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Workforce Affordable Housing

For Fauquier County Affordable Housing Committee documents, please click here.

Overview
Background
Committee Goals
Workforce Affordable Housing Toolkit
Publications and Housing Market Data
Committee Meeting Materials

Overview

In 2006, the median price of a single family home in the Rappahannock-Rapidan region was $345,000, compared with a median price of $150,000 only six years ago. This trend, which has been documented in all five counties in the region, has generated concern that a significant segment of the local workforce can no longer afford to purchase a home here, and the consequent economic and social implications for the region.

To address these concerns, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Workforce Affordable Housing Committee was established as an advisory body to the Regional Commission. Its goals are to advise the Regional Commission on the subject of workforce affordable housing, compile relevant data and reports to support local and regional efforts to expand and retain workforce affordable housing, and facilitate regional information exchange on this subject.

The Committee is chaired by Anthony Hooper, Deputy County Administrator of Fauquier County. Meetings are held at the R-R Regional Commission offices.

Background

In 2005, in response to concerns about soaring home prices in the region, the Regional Commission partnered with the Chambers of Commerce and the business community in the region to convene a regional workforce housing forum. The conclusions drawn from that event were that affordable workforce housing is a complex problem that is intensifying in the Rappahannock-Rapidan region, and that the problem will continue to worsen unless action is taken. The problem requires local solutions in the context of regional approaches.

The Forum participants also concluded that there was a need to mobilize a regional working group of business, government, and the nonprofit housing providers to develop actionable ideas and to monitor trends relevant to attracting and housing a qualified regional workforce. (See Synopsis of the Spring 2005 Regional Workforce Housing Forum) The Working Group released its recommendations in 2006. Recommendations include conducting an annual analysis of regional housing trends, and researching barriers to creating workforce housing.

In fulfillment of the first recommendation contained in the report, the Working Group contracted with Dr. John McClain, Senior Fellow at George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis, to provide detailed housing market data for the region. His report, entitled Housing Market Trends: 2005 Year-End Report was released in May 2006.

Committee Goals

The Regional Workforce Affordable Housing Committee is building on the recommendations of the Working Group to promote the expansion and retention of affordable housing in the Rappahannock Rapidan Region. The Committee is focusing its efforts on housing with sale prices or rents affordable to households earning between 50 percent and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Initial goals include creating a Toolkit that presents practical strategies for local governing bodies, facilitating communication and cooperation among area stakeholders, and documenting the current status of the regional workforce affordable housing environment.

Workforce Affordable Housing Toolkit

Outline and Priority Topics

Accessory Dwelling Units:  Presentation

Workforce Housing Trust Fund

Publications & Housing Market Data

2007 House Price Trends [June 2008]

APA 2007 National Planning Conference Presentation [April 2007]

2006 House Price Trends [March 2007]

Workforce Affordable Housing Definition [Dec 2006]

Housing Market Trends: 2005 Year-End Report - George Mason Center for Regional Analysis [May 2006]

Affordable Workforce Housing Report Of The Working Group:
     Recommendations for our Region [February 2006]

Synopsis of the Spring 2005 Regional Workforce Housing Forum [April 2005]

Committee Meeting Materials

March 16, 2007 meeting
     Agenda
     Meeting Notes

April 20, 2007 meeting
     Agenda
     Meeting Notes

June 22, 2007 meeting
     Agenda
     Meeting Notes

September 14, 2007 meeting
     Agenda
     Meeting Notes
     Town of Culpeper ADU Ordinance
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Fauquier County Affordable Housing Committee

The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors established an Affordable Housing Committee in the Fall of 2006. The Committee has undertaken a project to assess the County's housing needs and offer recommendations based on its findings.

2008 Housing Report - July 2008
2008 Housing Report Executive Summary - July 2008

The Affordable Housing Committee also recommended and supported a pilot first-time homebuyer program for county, town and school system employees. This program combined below-market-rate mortgage loans from Virginia Housing Development Authority's (VHDA) SPARC program with down payment and closing cost assistance from Fauquier County to assist four Fauquier County families in purchasing their first homes in 2008.