In August, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a Request for Proposals to acquire, develop and rehabilitate affordable rental housing throughout Fairfax County. In the request, HCD cited the availability of nearly $2.9 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. At the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (FCRHA’s) December 17 meeting, the Commissioners approved the award of available funds as follows:

• $445,485 to Sunrise Community of Virginia, Inc.
  Funds will be utilized to acquire and renovate a single-family home to provide community living for five individuals with incomes at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) – roughly $37,800 – and with medically complex intellectual and physical development disabilities.
   
• $457,000 to Marian Homes, Inc.
  Funds will be used to acquire and renovate a single-family home to provide community living for five individuals with intellectual disabilities and with incomes at or below 30 percent of AMI.
   
• $468,000 to Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services
  Funds will be used to acquire and renovate two condo units for families who have experienced homelessness or at high risk of homelessness with incomes at or below 60 percent of AMI – roughly $75,000.
   
• Up to $1,528,712 to Pathway Homes, Inc.
  Funds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate units of affordable rental housing to provide affordable housing and supportive services to 9 or 10 individuals who have experienced homelessness or are precariously housed and have special needs related to mental illness, co-occurring substance abuse disorders and intellectual disabilities with incomes at or below 30 percent of AMI.
   

More About Federal Funding Programs

Community Development Block Grant Program

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides grants to over 1,200 local governments to create neighborhood approaches that improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. Every $1.00 of CDBG leverages more than $4.00 in other funding; bringing additional vital resources to communities.

Fairfax County has been successful in utilizing CDBG funds to address affordable housing and public services over the last five years, including:

• 1,055 low-income renter households that were assisted through acquisition and/or rehabilitation projects of single or multi-unit properties for affordable housing
• 530 low-income households served by homeownership assistance programs
• 4,979 low-income households served by targeted public services programs – including such services as housing opportunities for the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless; supportive services for older adults and individuals with disabilities; literacy, academic development, training and financial stability programs for those in need; and more.
   

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

The HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) provides grants to over 600 local participating jurisdictions to use – often in partnership with local nonprofit groups – to create safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in communities nationwide or providing direct rental assistance to low-income households. Every $1.00 of HOME leverages more than $4.00 in other funding. 

Since 1992, all of the HOME funds received by Fairfax County have been leveraged to support numerous affordable housing projects ultimately creating or preserving units of affordable housing and providing rental assistance, including:

• 1,307 affordable rental units
• 102 affordable homeowner units
• 964 units provided with tenant-based rental assistance