Development released the staff report for the revisions to the Board of Supervisors’ Countywide and Tysons Urban Center Workforce Dwelling Unit Administrative Policy Guidelines for public review and comment. The revisions will be presented at a Board of Supervisors public hearing on March 18 at 4:30pm.
NVAHA and our advocacy partners provided testimony at last week’s Planning Commission hearing in support of the AT&T Oakton plan amendment for a proposal to redevelop the former AT&T Oakton campus into a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood with 850 new homes. The Planning Commission delayed a decision for two weeks but is still taking feedback via email to [email protected]. The Board of Supervisors will hear this item on March 18 at 4pm. We’ll need as many local voices as possible to speak up for housing and walkability.
Watch the Tysons Community Alliance’s Q4 Market Report Webinar from February 25, which included an expert panel discussing affordable housing development and corporate investment with Amazon Housing Equity Fund, Fairfax County RHA, True Ground Housing Partners and SCG Development.
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City of Falls Church
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The City of Falls Church is considering amendments to its Accessory Dwelling regulations as part of its 2024-2025 Priorities Work Plan to increase housing diversity. The proposed zoning changes aim to expand options for first-time homebuyers, downsizers, and multi-generational households. A Planning Commision public hearing will be held on March 5 at 7:30pm in City Hall, where commissioners will recommend City Council adoption of the Ordinance. The final decision will be made by the City Council following public input.
Falls Church is positioned to lower its tax rate by 2.5 cents, thanks to strong commercial development. Mayor Hardi emphasized that real estate growth is driving a 5.9% increase for both City and School budgets. However, other officials warned of future uncertainties, including federal layoffs, slowing meals tax growth, and a potential return to more moderate economic growth. |
Loudoun County
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On February 12, the County Administrator presented the proposed FY2026 Budget to the Board of Supervisors. The proposed budget includes $17.3M, or the equivalent of a full penny of the real property tax rate, to address affordable housing needs. Public hearings on the proposed budget were held on February 22 and 27. Video recordings of the hearings are available online. The Board of Supervisors will hold budget work sessions in March and is expected to adopt the FY26 budget at its April 1 business meeting. More information here on Loudoun’s budget process.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved loans of $20M total from the Housing Fund and Housing Trust Fund for Avonlea Apartments (Phase 2) and Dogwood Farm Station Apartments. Both will serve households earning up to 60% AMI and will remain affordable for at least 75 years. $5M was approved for Wellington Development Partners and Fellowship Square Foundation for Dogwood Farm Station at the former Blue Mount Nursery Site. This project includes 72 units serving residents ages 55+. $15M was approved for True Ground Housing Partners to develop the second phase of Avonlea Apartments, where they will break ground on March 13.
The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development is inviting residents to provide comments on a Substantial Amendment to the FY24-25 Annual Action Plan for the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The Annual Action Plan outlines the county’s housing and community development needs, priorities, objectives, and proposed uses of federal funding for the upcoming year. The public comment period is open through March 12.
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 12 at 6pm at the Loudoun County Government Center (1 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg) to consider adoption of the revised Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, Streamlined Annual Public Housing Agency and Five Year Plan.
Loudoun’s Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC) is considering stakeholder input regarding local zoning ordinances and tenant housing/farm-related lodging. Stakeholders have shared that high housing costs in Loudoun have created challenges for recruiting and retaining farm workers and that adding flexibility in local zoning would allow for creative solutions for housing for farm workers. |
Prince William County
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The Prince William County Executive has released the proposed FY2026 Budget. Budget investments in affordable housing continue with an additional $5.5M in FY26, working toward a total of $31M by FY29. The budget public hearing is scheduled for March 18 at 7pm.
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Northern Virginia
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The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) has released a fact sheet on federal jobs in NoVA. More than 81K federal jobs are located in the region, while 175K residents hold federal jobs. The report explains key differences between data from OPM, BLS, and the Census Bureau, which vary based on methodology and agency coverage. This analysis is crucial for understanding the impact of federal jobs cuts on NOVA households and the regional economy.
For those affected by job cuts, the Work in Northern Virginia website offers over 80K job listings, job fairs, and training opportunities.
According to Bright MLS, concerns over federal job cuts may be driving an increase in home listings, with new listings in the DC area rising 20% in the week ending February 22. Outer suburbs saw the largest increase, while listings remained consistent in Arlington and Alexandria. Although too early to confirm a trend, price drops on 7.5% of active listings suggest some sellers may be acting cautiously. Nonetheless, demand remains strong, with home showings up 21% and 1,400 homes going under contract in the same period, including a notable 8.5% rise in Fairfax County. |
DMV
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Enterprise Community Partners is launching their Mid-Atlantic Preservation Academy on Wednesday, March 19 at 10 am at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health, 700 Second Street, NE, Washington, DC. They will discuss the critical role of small and medium rental buildings in serving residents throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, showcase existing projects, policies, and resources for preservation, and introduce the Mid-Atlantic Preservation Academy training and grant opportunity. Applications to the first cohort will be released in March. To register and to receive the Preservation Academy cohort application when it is available, complete this registration form. |
Virginia |
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HousingForward Virginia recently explored What HUD Does for Virginia. The report explores the agency’s significant role in affordable housing, rental assistance, homelessness programs, and community development projects across the state.
Virginia General Assembly Housing Legislation Overview: This is a list of housing legislation in Virginia that has successfully passed through both the House and Senate and is now pending the Governor's approval by March 24. Please note that the list of bills provided does not reflect NVAHA's direct support for the bills but aims to inform you. A complete list of all housing-related bills can be found at Virginia Housing Alliance’s Legislative Tracker. Thanks to VHA’s advocacy, the conference report budget from the GA includes $20M to start the “5,000 Families” rental assistance pilot program. The budget also currently includes $675,000 dedicated to the capacity-building and administrative needs of our Continuum of Care agencies.
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Federal |
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Novogradac’s Tax Credit Tuesday Podcast explored potential HUD budget cuts under the Trump administration, with risks to HOME, CDBG, and public housing capital funds, while rental assistance programs may see smaller reductions. Experts emphasize diversifying funding sources and leveraging Opportunity Zones to prepare for potential shortfalls.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) urges Congress to protect HUD programs and staff as the Trump administration plans to cut half of HUD’s workforce. These cuts would severely impact homeless shelters, affordable housing projects, rental assistance, and disaster recovery efforts. Contact your representatives and add your organization to NLIHC’s national letter to Congress.
NLIHC invites advocates to register for the Hill Day Prep webinar on March 5 at 4pm to prepare for Capitol Hill Day on March 27. The webinar will cover policy priorities and meeting expectations. Register here. |
Articles of Interest
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