Housing Updates

April 2024 marks the 56th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act that made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability and familial status. 

Regional Fair Housing Plan

Loudoun County and seven other area jurisdictions developed a Regional Fair Housing Plan and submitted the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in January 2024. The collaboration among the members of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments marks the first time in 25 years that local jurisdictions have joined together on a similar effort. 

The plan includes an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice across the region and provides strategies to increase access to safe and affordable housing, increase investment and resources in priority areas, and create more inclusive communities. 

Victim of Housing Discrimination?

If you believe you have been the victim of housing discrimination:

• Contact the Virginia Fair Housing Office at 1-888-551-3247, Virginia Relay 7-1-1 (TDD) or by email.
• File a complaint through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 1-800-669-9777 or online. 

 Learn more about Loudoun County’s commitment to fair housing at loudoun.gov/fairhousing. 

# # #

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development invites residents to provide comments on a draft plan that identifies and addresses the county’s housing and community development needs. The public comment period for the draft Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Annual Action Plan is open through April 10, 2024. Residents are also encouraged to attend or view the Board of Supervisors public hearing on April 10 to learn more about the plan and provide feedback to the Board.

Annual Action Plan

The Annual Action Plan outlines Loudoun County’s housing and community development needs, priorities and objectives and proposed uses of federal funds for the upcoming program year. Components of the FY 2025 Annual Action Plan include descriptions of:

• Activities to be undertaken.
• Geographic distribution of investment.
• Federal and other resources expected to be available.
• Leveraging of resources and how match obligations will be met.
• Planned homelessness prevention and other special needs activities.

Loudoun County is required to submit the Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 16, 2024, in order to receive funds for CDBG and HOME.  

The draft Annual Action Plan is available online at loudoun.gov/cdbg. Copies of the proposed Annual Action Plan are also available for review at two locations from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday:

• Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg
• Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg

Public Comment Period

The public comment period is open through April 10, 2024. To submit comments:

• Email CDBG Program Manager Johnette Powell. 
• Mail: Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177, Attn: CDBG Program Manager - Johnette Powell

For information on how to provide comments at the Board of Supervisors’ April 10, 2024, public hearing, visit loudoun.gov/signuptospeak.

# # #

Loudoun County encourages community members to attend the 14th annual Northern Virginia Housing Expo on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Charles Colgan High School, 13833 Dumfries Road in Manassas. 

Anyone looking for an affordable place to live in Northern Virginia is encouraged to visit the expo, which will showcase both homeownership and rental opportunities and resources throughout the region. 

The free event will feature workshops, an exhibit hall and one-on-one financial coaching sessions. Staff from the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development will participate in a panel to share information on Loudoun County programs for first-time homebuyers. Other workshop topics include credit scores, senior housing, reverse mortgages, household budgeting and a home sale market overview. 

The expo is a cooperative effort of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties; the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Manassas Park; Virginia Housing; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (District of Columbia/National Capital Area Office); Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®; and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Details about the event as well as a year-round virtual exhibit hall are available at novahousingexpo.org.

For additional resources for homebuyers and renters in Loudoun County, and general information on Loudoun County affordable housing programs and resources, visit loudoun.gov/housing.

# # #