As everyone probably knows, we have made significant progress on Manassas Next. The Council and Mayor have been very supportive of the initiative and I appreciate it!! We had a Land Use/Economic Development committee meeting last week and the housing part of the Manassas Next plan came up for discussion.
The City Staff and the Manassas Housing Trust Fund have come up with a good plan to help City employees buy their first homes from the available pool of bank-owned and foreclosed properties currently available. They have proposed that the City set aside up to $625k for down payment assistance. In addition, staff applied for and received funding from the VDHA to the tune of $3 million bucks to provide below market financing. If lots of folks want the details, I’ll scan it and link it.
Overall this is good news. The entire matter needs to go through the finance committee to get their input but I am really happy that the idea seems to be moving along. Seeing progress like this is truly humbling.
July 8, 2008 at 10:18 am
“What is propose is to use a facility like the MHTF to help fund workforce housing for City Employees.”
Is MHTF being expanded to being available to more than just City employees?
July 8, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Andy- How would this work in distribution? Based on an income level? I’ve often heard at council meetings reasons why we cannot attract good teachers is due to no affordable housing. Let’s be hopeful for a good outcome!
July 8, 2008 at 8:26 pm
All that is fine, but what about the “Sign” and the other problems caused by illegals and illegal immigration. The City Council cannot simply move onto other issues with the hope the illegal alien issue goes away on its own.
Also, why can’t the City find the money and the determination to fix the problem at Lake Manassas so that the lake once again can be used by the community. I’ve not heard of a local jurisdiction that has restricted their reservoirs over terrorism concern like the City has.
Though, I suppose all those that would otherwise fish in Lake Manassas will just continue to take their money and spend it in other Counties rather then spend it in the City or at the facility that should be open on the lake.
July 9, 2008 at 8:30 am
The MHTF has always been available to all citizens. This is simply an extension of existing functionality. I’ll try to find the particulars and link them in.