McDonnell announces $1 million in supportive housing grants

Gov. Bob McDonnell has awarded $1 million in housing grants designed to aid people who have disabilities or are chronically homeless.

The three grants will create 19 housing units in Gloucester County, Fairfax County and Newport News.

The money was allocated for the following projects: $362,338 for Woodland Pointe Apartments in Gloucester County; $500,000 for Pathway Homes Permanent Supportive Housing in Fairfax County; and $137,662 for New Phoenix Village in Newport News.

The winning applicants for the funds were the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck Community Services Board, Pathway Homes and Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board, respectively.

The grants come from a special funding allocation of $1 million included in the governor’s budget for fiscal year 2013.

The governor’s office said the special funding allocation was made to support one of the key goals in the Homeless Policy Outcomes Report from November 2010.

That report called for increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing for persons with disabilities and those experiencing chronic homelessness.

In addition to providing affordable housing, this type of housing also offers access to services appropriate to the targeted population.

Thirteen applications totaling $5.2 million were received for this year’s grant cycle.