DAAR Weighs in on the Benefit of Additional Staff to Support Housing Programs

The FY 2019 Proposed Budget for Loudoun County includes funding for additional staff resources to address one of the most critical needs in Loudoun County – how to provide housing that is affordable. DAAR is pleased to see the inclusion of proposed funds for this purpose.

County staff requested funding for five new staff positions to focus on addressing the gap between the average home cost and the average wage in Loudoun County. Four of the five will be housed in a new Housing Policy Unit in the Family Services Department and one will be housed in the County Attorney’s office. The four positions are a Housing Financier, a Program Manager, a Real Estate Specialist, and a Housing Accountant. A dedicated housing attorney will support the new unit with legal expertise on land development negotiations.

On March 8, 2018, the Board of Supervisors had an opportunity to ask questions of County staff and take a “straw poll” on whether they will support the budget request. They decided to only fund two of the Housing positions. They also agreed to fund the legal position.

DAAR believes funding a full team of professionals will be the definitive step needed to increase the availability of housing choices and address the needs of our workforce.

There is still time to let your voice be heard.

  • Leave a message on the Board of Supervisors’ Comment Line at 703-777-0115.
  • Send an email or write to the Board of Supervisors, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177.
  • Provide comments through the Loudoun County government’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

The FY2019 proposed budget and other budget information is available at https://www.loudoun.gov/budget.

Budget Work Sessions
The Board of Supervisors has scheduled budget work sessions for:

  • Monday, March 12, 6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 15, 6:00 p.m.
  • Monday, March 19, 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 21, 6:00 p.m.

If Needed Budget Work Sessions

  • Saturday, March 17, 9:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, March 24, 9:00 a.m.

Questions: Contact Brenda Morton, Government Affairs and Communications Manager, at (703) 777-2468 or bmorton@dullesarea.com.