Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Focus Group
On Thursday, June 7, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development will hold its annual Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Focus Group to obtain input on the Virginia ARC program’s strategic directions and priorities. This input is a key element in the development of the 2013 Virginia ARC State Strategy.

Thursday, June 7, 2012
10 a.m.-noon
Wytheville Meeting Center
333 Community Boulevard
Wytheville, Virginia

While there is no fee to attend, please be sure to register by Monday, June 4 so we may provide adequate meeting space. Light refreshments will be provided.

REGISTER

Homeless Solutions Grant (HSG)
We are pleased to announce the release of the Homeless Solutions Grant (HSG) application in DHCD's new online Centralized Application and Management System (CAMS).

To access CAMS, click here

For more information on how to apply for HSG, click here.

For the Homeless Solutions Grant (HSG) guidelines, click here.

Manufactured Housing Installation program training announced
May 24, 2012
Greenville Government Center
1781 Greenville County Circle
Emporia, Virginia

The Manufactured Housing Installation Program has announced an additional training
day on May 24. The cost to attend is $150, refundable two weeks prior
to the start date. Please make checks payable to the Treasurer of Virginia, and mail it
along with your registration to the attention of:
Debra Winston-Bowles
Department of Housing and Community Development
Main Street Centre
600 East Main Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219

You can also pay by credit card at the registration site. For more information, contact Debra Winston-Bowles at (804) 371-7160 or email debra.winston-bowles@dhcd.virginia.gov.

For more information and registration, click here.

Virginia Enterprise Initiative 2012 Innovation Grants
Applications are now being accepted for Virginia Enterprise Initiative (VEI) 2012 Innovation Grants of up to $20,000. Innovation Grants provide resources to micro-enterprise development organizations, local governments, planning district commissions and other non-profit organizations that deliver services to entrepreneurs in new and original ways. VEI is looking for Innovation Grant applications that:

• Result in quantifiable community development outcomes;
• Strengthen Virginia's micro-enterprise community through the creation and development of effective networks and partnerships;
• Broaden and deepen the dialogue about micro-enterprise in Virginia; and,
• Result in additional micro-financing activity in Virginia.

To apply: Submit a cover letter describing how your organization's innovative micro-enterprise strategies will address the above goals and a completed Innovation Grant Application to brad.belo@dhcd.virginia.gov.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on May 10, 2012.

If you have any questions, contact Brad Belo at brad.belo@dhcd.virginia.gov or 804-371-7078.

VEI Announcement >> PDF
VEI Innovation Grant >> DOC

An Introduction to Energy, Energy Conservation, and Energy Codes.
A one-day training for design professionals, builders, building owners, and code enforcement personnel.
April 19, 2012
9 a.m.–5 p.m.

This one-day program provides design professionals, builders, building owners and code enforcement personnel with an overview of energy concepts, energy conservation and an introduction to the 2009 Virginia Energy Conservation Code, as well as the relative residential and commercial building codes. Participants will gain knowledge of the concepts of energy and the 2009 Virginia Energy Conservation Code, as well as an understanding of Virginia’s role in the energy code enforcement process. In addition, the Virginia Weatherization Training Center will provide demonstrations and answer questions regarding energy concepts and conservation. Participants will receive a number of reference materials useful in understanding and applying the energy codes in the design and building process.

To register, visit Online Registration. For more information, contact the Virginia Building Code Academy at tcu@dhcd.virginia.gov or (804) 371-7180.

This is a free program and lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 100 participants per session.

The Virginia Enterprise Zone application site for grant year 2011 is now open The Enterprise Zone program is now accepting applications. To access instruction manuals, required forms, and to submit your application please visit the EZ Application Submission System.

*All application materials must be submitted to DHCD by April 2, 2012.* Electronic submission will close at 11:59 PM on April 2, 2012 and all hard copies must be post-marked no later than April 2, 2012

For more information about the Enterprise Zone Program, the Real Property Investment Grant (RPIG) or the Job Creation Grant (JCG), visit the VEZ site, or contact Lauren Fink at lauren.fink@dhcd.virginia.gov.

An Introduction to Energy, Energy Conservation, and Energy Codes.
A one-day training for design professionals, builders, building owners, and code enforcement personnel.

November 14, 2011
December 13, 2011
January 27, 2012
February 28, 2012
April 19, 2012

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This one-day program provides design professionals, builders, building owners and code enforcement personnel with an overview of energy concepts, energy conservation and an introduction to the 2009 Virginia Energy Conservation Code, as well as the relative residential and commercial building codes. Participants will gain knowledge of the concepts of energy and the 2009 Virginia Energy Conservation Code, as well as an understanding of Virginia’s role in the energy code enforcement process. In addition, the Virginia Weatherization Training Center will provide demonstrations and answer questions regarding energy concepts and conservation. Participants will receive a number of reference materials useful in understanding and applying the energy codes in the design and building process.

To register, visit Online Registration. For more information, contact the Virginia Building Code Academy at tcu@dhcd.virginia.gov or (804) 371-7180.

This is a free program and lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 100 participants per session.  

Industrial Revitalization Fund: $3 million available to help rehabilitate derelict commercial and industrial structures
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will accept applications beginning September 9, 2011, for grants of up to $600,000 to local governments through the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF). For more information visit: www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf.

2009 Virginia Code Series Published
The 2009 Virginia Code series, published by the International Code Council (ICC), will be available for purchase through the ICC website store in March 2011. Pre-orders for the individual code books and/or the complete code sets are presently being accepted online; email notification may be requested when the various codes become available. As an introductory offer, a special discount of 10% will be applied to early purchases before March 31 with the promotional code 2009VA at the webpage http://media.iccsafe.org/store/2009VA/.

In addition, the electronic version of the Virginia Codes will be available for purchase and download at the ICC website store beginning this week; the electronic version will also be available for view at the ICC Free Resource webpage at no charge to the user; the e-Codes will be posted in the order in which they are finalized by ICC.

The 2009 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and the Related Regulations may also be accessed at State Building Codes and Regulations

Communities of Opportunity Tax Credit Applications are still being accepted
The Department of Housing and Community Development continues to accept applications for the Communities of Opportunity Tax Credit program for the 2011 tax year. The Communities of Opportunity Tax Credit provides Virginia income tax credits to landlords with qualified housing units located in census tracts with poverty rates of less than ten percent in the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program.

More information and registration>> URL

Virginia Housing Search online now!
VirginiaHousingSearch.com is a vibrant new tool to help locate housing that meets your specific needs.  This centralized database provides landlords and those looking for housing with a one-stop resource to list and locate a wide-range of housing across the Commonwealth.  Housing searches can be tailored for those seeking affordable housing, accessible housing, or other individualized needs.

VirginiaHousingSearch Web site >> URL

Agency strategic and service area plans
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed agency strategic and service area plans in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Virginia's Strategic Planning and Performance-Based Budgeting Process. Information on the plan is available below. 

DHCD Strategic Plan >> URL
Appendix A >> URL