City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: HELEN S. MCILVAINE, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING
KARL MORITZ, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a City Application through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments for a U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development "Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing" Grant.
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ISSUE: Grant application to support further study of select Zoning for Housing initiatives and Alexandria-specific recommendations of the Regional Fair Housing Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve submission of the proposed City grant application; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to review the grant agreement and execute such documents as required to enable the City to accept the funding for the purposes proposed in the application to Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
BACKGROUND: In late July the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced its "Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing" (PRO Housing) competitive grant program. The $85 million fund seeks to help communities identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. Pursuant to the application, these barriers vary, but may be "caused by zoning decisions, land use policies, or regulations; inefficient procedures; gaps in available resources for development; deteriorating or inadequate infrastructure; lack of neighborhood amenities; or challenges to preserving existing housing stock such as increasing threats from natural hazards, redevelopment that reduces the number of affordable units, or expiration of affordability requirements." In their applications, jurisdictions are asked to describe and respond to the unique barriers in their communities. T...
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