ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria City Council will hold its FY27 Budget and Tax Rate Public Hearing on Saturday, April 18 from 9:30-11:30am at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. Participants may attend in-person or virtually through Zoom. The City is set to adopt the final budget on April 29, from 6 – 8pm.
Alexandria’s Draft Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Draft One-Year Action Plan for housing and community development is now available for public comment through April 22. Comments may be emailed to kimberly.cadena@alexandriava.gov by 5pm on April 22 or provide public testimony at the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee meeting on April 9 at 7pm.
Alexandria’s Office of Housing Director, Helen McIlvaine announced her retirement, after nearly 20 years of service to the City. Effective May 1st, Deputy Director Aspasia Xypolia will serve as acting Housing Director.
ARLINGTON
FY27 Budget season continues. Share your feedback: countyboard@arlingtonva.us asap:
- There will be no new one-time AHIF funding – the on-going $9-10M will fund ½ a project – we continue to need a permanent funding source, especially for very low income (30% AMI) rental units
- Housing Grant program – budget recommends a program cap and waiting list – it is anticipated that many more folks may need a grant this year
- Homeless Services and PSH programs – we may lose federal funding and are unsure of state support – we need to bolster these vital programs
- DHS now has only one Housing Locator – we need to re-fund a second Locator to handle the growing workload
- CPHD is losing a Planner position – we need this staff to address our substantial housing, infrastructure, and economic development needs in the County
- Arlington will have a $44M contingency fund (adding $11M to the $33M from FY26) – could it be utilized for housing supports this year if needed?
As mentioned above, the County is proposing to limit the number of Housing Grants (a vitally important locally-funded rental assistance program) issued each year. This comes with other housing-related budget cuts and much uncertainty about federal funding. Arlington’s Continuum of Care invites any person or organization to sign their letter of support for postponement of a cap to be placed on Arlington’s Housing Grant Program. Please sign by Monday, April 6th.
This year’s Arlington Housing Fair will be on April 25, 11am-4pm at the Walter Reed Community Center. This free, public information event provides practical guidance on finding and maintaining a home in Arlington and includes several free workshops.
The proposed Arlington Housing Choice Voucher Program (AHCVP) Administrative Plan is available for public comment. Share your feedback online or in person at the public hearing on May 1st from 6–7:30pm at Arlington DHS (2100 Washington Blvd.).
The Engagement Feedback Summary of the County’s Low-Density Residential Study is now available for review. Phase 2 of their public engagement will begin later this spring.
Our NVAHA~Arlington coalition, Housing Action Arlington (HAA), meets again on Wed., April 8 at 12 noon (virtually). We will review the County budget, GA bills, etc. Register to join us!
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Fairfax County’s proposed FY27 Advertised Budget Plan has been released. Last fiscal year, the County established a baseline of 1¼ cents of the real estate tax dedicated to affordable housing; however, additional increases are needed to reach the 2-cent target by FY27 and ensure sustained, dedicated funding. Board of Supervisors (BoS) budget hearings will take place on April 14, April 15, and April 16. The Fairfax NVAHA team encourages you to sign up to testify on April 15 so we can show up in strong numbers. Talking points are available for your use, please email Anika Rahman. If you have not yet registered, please consider signing up for the April 15th BoS budget hearing, or another date that works best for you. (Subject: FY27 Budget)
Recently, the Housing Needs Assessment: Highlights and Housing Initiatives Progress report was released, providing an overview of key findings and updates on ongoing housing efforts, including a summary of current and projected housing needs, progress toward the goal of 10,000 units by 2034, updates on inclusionary housing, results from the market affordable housing survey, and activities of the Housing Task Force.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) announced it has acquired a 1.73 acre property in Tysons and will partner with mission-driven affordable housing developer Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC) to develop housing, non-residential space, and above ground parking on the site.
At the March 2 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved $2M in local loan funding to support a planned renovation of the Coralain Gardens Apartments in the West Falls Church area of the Mason District.
CITY OF FAIRFAX
The City of Fairfax is offering residents Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness resources: access information about affordable rental units, first-time homebuyer assistance, free home repairs, tenant rights protection, homeless services, and encampment support with full contact information.
LOUDOUN
Loudoun’s budget work sessions are complete and the final budget is expected to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval at their April 7 business meeting. The budget includes $26M for the Housing Fund, including the dedication of a full penny of the real property tax. Advocates remain concerned about the need for additional investments in permanent supportive housing and a new family shelter.
Loudoun residents are invited to provide comments on planning documents for the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on April 15 to receive feedback on the planning documents. Public comments may be submitted through April 15 online (https://loudoun.gov/CDBG) or by mail (Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177, Attn: Entitlement Funds Program Manager) or in person at the public hearing.
Questions remain about the offer that was made in December to purchase the Hiway Mobile Home Community in Lucketts. Residents received a letter from the owner in March stating that there is no pending sale of the property. There are ongoing concerns about Department of Environmental Quality violations related to the property’s wastewater treatment plant. NVAHA will continue to support Lucketts community leaders as they explore options for working with the residents of the mobile home community.
Questions remain about the offer that was made in December to purchase the Hiway Mobile Home Community in Lucketts. Residents received a letter from the owner in March stating that there is no pending sale of the property. There are ongoing concerns about Department of Environmental Quality violations related to the property’s wastewater treatment plant. NVAHA will continue to support Lucketts community leaders as they explore options for working with the residents of the mobile home community.
The next meeting of the NVAHA Loudoun Alliance will be held virtually on Monday, April 27 at 11am. Contact Amanda at amanda.caughran@nvaha.org for more information.
PRINCE WILLIAM
The final budget and tax rate hearing for the Prince William County Proposed FY 2027 Budget will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 7pm. The proposed budget includes a $5 million contribution to the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund. The total contributions to the Affordable Housing Reserve will increase to a $21M investment from FY24-FY27. NVAHA encourages advocates to provide public testimony at the Budget Public Hearing.
The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) hosted the second information session for the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) in March, which included a pre-application meeting with developers and housing industry leaders. This session provided a comprehensive review of the upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), to be released in May 2026, which included the application process and required submission documentation. It also offered an opportunity to address and discuss questions received during the first AHF informational meeting.
OHCD continues to collaborate with contractors whose developments are in the early stages of construction, with a focus on supporting and marketing committed affordable for-sale units. As part of this effort, OHCD will assist with outreach and marketing and will provide long-term monitoring of qualified purchasers to ensure compliance with affordability requirements.
OHCD will host a homebuyer orientation for interested and prospective buyers of committed affordable units on Thursday, April 16 from 6-8pm, in the Leesylvania Conference Room at the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Registration is required.
The next meeting of the NVAHA Prince William Alliance will be held virtually on Thursday, April 23 at 4pm. Contact Jill at jill.norcross@nvaha.org for more information or to be added to the Zoom calendar invite.
DMV
Please join the Coalition for Smarter Growth in urging the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) to revise its draft Climate Plan Mid-Course Review to clearly communicate to local officials that the region is off track in achieving our 2030 GHG targets and the key actions to get us back on course. Housing is one of the asks – to include progress toward the regional housing targets, including housing in walkable, transit-friendly activity centers. The deadline to respond is Friday, April 3 using this form, which has their draft letter and links to relevant materials.
VIRGINIA
Governor Spanberger announced on March 11 that 61 projects throughout Virginia will receive a total of $14M in Virginia Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grants. This includes 19 permanent supportive housing projects, 29 rapid re-housing projects, and 13 innovation projects for underserved communities.
Join Virginia Housing and Atlantic Union Bank for a free homebuyer education session on April 4, from 9:45am to 4:15pm at the Sterling Library – Meeting Room A, 22330 S. Sterling Blvd., Sterling, VA 20164. Understand the homebuying process from start-to-finish. Learn what to expect at every stage of buying a home with expert guidance to help you move forward with confidence. Please register to attend.
FEDERAL | NATIONAL
Advocates are asked to comment on HUD’s proposed changes to the Mixed Immigration Status Proposed Rule, a longstanding policy that has allowed families with mixed immigration statuses to live together in HUD-assisted housing. The proposal would cause these families to no longer be eligible for assistance, or evict family members without legal status. Access advocacy opportunities and resources from NLIHC’s Keep Families Together Campaign. Public comments are due April 21.
Also, advocates are asked to comment on HUD’s 30-Day Notice Proposed Rule. This would mean that housing authorities and owners of properties that received project based rental assistance would no longer have to give tenants 30-day notice of termination of a lease. Originally, HUD issued this as a final ruling effective in March but, due to litigation, HUD reissued it as a proposed rule with an adequate period for public comment. Public comment is due April 27.
Finally, advocates are also asked to comment on HUD’s Proposed Rule on Time Limits and Work Requirements, which would allow housing authorities to place time limits and work requirements on HUD assisted households. For more information, read NHLP Facts about Work Requirements and Time Limits. Public comments due May 1.
According to NLIHC and their recently issued GAP Report, the U.S. has a shortage of 7.2M rental homes affordable and available to renters with extremely low incomes. Only 35 affordable and available rental homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. Extremely low-income renters face a shortage in every state and major metropolitan area.
A recent Executive Order signals broader push to reduce regulatory barriers and speed up housing development, with a strong emphasis on single-family and lower-density construction. While some changes could help lower development costs more broadly, the order does not include direct tools typically needed to produce deeply affordable housing.
The Court has ruled that the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development unlawfully imposed political conditions on federal housing grants tied to homelessness programs. The decision blocks those restrictions and preserves access to funding for permanent supportive housing and Continuum of Care programs, which serve people experiencing homelessness.
ARTICLES & TOOLS OF INTEREST
- (watch for final vote on this bill, then use updated article) Congress Advances Landmark Bipartisan Bill To Spur Housing Development, BizNow
- Housing Bills to Boost Supply and Protect Tenants on the Way to Spanberger’s Desk, Virginia Mercury
- Virginia By Right Zoning Fails, Housing Wire
- FY2026 Federal Budget Resource Series, National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Federal Housing Tracker, Virginia Housing Alliance
- Housing Bill Helps Churches Build Affordable Housing, ALXNow
- Manufactured Housing Signed by the Governor, Alongside Other Bills, WTVR.com
- The 6 Big Residential Projects in the Works around National Landing, Urban Turf