Fairfax County-based Good Shepherd Housing, which has been a recipient of federal Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds from the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development, recently celebrated the ribbon cutting of their 100th affordable home. The acquisition was made possible in part by federal funds, and provided a family of five at-risk for homelessness with a place to call home. CDBG and HOME are programs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that support affordable housing, community development projects, public facilities rehabilitation, public services, and more. 

“Affordable housing provides the stability where people do not have to worry about home. They can worry about the obstacles they are encountering. They can worry about how they can solve the next issue, and how they are going to grow the resilience of themselves and their families,” said Genee Hayes, executive director, Good Shepherd Housing, Inc. In addition to affordable housing, Good Shepherd Housing provides services that support unhoused individuals and promote self-sufficiency.

Community Development Week is April 21-25

During its March meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 21-25 Community Development Week. Each year, Fairfax County receives an average of $7 to $9 million in combined federal CDBG and HOME grant funding, which allows strategic and innovative partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and other private entities, and leveraging additional resources. 

CDBG/HOME Funds at Work in Fairfax County

In fiscal year 2024, Fairfax County leveraged $10.51 of outside funds for every $1 of CDBG expenditures in affordable housing activities. CDBG and HOME funds benefit Fairfax County in a myriad of ways:

• During the past five years, about 1,100 households representing 46,000 individuals were assisted by CDBG- and HOME-funded programs.  
• CDBG was integral to funding the public-private partnership to develop the Residences at North Hill, 279 affordable homes including 63 for older adults and 10 for adults living with disabilities.
• Senior residents can continue living independently and age in place through CDBG’s Home Repair for the Elderly Program.
• Crucial Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) funded through the HOME program and downpayment assistance through CDBG for first-time homebuyers allow low-income households to afford to work and live in our communities and have the same opportunities to succeed as others.
• CDBG-funded Consolidated Community Funding Pool (CCFP) targeted public services projects also provide wrap around services allowing families to gain skills and become more self-sufficient and resilient.