Operating Budget 2025-2026

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS OFFICE HOUSING DIVISION NARRATIVE

The Office of Housing and Community Connections facilitates quality community development that results in improved community and business relations and benefits to low and moderate-income (LMI) persons by providing housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities. The office also provides community planning, information resources, and financial support for low to moderate-income individuals, families, and organizations in a fair and equitable manner. In delivering these services, the Housing Division manages the following Special Revenue Funds: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fund, HOME Consortium Fund, and the Affordable Housing Development Fund. • Supported implementation phase of ARPA sub-recipient community projects including planning for two new community gardens, providing meals and groceries for low to moderate-income households, support for early childcare provider retention and staff recruitment efforts, planning for a retail business incubator, and a downtown retail strategic plan. • Supported the Town communications goals through work on demystifying the development process and the implementation of the Downtown, Parks and Recreation Community Survey. • Implemented the revamped Town Outdoor Dining Program and Retail Façade Grant Program. Affordable Housing • Supported the New River Home Trust (Community Land Trust) to develop new policies and procedures, a program brand, and to begin construction of 20 new units. • Entered into ARPA agreements with three developers to develop 56 new income restricted rental apartments and 31 new income restricted homeownership opportunities. • Supported the development of the Small Lot Ordinance and policy analysis for three proposed housing developments with affordable housing components. • Supported the design and implementation of the New River Valley Housing Trust fund. CDBG • Transitioned one previous home in the neighborhood stabilization program to a New River Home Trust unit upon resale to ensure its permanent affordability. • Supported public service agencies that provided affordable childcare scholarships and homeless intervention program services to over fifty households. • Supported critical home repair, energy efficiency, and accessibility upgrades to 3 households. • Created a CDBG policies and procedures document to ensure effective compliance. HOME • Successfully led the HOME Consortium through its seventeenth operational year to bring in HUD funding to the New River Valley for LMI housing initiatives. • Closed out the Floyd Townhome project which produced 7 new homeownership opportunities. • Transitioned the Pulaski’s Claremont School redevelopment project into the construction phase, which will provide 6 new HOME units and 50 income restricted units overall. FY 2024-2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Community Connections

• Completed the Legacy on Main project environmental review process. • Began concept development for a new HOME project in Giles County. 115