affordable housing | FFXnow

Fairfax mayor advocates for state to clear path for church-based affordable housing

Published February 3, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated February 3, 2026 at 12:19PM

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for Wesley Housing's Beacon Landing supportive housing project (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A lengthy approval process for an affordable townhouse development motivated Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read to testify in support of state legislation eliminating a key hurdle to affordable housing on church-owned properties.

State Sen. Jeremy McPike’s (D-29) Senate Bill 388 would let religious organizations develop housing on their land by right, without needing to go through a special exception, special use or conditional use permit or rezoning process that requires public hearings and votes.

News

Proposals for affordable housing on Columbia Pike, Dulles Greene sites take shape

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 3, 2026 at 9:15AM

True Ground Housing Partners' proposed Dulles Greene affordable housing development (via KTGY/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is moving forward with plans to transform two mostly vacant sites into affordable housing after identifying potential partners for both projects.

The authority approved an interim agreement at its Jan. 22 meeting with True Ground Housing Partners allowing it to commence “pre-development activities” for a 9.6-acre property at 13500 Dulles Greene Drive near the Innovation Center Metro station in Herndon. The process will include a physical site review, community engagement and a financial feasibility assessment.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders advocate for education, Metro funding in meeting with state delegation

By Jared Serre

Published December 18, 2025 at 11:45AM

Local and state lawmakers meet for a pre-legislative meeting hosted on Dec. 16, 2025 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (screenshot via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors welcomed multiple state lawmakers who represent the area this past Tuesday (Dec. 16) for an “open exchange of ideas” ahead of next month’s legislative session in Richmond.

As laid out in the 2026 legislative program adopted earlier this month, the local leaders pointed to funding for K-12 education, the need to increase the area’s housing supply, Metro funding and assistance with “responding to changing federal landscapes” as top priorities.

News

Planned Lake Barcroft independent living complex lands financing

By Nolan Stout

Published December 16, 2025 at 2:45PM

Rendering of the Kindred Crossing independent living housing complex (via Wesley Housing)

An affordable independent living complex planned in the Lake Barcroft area near Falls Church has secured key financing to move forward.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the county’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority to issue $16 million in tax-exempt bonds for the $51.6 million Kindred Crossing project.

News

Crescent Apartments overhaul to prioritize affordable housing, new community center

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 10, 2025 at 3:45PM

Crescent Apartments in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is starting to test the waters on an initial concept for its plan to replace and expand on Reston’s Crescent Apartments.

Now more than a decade in the making after a previous push to revitalize the Lake Anne area stalled, the redevelopment will prioritize preserving the property’s status as a valuable affordable housing site, while also better integrating it with the surrounding community, according to FCRHA Associate Development Director Thor Nelson.

News

Advocates seek more protections for manufactured home residents in Fairfax

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 10, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Harmony Place mobile homes front office in Hybla Valley (via Google Maps)

Residents of Fairfax County’s manufactured home communities pressed county leaders yesterday (Tuesday) to do more to protect the properties from redevelopment and those who live there from displacement.

“We don’t want to be moved out of the county — we’d like to stay in our homes,” said Denia Moya, a resident of the Harmony Place Mobile Home Park (8018 Richmond Highway) in Hybla Valley.

News

Fairfax City Council rejects proposal to redevelop shopping center near Old Town

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 10, 2025 at 9:15AM

Rendering of apartments proposed for Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center (via Combined Properties/City of Fairfax)

Plans to redevelop a portion of the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center near Old Town Fairfax into housing were rejected by Fairfax City Council members late last month, leaving the aging site’s future in limbo once again.

The 4-2 vote on Oct. 28 came three months after council members opted on July 22 to delay a final decision in hopes a revamped proposal by developer Combined Properties would address concerns raised by critics throughout the development process.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders to fight any state bills diluting local authority to regulate housing

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 10, 2025 at 1:45PM

One University affordable housing development in Fairfax (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County leaders appear ready to battle any efforts in the 2026 General Assembly session to strip powers of local government to regulate creation of new housing.

“We want affordable housing,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said, but the county’s lobbying efforts in Richmond would be focused on “making sure the General Assembly doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all” approach that erases local decision-making powers.

Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors seek to reduce red tape around affordable housing

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 16, 2025 at 9:15AM

Fairfax County officials in 2025 broke ground on an affordable housing project at 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff last Tuesday (Sept. 9) to take a six-month-long deep dive into current housing policies, hoping to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles hampering the creation of more affordable units across the community.

“This is absolutely an essential part of our economic strategy,” said Board Chairman Jeff McKay, who proposed the action. “It comes up in every conversation with the public.”

Countywide

Fairfax County adopts new guidelines to support displaced affordable housing tenants

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 12, 2025 at 3:45PM

One University affordable housing development in Fairfax (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 9) adopted a package of new guidelines for relocating tenants when affordable apartments are slated for redevelopment, acquisition or condominium conversion.

“The overarching goal is to assist displaced tenants in moving to safe and affordable replacement housing convenient to their employment or school, while facilitating tenants’ return to preserved affordable units to the greatest extent possible,” county staff said in the report’s overview.