The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission has announced $1.66 million in award offers to provide gap funding to affordable housing developers across the region. These grant funds were made possible through Virginia Housing’s PDC Housing Development Program, a pilot program that supports regional affordable housing initiatives. The funds will assist in the construction of 60 new units of affordable housing in the region, including 35 units for homeownership and 25 for rental. Gap funding was offered to 7 applicants representing 4 localities; Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Rockbridge County. All units supported by the PDC Housing Development Program are expected to be move-in ready by July 1, 2024.

The CSPDC selected the following projects to receive funding:

The selected projects will support a variety of income levels ranging from 0-80% of the region’s median income. Among the selected projects are two permanent supportive housing projects that will support those experiencing chronic homelessness and other vulnerable populations. Says Sam Nickels of our Community Place in Harrisonburg, “these monies will cover half the cost for Our Community Place to build two efficiency apartments for the most vulnerable and low-income homeless persons in our region. The funds are part of a program to provide permanent supportive housing that includes case management to help people stay housed and not return to homelessness. Our Community Place is so appreciative to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission for this affordable housing grant.”

The program will also provide financial support to all three of the region’s Habitat for Humanity organizations. Lynne Johnson, Executive Director of Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity, says that the grant funds will allow the organization to get families into their homes sooner. “With this funding award, our construction crew can get back on track with our building timeline, which COVID derailed by precipitating volunteer shortages and building material scarcity. Cost increases of materials have also affected the affordability of the houses we build. With this grant, Habitat’s family partners will be able to occupy their homes sooner and the mortgages will remain affordable, and we can continue our vital mission to build homes, community, and hope.”

“The CSPDC is grateful to our partners at Virginia Housing for offering the opportunity to expand affordable housing options in our region,” says Frank Friedman, CSPDC Commission Chair. “We look forward to seeing the results of these grants in supporting our local and regional affordable housing providers as they advance these impactful, timely, and life changing projects.”

For more information regarding the PDC Housing Development Program and other housing-related initiatives at the CSPDC, visit our Housing landing page: https://www.cspdc.org/programs-services/housing/.

 About the CSPDC

 Created in 1969, the CSPDC represents and serves the local governments of Augusta, Bath, Highland Rockbridge and Rockingham counties, and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro as well as the 11 towns within the Central Shenandoah region. The CSPDC works with its member jurisdictions, communities and agencies to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation of services that address local, regional and state needs in an innovative, timely and cooperative manner. Covering everything from land use planning, transportation, water and waste-water utilities, natural resource management, affordable housing, economic and community development, disaster mitigation and preparedness, agritourism to human services, the CSPDC is an invaluable asset and resource to the region.

Check out the new Stormwater Toolkit developed by the Central Shenandoah PDC for the Chesapeake Bay WIP program.  This toolkit  (please click link) provides resources for stormwater runoff management, including best practices, helpful links, and educational activities. We hope this will be a useful document for our localities and local watershed organizations.