The Office of Housing would like to share updates on two initiatives currently underway in Loudoun County – The Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (UHNSP) and the Regional Housing Equity Plan.
Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan
The Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (UHNSP) is a key implementation step of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the UHNSP is to define how the county will address unmet housing needs in a systematic and comprehensive way with integrated programs. The final draft of the UHNSP was presented at the Board of Supervisors public hearing on May 12, 2021. At the May 12 public hearing, the Board of Supervisors referred the UHNSP to the Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC) for further consideration. The UHNSP is now expected to return to the September 7 Board of Supervisors Business Meeting for final consideration.
Regional Housing Equity Plan
Loudoun County is one of seven participating jurisdictions that are working collaboratively to develop a Regional Housing Equity Plan, also known as the Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice or “AI.” The Regional AI process is being coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations require localities that receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to prepare a Fair Housing Plan. In the past, each individual jurisdiction submitted a plan. The Regional Housing Equity Plan aims to increase collaboration, innovation, and effectiveness of strategies throughout the metropolitan area. It is expected to be completed in 2022.
Community engagement for the Regional Housing Equity Plan is underway. Three virtual workshops are being offered in July on the topic of Housing, Equity, and Race: Fair Housing in the DMV Region. These workshops are free and open to the public. They will engage participants in discussion on the intersection of housing, transportation, environment, and race and will help inform the Regional AI.
The Loudoun County Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan and Regional Housing Equity Plan are separate projects with unique targets and lenses and different implementation timelines. The projects will, however, enhance one another as both work towards the goal of ensuring attainable, quality housing for all of Loudoun’s community members.