Hundreds of families and individuals will soon live at the seat of county government now that the Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to convert an underused parking area into affordable homes.
The centrally located, vibrant and walkable community will be built on the 340-space surface parking lot at the Government Center between Post Forest Drive and the north entrance to the main campus.
The development, named The Residences at Government Center II, will include two mid-rise multifamily buildings with a total of 279 units for families and individuals earning from 30 percent to 70 percent of area median income, with an average income of up to 60 percent of the area median income. The development will also provide:
- 15,500 square feet of community-serving facilities including a childcare center and a resident/community-serving space.
- A publicly accessible urban park with a pedestrian promenade.
- Environmental features including EarthCraft Gold Green Building Certification, solar panels and electric vehicle charging.
- Approximately 65 percent of the units will be two- and three-bedroom units.
Background
The Board of Supervisors also approved $14 million in funding for the project, which will be used in connection with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The project will be developed by Lincoln Avenue Capital in a public-private partnership with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
This project will help the county in its commitment to producing and preserving affordable homes with a goal of producing a minimum of 10,000 new homes by the year 2034.
“This is us leading by example on a piece of property that is at the heart of civic engagement in Fairfax County. We don’t just talk about affordable housing – we’re willing to put it on the grounds of the Government Center in this particular high profile location. I think this speaks volumes to how this community feels about affordable housing,” said, Fairfax County Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay.
"This project is a win-win-win. It's a win for 279 individuals and families who will have affordable homes. It's a win for the low and moderate-income families who will be served by the new childcare facility. And it's a win for the environment because we are replacing a parking lot with a modern green building, pedestrian promenade and urban park space,” said, Braddock District Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw.
Next Steps
Lincoln Avenue Capital will be submitting its tax credit application in March and, if awarded, will pursue building permits. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring of 2024.
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