Warner, Kaine announce nearly $95 million for Va. affordable housing

Nearly $95 million in federal funding has been earmarked for affordable housing in Virginia, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner, D-Virginia, and Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, announced Friday.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through four grant programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program, the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.

The CDBG program has been granted a total of more than $58.5 million. The program provides annual grants to housing and expansion of economic opportunities for people classified as low- and moderate-income. More than 30 localities in Virginia will benefit from the program, but Fairfax County, Norfolk, Prince William County, Richmond and Virginia Beach will receive the most. Fairfax County has been allotted nearly $6 million, Norfolk $4.5 million, Richmond $4.5 million, Prince William nearly $2.7 million and Virginia Beach more than $2 million.

The HOME program allotted more than $26 million to 21 localities. Fairfax County, Norfolk and Virginia Beach were the only localities slated to receive more than $1 million. Fairfax County will receive more than $2.1 million, while Norfolk and Virginia Beach will get $1.2 million and $1.07 million, respectively.

The ESG specifically grants people access to housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness and also provides grants for street outreach. Seven localities in Virginia will receive funding including Fairfax County, Henrico County, Norfolk, Prince William County, Richmond, Roanoke and Virginia Beach. The program was granted a total of nearly $5 million.

HOPWA grants housing assistance and support services to low-income persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Only Virginia Beach and Richmond were granted funding for the program. Richmond will receive $1.3 million in funding and Virginia Beach will receive nearly $2 million.

“We are very glad to see nearly $95 million dollars go towards supporting access to affordable housing for folks with the highest need in localities throughout Virginia,” Warner and Kaine said in a statement. “We will continue fighting for grant opportunities that help promote accessible housing in the commonwealth, including the Community Development Block Grant Program, which the president has proposed eliminating in next year’s budget.”