Recent News

A hand holds the wooden cutout of a house up to the sun, and the light streams through the cutout windows of the house.

03.06.2024
Funding will support new construction and rehabilitation of over 5,358 affordable and special needs housing units Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today more than $129 million in Affordable and Special Needs Housing loans for 78 projects across the Commonwealth. The recommended projects will create and preserve 5,358 total units for low-income and extremely low-income households.   “Ensuring accessible and affordable housing for Virginians isn’t just a basic requirement, it’s a strategic pillar for our state’s continued success,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By keeping homes affordable and available, we are cultivating economic growth, strengthening our communities and laying the foundation for a thriving Virginia.”  The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers Affordable and Special Needs Housing (ASNH) loans, which combines state and federal resources to provide a simplified and comprehensive application process. Funding comes from four main sources: the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), the federal National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE) and the Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF).  VHTF is funded by the Commonwealth and supports financing for housing construction projects that create or preserve affordable housing units, reduce the cost of affordable housing and increase homeownership. This funding is a key source of financing for these affordable housing initiatives to support moderate- and low-income families, as well as supporting homeless reduction grants to provide rapid re-housing and longer-term housing solutions for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.  “Accessible and affordable housing is foundational to building a flourishing economy, and our commitment to meeting this essential need is unwavering,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “These initiatives will not only expand and improve our affordable housing inventory but will also contribute to fostering a more resilient and prosperous Virginia for all.”  "Increasing Virginia's supply of attainable, affordable and accessible housing is key to strengthening Virginia's economy and furthers this administration's Make Virginia Home Plan," said Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Bryan Horn. "These awarded projects will leverage $2.1 billion in additional federal, state, local and private lending resources to create and preserve housing options for Virginians."  Affordable and Special Needs Housing loans are awarded through a competitive process. Eighty-seven applications were received for this round of funding, requesting more than $149 million. To learn more about the ASNH program, visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/asnh.   A FULL LIST OF THE 2023 ASNH AWARDS CAN BE FOUND HERE. 

Different brick storefronts along a main street

02.23.2024
Funding will support revitalization of derelict structures into mixed-use developments Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today $1.5 million in Mixed Use on Main Street (MUMS) funding for three projects located in the city of Hopewell and the towns of Marion and Pulaski. The projects will transform a vacant property located in Hopewell’s Downtown Historic District, add eight market rate apartments in Pulaski and renovate the Gospel Armory and Past Time Antique buildings into 12 apartments and two retail spaces in the town of Marion. “Downtowns serve as the heartbeat of countless communities in the Commonwealth, and this investment initiative seeks to breathe new life into neglected structures by cultivating dynamic businesses and new housing prospects,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “A resilient infrastructure is fundamental to a prosperous economic approach, and this program will propel economic growth and nurture community pride in these communities.” MUMS is a pilot program created as a joint effort with the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) and Virginia Main Street (VMS) programs, both administered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to support the revitalization of vacant or underutilized downtown spaces to create opportunities for commercial development and housing units in communities that are active participants in VMS. Awards are available up to $500,000 for the rehabilitation of mixed-use buildings that must include the creation or preservation of housing units and can be provided as either grants or loans. “This program empowers us to strategically invest in our communities, providing the resources and adaptability that is crucial for economic growth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. "Through MUMS, we can remove barriers to future economic development efforts by turning blighted or vacated structures into sources of growth.” MUMS funding leverages local and private resources to achieve market-driven redevelopment of structures, creating a catalyst for long-term employment opportunities, on-going physical and economic revitalization, and housing units in communities. “Through MUMS, we are able to make targeted and strategic investments in communities and create the best possible catalyst for revitalization and growth,” said Bryan Horn, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. “These three projects will leverage over $3 million in additional public and private investments to bring new life to these structures and the localities.” For more information on MUMS, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/irf. Locality/Organization Project Name Award City of Hopewell 307 East Broadway $500,000 Marion Economic Development Authority Gospel Armory/Past Time Building $500,000 Town of Pulaski 69 West Main Street $500,000  

Two pairs of hands hold a small blue outline of a house

02.12.2024
Funding will support rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and support services to underserved populations in 109 localities Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced $12 million in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grants for 55 projects across the Commonwealth. The funding will advance targeted efforts to reduce homelessness with 2,177 individuals and families.  “In the pursuit of sustainable economic growth and a thriving business landscape, it is imperative that we develop responsive housing solutions,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This funding not only safeguards our most vulnerable citizens, but also addresses the changing housing needs of all Virginians.”  The Virginia Housing Trust Fund is funded by the Commonwealth, and the grants announced today represent 20% of this fiscal year’s fund investment. The remaining funds support the production of new or rehabilitated housing units through the Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program.   “Housing stands as the cornerstone for fostering lively communities and robust local economies,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “This funding round prioritizes innovative approaches, like rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing, to effectively combat homelessness, ensuring that every at-risk Virginian receives the support they need to make homeless rare, brief and one-time.”  The goal of the Virginia Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grant Program is to reduce homelessness throughout Virginia. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) supports Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC) local planning group strategies and homeless service projects that are a part of an effective emergency crisis response system in communities. The Homeless Reduction Grant program must be coordinated with other community-based activities, and grantees use a local centralized or coordinated assessment/entry system, which is the best practice for a housing-focused approach for helping households experiencing homelessness quickly regain stability in permanent housing.  “Making sure every Virginian has a place to call home is critical, and this round of grant funding will continue the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce homelessness,” said Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Director, Bryan Horn. “These projects will assist our most vulnerable residents by removing barriers and providing services to support them as they regain housing stability.”  For more information, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/vhtf.    A FULL LIST OF THE 2024 HOMELESS REDUCTION GRANT AWARDED PROJECTS CAN BE FOUND HERE. 

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Tenant and Landlord Resources

Current state law requires landlords and tenants to cooperate with each other in matters regarding nonpayment of rent and applying for rental assistance based on income eligibility and availability of rental assistance funds. If you feel like this is not happening, you should contact an attorney to learn more about your legal rights.

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Those experiencing homelessness or other housing crisis should contact their local crisis assistance hotline by clicking here to find your local hotline.

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Virginia Governor's Housing Conference

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2018 Code Development Process

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Landlord Tenant Handbook

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