Select Page

Affordable Housing Nov-22 Update

by Oct 31, 2022VOICE

Background

What do we mean by Affordable Housing and Why is it important to all PWC residents? Who are first time home buyers in our area? They are teachers, nurses, police officers, emergency responders, and others who work in the county. Here are some statistics on issues PWC residents face when attempting to buy their first home:

  • The median or mid-point sales price for a home in Prince William County has risen to $520,000. 
  • The annual median income for a Prince William County resident is just over $109,000.
  • The required down payment for first time home buyers ranges from 10% to 20% of the purchase price.
  • Based on loan industry standards – someone making the annual median income in Prince William County can afford a house costing no more than $378,000!
  • The county also reports we are facing a shortfall of at least 20,000 homes by 2040 to keep up with current demand.

We need affordable work force home buying options so our teachers, nurses, police officers, emergency personnel, and others who work in the county can afford to live here!

It is not just home ownership. PWC residents face barriers when trying to rent a “livable” apartment. Here are some statistics on issues potential renters are faced with:

  • The average rate to rent a 850 square foot apartment in Dale City, VA is $19,200 annually or $1,650 per month.
  • Using the accepted metric that housing costs should not exceed 30% of annual income, an individual looking to rent this 850 sq ft apartment would have to earn a salary of $64,000 annually or $31 dollars an hour.

We need affordable work force apartment rental options so individuals with entry level jobs in the workforce like store clerks, medical technicians, domestic workers and others who live in the county can afford to live here.

We need creative solutions to the affordable housing issue in Prince William County for example:

  • Establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund
  • Implement an Affordable Dwelling Unit ordinance
  • Explore public private partnerships
  • Assure re-zoning options address environmental concerns

How you can help

On Wednesday November 9, 2022 at 7PM there will be an important public meeting of the PWC Planning Commission at the James J. McCourt Administration Building – Board Chambers, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge which will address the Affordable Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan – Pathway To 2040. This document will serve as a foundation for future ordinances and policies around increasing affordable housing in the county.

Our county is in desperate need of available, accessible workforce housing; housing where the residents earning 80% or less of Average Median Income (AMI) pay no more than 30% of their gross income for housing costs, including utilities. The county needs to set a measurable target to eliminate the gap of affordable housing in the county so that all teachers, law enforcement, first responders/firefighters, healthcare workers, county and city employees who work in PWC find affordable housing and affordable transportation in the county where they work.

More information on this issue can be found on the PWC website –https://www.pwcva.gov/department/planning-office/planning-commission

Take action! – We need as many residents as possible to voice their concerns about this critical issue.

Attend the Meeting To Show Solidarity – Representatives of two VOICE PW religious congregations will be speaking in support of including measurable goals to eliminate the shortfall of affordable housing in PWC. Those attending will be asked to stand if they support this recommendation so a large attendance will matter.

Voice your concern by Email – The following is a sample email that you can send to members of the Planning Commission Board members and Staff Please cc the PWC Board of Supervisor Chair-At-Large, and your PWC Supervisor (or all the Supervisors if you like). A list of names and e-mail addresses is provided below. Feel free to copy and paste it, adding a personal story about how the issues of affordable housing are affecting you and your community and neighbors.

Dear _______,

I’ve learned the PWC Planning Commission will be reviewing the draft PWC Comprehensive Plan – Pathway to 2040 Chapter on Affordable Housing on November 9, 2022.  I would like to communicate my concerns on an issue which this plan addresses: 

Our county is in desperate need of available, accessible workforce housing; housing where residents earning 80% or less of Average Median Income (AMI) pay no more than 30% of their gross income for housing costs, including utilities. We need to ensure the construction and financing of enough affordable dwelling units so all teachers, law enforcement, first responders/firefighters, healthcare workers, county/city employees who work in PWC find affordable housing and affordable transportation in the county where they work. 

In order to accomplish this, I advocate for the Comprehensive Plan to establish specific goals of – “reducing the shortfall in affordable housing for those making less than 80% of AMI by 25% no later than the end of 2030, by 60% no later than the end of 2035, and by 100% no later than the end of 2040.” 

Thank you for your continued caring support of the concerns of all Prince William County residents. 

Sincerely 

Here is a list of the PWC Planning Commission members and staff and Board of County Supervisors with their email addresses:

Background reading: Report: Prince William County’s housing shortage to persist without policy changes.