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April 20, 2007
NVBIA Adopts Position Statement on Affordable Housing
Local Builders Group Offers Recommendations to Increase Affordable/Workforce Housing Production
In February, the Northern Virginia Building Industry Associate (NVBIA) adopted a position statement outlining several proposals to increase the production of affordable/workforce housing in the region.  NVBIA identifies four major areas for consideration by local policymakers:

  • Provide housing opportunities through new development;
  • Preserve existing housing opportunities that are affordable;
  • Offer additional financial incentives, including options for loans, non-cash incentives and direct financial support; and
  • Assess housing needs along with the locality’s economic development and land use needs.

Many of NVBIA’s key recommendations in these areas closely align with current Fairfax County policies, activities and initiatives, or policies and initiatives the County is actively considering.  Examples include but are not limited to:

  • NVBIA Recommendation: Density Bonuses/Increases to Permit Additional Affordable and Workforce Units. What Fairfax County is Doing:  The Board of Supervisors-appointed High-rise Affordability Panel is recommending that the County adopt a policy providing for bonus market rate units for voluntarily-provided workforce housing units in high-rise/high-density areas.  The County’s current Affordable Dwelling Unit Program provides for additional density available in exchange for required affordable units.

  • NVBIA Recommendations:  Regulatory Waivers to Increase Density and Thus the Number of Affordable Units; Streamlining the Approval Process; Reduce Regulatory Obstacles  What Fairfax County is Doing:  The Board-appointed High-rise Affordability Panel is recommending that the County increase allowable building heights and/or modification of bulk plane regulations where necessary to accommodate Affordable/Workforce units and any associated bonus market units.  The Panel is also recommending that the County develop a “toolbox” of regulatory actions to be applied as needed to enhance the economic situation for providing affordable and/or workforce housing, including, among other things, reduction and/or flexibility in parking requirements for Workforce Housing units; decreasing the processing time of rezoning applications, site plans, and building permits for projects providing substantial Affordable/Workforce Housing; and moderating development fees such as processing fees.

  • NVBIA Recommendations:  Each local government should establish a Housing Trust Fund  What Fairfax County is Doing:  In FY 2006, the Board of Supervisors dedicated the value of one penny of the real estate tax rate to the preservation of affordable housing in Fairfax County.  The “Penny for Affordable Housing Fund” commitment generated $17.9 million in new funds for the preservation and production of affordable housing in FY 2006 and $21.9 million in FY2007.  The Penny is expected to provide $22.7 million in FY 2008 for the preservation of affordable housing, and is anticipated to be an ongoing source of funding for the preservation and production of new affordable housing in the County.  As of April 20, 2007, a total of 966 affordable housing units have been preserved as a result of Penny Fund investments by the Board.  Since the beginning of the Board’s Affordable Housing Preservation Initiative, a total of 1364 units have been preserved, including the 966 units preserved in deals using the Penny Fund.  The County also has a Housing Trust Fund, which is expected to generate approximately $1.9 million for affordable housing preservation and production in FY 2008.

A copy of NVBIA’s policy statement can be viewed by clicking here.