The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a little more than $33 million in financing support for the development of 175 affordable homes – to be known as Dominion Square West. The development is the first step of a two-phase plan to bring affordable housing and needed community amenities to the Tysons area. Coupled with an additional $10 million from the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), this funding sets the stage for a unique public-private partnership that will offer an extraordinary opportunity for housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households in one of the county’s largest activity centers. The project also marks the first development to utilize affordable housing proffer contributions from commercial developers in Tysons.
“The 175-Unit Dominion Square West building will be a significant and positive step forward in providing affordable housing for working families close to Metrorail. This important project will provide much needed housing for families and individuals working in Tysons and at locations all along the Silver Line, and beyond. When the Board of Supervisors adopted the updated Comprehensive Plan for Tysons in 2010 it included a call for developers of commercial properties to make a contribution to affordable housing in Tysons at $3 per square foot. This is the first such affordable housing proposal to use these proffered funds and I look forward to the life-changing impact these new homes will have on working families succeeding and thriving.”
- Walter Alcorn, Hunter Mill District Supervisor
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
With the Board’s approval the FCRHA will provide nearly $22.1 million in local housing funds as a loan to the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) to develop the property. The additional $10.9 million from the American Recue Plan Act approved by the Board will be added to $10 million committed by the FCRHA to facilitate a purchase of the two-acre parcel along Spring Hill Road where the project will be built. Upon closing, the FCRHA will hold title to the land which will be leased to APAH for the development of Dominion Square West.
This financing of Dominion Square is an excellent example of the county’s ability to leverage a multitude of resources to contribute to the development of affordable housing. Of the entire $43 million to be allocated to this project, only $13.3 million will come from local taxpayer dollars through the Housing Blueprint Fund. The remaining funding will come from Tysons housing proffer contributions ($8.7 million provided by commercial developers), the American Rescue Plan Act, and the FCRHA.
“Public-private partnerships have fueled the production of more than 1,000 units of affordable housing in the last few years alone – from the award-winning Residences at Government Center to our homes under construction at North Hill, Oakwood, and One University, and now to Dominion Square. We are proving time and time again the value of these partnerships in providing well-connected, long-term affordable housing that open the doors of opportunity for individuals and families across the county.”
- C. Melissa McKenna, Chairman
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Phase I of the Dominion Square development will include a nine-story high-rise with 35 one-bedroom apartments, 105 two-bedroom apartments, and 35 three-bedroom apartments. Units will be affordable to households at or below 30, 50, and 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). The project is also anticipated to include the award of 40 project-based vouchers to further support residents at or below 50 percent of AMI. The building’s location will provide tenants with convenient access to job opportunities across the region via numerous commuter bus and rail options.
“Dominion Square is the kind of community we need more of – one that is completely integrated into the community in terms of design, function, and opportunity. I strongly believe quality affordable housing must be available throughout Fairfax County and this action helps move us closer to that reality. I am so happy we are moving forward with this important proposal. If we learned anything during this pandemic, it is that quality, accessible housing is critical to our personal health and our economy and this is an investment in both.”
- Jeff McKay, Chairman
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors