Affordable housing contemplated at Chantilly Regional Library

Fairfax County officials are considering a plan to build up to 200 apartment units on county-owned land near Chantilly Regional Library. 

At a board meeting last Tuesday (Aug. 2), Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith proposed a plan to convey roughly 8 acres of board-owned land on the library’s site to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority for an affordable housing project. 

“The site’s location is ideal,” Smith wrote. “It is within walking distance to important services beyond the existing library including schools, parks, transit routes, as well as recreation and commercial amenities.”

Smith said these features could make the new project an “equitable” community with a neighborhood living environmental that provides opportunities for all. 

Smith contemplates that the plan would include apartment units, associated support services, an open plaza, and site-wide pedestrian improvements. The plaza would be shared between residents and library patrons. 

So far, Tuesday’s action simply puts the topic on the table for discussion through a public hearing. 

Smith’s proposal is part of an overall countywide push to build a minimum of 10,000 new affordable housing units by 2034. The county’s renewed focus has resulted in efforts to work with public and private partners to produce and fund affordable housing.

Last week’s board meeting also included approvals of financing for affordable housing projects in Tysons and Reston.

Photo via FCPL