Housing and Community Development - Public Affairs

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Allyson Pearce
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National Community Development Week and Month Spotlights Impact of Federal Housing Funds in Fairfax County

photo National Community Development Week 2024 (April 1- 5) and April being declared by the Board as Community Development Month, provides an opportunity to reflect on the value federal community development funds bring to communities throughout Fairfax County. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) – funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – provide essential funding utilized to support neighborhood improvements, economic revitalization, affordable housing, community facilities and services to assist our most vulnerable neighbors.

Fairfax County has received $298 million from the CDBG program and $78 million from the HOME program to support a variety of community initiatives. 

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides grants to over 1,200 local governments for the development of neighborhood approaches to improving the physical, economic, and social conditions in communities. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously running HUD programs. Every $1.00 of CDBG leverages more than $5.02 in other funding, bringing additional vital resources to Fairfax County communities.

Learn More about CDBG on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) has been providing grants to over 600 local participating jurisdictions since 1992, to be used to create safe, sanitary, and affordable housing and to provide direct rental assistance to low-income households. Every $1.00 of HOME funds received is typically leveraged with almost $5.00 in other funding to support the creation or preservation of units of affordable housing and to provide rental assistance for the benefit of low-income residents. 

Learn More about HOME on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

Housing stability is a critical variable to ensuring positive outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Being “home stable” leads to a stronger opportunity for positive outcomes in employment, education, financial growth, and connectivity to the wealth of experiences and advantages available to residents in Fairfax County. CDBG and HOME funds help to leverage the investment of millions of dollars in local and state funding, as well as private developer capital, to create housing opportunities and developmental/supportive programs for our most vulnerable neighbors – including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and extremely low-income households.

 

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County Supervisors Proclaim April Community Development Month in Fairfax County

PROCLAMATION
 

WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program was established in 1974 as part of the Housing and Community Development Act to provide state and local governments with resources to develop viable urban communities by providing decent affordable housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income; and

WHEREAS, 2024 has been designated for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the CDBG Program; and

WHEREAS, since the programs’ inception, Fairfax County has received over $298 million from CDBG and $78 million from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, supporting the development of affordable housing benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals and households, including older adults, people with disabilities, those experiencing chronic or frequent homelessness, and children; and

WHEREAS, people of color are disproportionately negatively impacted by the lack of available affordable housing within Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, the CDBG Program is critical to advance equitable neighborhood approaches that improve the physical, economic, and social conditions for all Fairfax County communities; and

WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program foster a strong network among local government, residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations working to meet the needs of Fairfax County residents; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby designate April 2024, as

“Community Development Month”

in Fairfax County and urges all residents to recognize the importance and achievements of the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program in improving the quality of life in Fairfax County and throughout the United States.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant