News & Events
Local governments begin budget hearings in March, starting with the City of Alexandria on March 10. With ample notice that FY2011 would be another year of budget shortfalls and severe cuts to human services, housing advocates organized last fall to discuss the priority of housing needs and funding recommendations to be considered for the coming fiscal year. The result of their efforts was the creation of housing proposals for three jurisdictions to be submitted to elected officials for budget deliberations.
All Northern Virginia jurisdictions have experienced a dramatic increase in housing needs in the last two years, due to homelessness, foreclosures or job loss. But many elected officials have expressed an unwillingness to provide the necessary resources for housing, citing budget deficits, a reliance on one-time federal stimulus dollars, and the need to support core local government services. Arlington is a notable exception, stating their commitment to maintaining support for affordable housing programs in budget guidance issued earlier this year.
Housing advocates must make the case for continued commitment to housing for the well-being of our community. Related investments in schools, services and transportation are less effective when families cannot find safe, affordable housing. Advocates are encouraged to become familiar with the proposals put forth for their jurisdictions, and voice their support at the upcoming public hearings. To review the housing recommendations for Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County click on the links provided below.
Alexandria Housing Action Recommendations for Funding Priorities for FY2011
Arlington County Housing Commission Recommendations for Funding Priorities for FY2011
Fairfax County Housing Blueprint with Funding Priorities for FY2011
To review the schedule of budget hearings for the various jurisdictions, go to the FY2011 Budget Deliberations article below.
Call To Action: Restoring Housing Funding
Two new studies on the state of housing in the Washington metro area were released recently. These reports, from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Urban Institute, can be added to the established body of research that demonstrates the persistent and growing shortage of affordable housing for low and moderate income families.
As stated in ULI's report summary, "Despite recent shifts in the regional housing market, land values and home prices in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area remain unattainable for a large portion of workforce households."
Studies by GMU's Center for Regional Analysis and other research firms have shown that the Northern Virginia region needs tens of thousands of units of affordable rental housing near job centers and transit nodes for our workforce, as well as affordable housing for our most vulnerable families and individuals who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or have special needs.
Housing advocates have an important role to play in addressing this shortage. First, using available research and the real life stories of low and moderate income families, advocates should continue to educate local elected officials about the need. Foreclosures and reduced real estate values have given many political leaders the mistaken impression that housing affordability is no longer an issue.
Second, it is time for all jurisdictions to identify an appropriate, dedicated source of funding that can be used to address this housing shortage. Providing housing opportunities for households of all incomes is a component of the infrastructure necessary for a healthy, vibrant sustainable community - no less important than excellent schools, adequate public safety and an efficient transportation network.
To assist advocates in this work, the Alliance has developed a new section on its Research and Publications webpage, "Call To Action: Restoring Resources for Affordable Housing." This section contains talking points, fact sheets and links to reports on our housing needs.
As local governments work through the fall to develop budgets for FY2011, housing advocates should be "at the table," working to restore funds for the preservation and construction of affordable housing that were eliminated in the last fiscal year. The Alliance will continue to share housing information and resources, and work with our partner organizations to develop the most effective strategies for restoring funding for affordable housing in our region. To review Call to Action, go to http://nvaha.org/NVAHA/ResearchPubs.html.