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November 21, 2007
Non-Profit Dialogue Event Focuses on Draft FCRHA/HCD FY 2009 Strategic Action Plan
Variety of Groups Give Input on Preliminary Housing Authority Work Plan

On October 29, 2007, representatives of non-profit organizations and other activists gathered to review and comment on the draft Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Strategic Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2009.  This “Non-profit Dialogue” was part of a continuing series of conversations with the FCRHA’s non-profit partners, initiated by HCD Director Paula C. Sampson.

Ms. Sampson and HCD staff provided an overview of the Plan’s major focus areas, which include, among others:

  1. Affordable Housing Preservation;
  2. Affordable Housing and Facilities for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities;
  3. Homeownership; and
  4. Meeting Future Affordable Housing Needs through New Production.

Following the opening briefing, participants broke into smaller groups, which were facilitated by HCD staff and focused on specific subject areas within the Plan.  At the end of this process, the group reconvened to report their comments, which had many common themes including:

  1. Establishing a Linkage to the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness: Participants recommended that the plan clarify opportunities for linkage between the FCRHA/HCD Strategic Plan and the goals of the Board of Supervisors-endorsed Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.
  2. Serving Lower Incomes:  Participants cited the continued need to focus on very, very low income households (those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), and asked that this be noted in the draft FCRHA/HCD Strategic Plan. 
  3. Community Outreach and Education:  Participants recommended that the FCRHA and HCD continue to focus on educating non-profit and community groups, including the faith community, about the County’s affordable housing efforts and housing issues in general.

At the conclusion of the event, HCD Director Sampson reported that the comments from the event would be shared with the FCRHA, which will consider the Plan for approval at its December 13, 2007 meeting.