December 21, 2007

Applications for Project-Based Vouchers Available - Deadline: Jan. 31, 2008

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is pleased to announce the availability of up to 74 Housing Choice Vouchers for Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBA) for existing housing and the acceptance of proposals from organizations that provide housing and services to qualified households, with a preference to organizations that provide housing to seniors, persons 62 years of age or older.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program, defines existing housing as that which requires less than $1,000 per assisted unit (including the unit’s prorated share of any work to be accomplished on common areas of systems) to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), excluding housing for which new construction or rehabilitation has started. PBA is limited to 25% of the units in a building unless the building has four units or less, or units designated for families that are elderly, disabled, or receiving supportive services will occupy the units. It may be possible to obtain a HUD waiver to this limit if supportive services will be provided to all PBA residents. Rent subsidy contracts are available for periods up to 10 years, subject to annual appropriations. If currently occupied units are to be included in the PBA program, the unit must meet HQS and the current tenant must apply and be determined eligible for Housing Choice Voucher assistance.

The FCRHA will rank each application based upon weighted selection criteria. The criteria will have a total possible score of 100 and will include:

• Site and Community Amenities and/or supportive services: Maximum Points – 10;
• Owner Experience and Management: Maximum Points – 35;
• Consistency with FCRHA Initiatives: Maximum Points – 35;
• Feasibility of the Project: Maximum Points – 20;

Required minimum thresholds include that the units be standard, non-luxury multi-family or townhouse units meeting Housing Quality Standards, that the units not be located in a Census Tract with more than 20% poverty, Site Control in the form of a long-term lease or deed, and a minimum application score of 70 points. Vouchers will be awarded to the applying housing provider(s) based on the highest total score who also meets the minimum thresholds.

Meeting:
An information meeting to discuss the application for owners and the eligibility criteria for potential occupants will be held on January 9, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. at the HCD office, 3700 Pender Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.  Interested owners must submit an application form that may be obtained from the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) the office listed below or the FCRHA website, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rha. Selected applicants will be notified in writing by February 29, 2008.

Deadline:
Applications will be accepted from December 21, 2007 until 4 p.m. on January 31, 2008, at the HCD office on Pender Drive in Fairfax. Applications should be addressed as follows:

Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority,
3700 Pender Drive, Suite 100,
Fairfax, VA 22030
Attn: H. Michael Wever-Chalatkhirikun, Associate Director, Rental Services Division.

Only applications submitted in response to this notice will be considered for selection. To obtain an application, please call 703-246-5218 (TTY 703-385-3578).