Governor Northam Announces Over $11 Million for Affordable and Special Needs Housing Loans

Additional funding for projects provided through doubling of Virginia Housing Trust Fund

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced more than $11 million in Affordable and Special Needs Housing loans for 17 projects throughout the Commonwealth, creating or preserving 1,283 affordable housing units that will target low-income and very low-income Virginians. The Governor made this announcement during an event at American Legion Post 139 in Arlington, the future site of the American Legion Uniting to Serve affordable housing project. These projects are focused on affordable new construction and rehabilitation housing projects as well as permanent supportive housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“My administration is working hard to find innovative ways to reduce homelessness, expand access to quality affordable housing, and address evictions in Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “The Affordable Special Needs Housing program provides Virginia the necessary resources to transform our housing stock and help create vibrant, thriving communities for all Virginians, in every part of the Commonwealth.”

Affordable and Special Needs Housing (ASNH) loans are awarded through a competitive process. The Virginia Housing Trust Fund is a key source of financing for these affordable housing initiatives to support moderate- and low-income families. The Governor and the General Assembly doubled the Virginia Housing Trust Fund in this recently completed budget cycle, providing an additional $5.5 million and bolstering the state’s commitment to increase affordable housing for low- and very-low-income persons.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the Affordable and Special Needs Housing program and combines state and federal resources to ensure a simplified application process. Funding comes from three main sources: the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the federal National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), and the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. Through the ASNH program, DHCD also supports the creation of Permanent Supportive Housing units to serve Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. 

“We must continue to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Through this program, we are providing the necessary financing to preserve and create safe and sustainable housing for many low- to moderate-income Virginians.”

Twenty-nine applications were received requesting more than $21 million. These proposals were reviewed, evaluated and scored, with award offers recommended to the highest-ranking proposals based on funding availability. The funded projects will leverage over $250 million in additional federal, state, local, and private lending resources. Six additional projects were able to receive funding with the increase in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.

2019 Spring Affordable and Special Needs Housing Awardees:

Organization

Project Name

Amount

Source

Project Location

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

American Legion Uniting to Serve

$700,000

VHTF

Arlington County

Better Housing Coalition Sponsored

Market Square IV

$550,000

HOME

Chesterfield County

Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Crescent Halls

$800,000

VHTF

City of Charlottesville

Community Housing Partners

The Residences at North Hill Bond 94

$1,300,000

VHTF

HOME

Fairfax County

Community Housing Partners

The Residences at North Hill Bond 47

$1,000,000

VHTF

HOME

Fairfax County

Community Housing Inc.

Brookland Park Apartments

$700,000

VHTF

City of Richmond

Community Housing Inc.

New Lake Anne House

$700,000

VHTF

Fairfax County

Dakota Partners Inc.

Huntington Village

$500,000

VHTF

City of Newport News

Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity

Charlottesville Habitat-Lochlyn Hill Phase III

$336,020

HOME

 City of Charlottesville

Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley

Homes on Newtown Road

$636,341

HOME

Floyd County

Hope Community Builders

Covenant Heights-Phase VI

$500,000

HOME

City of Harrisonburg

Humanities Foundation

Keswick Apartments II

$700,000

VHTF

Spotsylvania County

People Incorporated Housing Group

Luray Meadows Apartments

$700,000

HOME

Page County

Restoration Housing

Dale Avenue Permanent Supportive Housing

$300,000

PSH

City of Roanoke

Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity

Booker T. Washington Neighborhood

$325,536

HOME

City of Staunton

The Community Builders

Church Hill North Phase 2A

$700,000

VHTF

City of Richmond

Wesley Housing Development Corporation

The Arden-Building A

$700,000

VHTF

Fairfax County

TOTAL

$11,147,897


**HOME = Federal Funding

    VHTF = Virginia Housing Trust Fund

    PSH = Permanent Supportive Housing