Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

DHCD deputy director receives award for contributions to building safety
Virginia’s Deputy Director of the Division of Building and Fire Regulation, Emory Rodgers of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), has received the Bobby J. Fowler Award from the International Code Council (ICC) at the 2009 ICC Conference, held this year in Baltimore, MD.  The award represents the most prestigious of the ICC recognitions and is presented to an individual whose contributions to the building safety industry advance ICC’s goals in achieving a safer built environment.

Press release >> PDF

Virginia Community Development Block Grant public hearing announced
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m.
11th Floor Conference Room (Room 11-133)
DHCD, 600 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219


The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a public hearing on the 2010 Virginia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Design policy statement.  The public hearing will allow for public examination, comments, testimony, and observations on the commonwealth’s proposed CDBG Program Design policy statement, and on DHCD’s overall community development performance.  The proposed program design contains a final statement of community development objectives, projected use of funds, and the method by which the state will distribute funds to local governments, as required by section 104 (a) (2) Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.  For questions about the public hearing, call: (804) 371-7061.


Draft 2010 CDBG Program Design >> PDF

Child Services Coordinator Grant survey announced
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is charged with administering funds for a child service coordinator referral system under the Child Services Coordinator Grant (CSCG).  In an effort to maximize the effectiveness of this limited resource (approximately $1,000,000), DHCD will revamp the CSCG program in fiscal year 2010-2011.  To that end, DHCD is requesting input related to the CSCG program and DHCD's process in funding it.  Please take a few minutes to complete the attached survey.  We value your input and appreciate your continued efforts to serve homeless persons in need in the Commonwealth.

Survey >> URL

Virginia Enterprise Zone How-to-Qualify Workshops announced
The Virginia Enterprise Zone (VEZ) program will be hosting How-to-Qualify Workshops throughout December. These workshops provide step-by-step instruction on the application process for 2009 VEZ grant funds. The free informational sessions are open to the public. This year’s legislative changes will be discussed during the workshops. All Real Property Investment Grant requests will be affected by these changes.

Register for one of the workshop dates and times below by clicking on the URL and then choosing the date and location of choice. For questions about the workshops, call: (804) 371-7030.

Register for workshop >> URL

Thursday, Dec. 3: 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Wytheville Meeting Center
333 Community Boulevard, Wytheville, VA 24382

Friday, Dec. 4: 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Lynchburg IT Center
3550 Young Place, Lynchburg, VA 24501

Wednesday, Dec. 9: 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Hampton Veteran's Conference Room
1 Franklin Street, Hampton, VA 23669

Friday, Dec. 11: 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Virginia DEQ Building
629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission announces appointment of executive director

The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission has announced the appointment of its first executive director. Todd Christensen, who currently serves as the deputy director of community development for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has been chosen to serve as the commission's first executive director.

Press release >> PDF

Governor's Housing Conference announces 2009 keynote –
David Erickson, director of the Center for Community Development Investments at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco will serve as keynote speaker at the 2009 Governor's Housing Conference. Erickson is also editor of the journal Community Development Investment Review and has authored a new book on the history of community development, The Housing Policy Revolution: Networks and Neighborhoods.

Special remarks from Secretary Shaun Donovan -
Shaun Donovan, the 15th United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development will provide special remarks by video to attendees at the 2009 Governor's Housing Conference. Donovan has previously served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, with affordable housing in the private sector, and as a visiting scholar at New York University where he researched and wrote about the preservation of federally-assisted housing.

The 2009 Governor’s Housing Conference will be held Nov. 18 – 20 at the Norfolk Marriott in downtown Norfolk, Virginia.  Visit www.vagovernorshousingconference.com for more information!

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

Virginia Main Street Blog: A new online resource
Virginia Main Street now offers a central online location where you can keep up with Main Street happenings, downtown revitalization tips, and links to all of the Virginia Main Street designated communities. The Virginia Main Street Blog covers design and promotions strategies for traditional commercial districts, economic and entrepreneurial development tools, and best practices to explore in your community—all in quick, summary format. Visit often, or sign up for an RSS feed today.

Virginia Main Street Blog >> URL

Virginia Floodplain Management Program announced
Dec. 7 – 11, 2009
755 Roanoke Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073-3172

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be coordinating a Managing Floodplain Development through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) workshop Dec. 7 – 11 in Christiansburg, Virginia.  The course will focus on the NFIP and concepts of floodplain management, maps and studies, ordinance administration, and the relationship between floodplain management and flood insurance.  The course is recommended for local officials responsible for administering their local floodplain management ordinance.  
 
For more information, contact Alison Meehan at (804) 371-6137 or alison.meehan@dcr.virginia.gov.
 
Additional information/registration >> DOC
DCR Web site >> URL

Statewide Point-In-Time Homelessness Count Released
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has released the results for the Statewide Point-In-Time Count of Homeless Persons.  The count was held on and around Jan. 29, 2009.  This year’s count identified 8,913 homeless individuals either sheltered or unsheltered, up from 8,610 in 2008. The Point-In-Time Count is a census of unduplicated homeless persons in sheltered and unsheltered locations throughout the state.  It is conducted each year by service providers and volunteers, and is coordinated through Virginia’s 30 Continua of Care (COC).  The count is conducted each year during the last seven days of January as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

2009 Report >> PDF

Register now for the 2009 Governor’s Housing Conference
Register today for the 2009 for the Governor’s Housing Conference, which will be held this year at the Norfolk Marriott Hotel and Conference Center Nov. 18 – 20 in Norfolk, Virginia.  The Governor’s Housing Conference is the largest and most comprehensive housing-related conference of the year in Virginia, featuring workshops designed to provide participants with practical knowledge and skills. In addition to a broad range of housing related topics, this year’s event will provide strategies to address the challenges presented by the current economic environment and housing market.  
 
Register >> URL

DHCD has moved
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has moved. The agency’s new address is:  
         
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
           Main Street Centre
           600 East Main Street, Suite 300
           Richmond, VA 23219
 
All phone and fax numbers will remain the same.  Please keep this for your records.

Manufactured housing installation program
This summer and fall, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development will be hosting a Manufactured Installation Program training program in several locations throughout Virginia.  Registration for this program is $100, which is refundable two weeks prior to the start date. For additional information, contact Debra Winston-Bowles at (804) 371-7160 e-mail: debra.winston-bowles@dhcd.virginia.gov.


More information and registration >> URL

Private Activity Bonds
As of July 1, 2008 the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is responsible for that portion of Virginia's private activity bonds set aside for local housing authorities and for that portion set aside for the state allocation. Please review the Private Activity Bond Allocation Guidelines for information on submitting an allocation application. Housing authorities should use form HB. All others should use form IDB.

For information, please contact Shea Hollifield at: (804) 371-7031 or shea.hollifield@dhcd.virginia.gov.
 
Private Activity Bond Allocation Guidelines – Local Housing Authorities and State Allocation >> Word
State Allocation >> Excel
Local Housing Authority Allocation >> Excel
Housing and Economic Recovery Allocation >> Excel
Allocation of 2008 Ceiling for Private Activity Bonds >> Word
House Bill 1073 (made changes to the administration of the PAB allocation) >> PDF
Governor’s Executive Order 78 >> PDF

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