City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 21, 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
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Consideration of an Application for Community Impact Grant Funding from Virginia Housing to Enhance Culturally Competent Outreach and Engagement in the Alexandria West Plan Area.
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ISSUE: Grant funding of up to $130,000 from Virginia Housing (VH) to support the City's community engagement and planning efforts related to the Alexandria West Small Area Plan ("Plan").
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the City's application to Virginia Housing for Community Impact Grant Funding of up to $130,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the grant application and such documents as may be necessary to document support for the City's Community Impact Grant application to Virginia Housing for the Alexandria West planning process.
BACKGROUND: The City launched a small area planning process for the Alexandria West section of the City in mid-November 2022 (Attachment 1). Alexandria West is a large geographic area and includes nearly 20% of all of the City's residential units, including many multifamily complexes (both apartments and condominiums). The area is home to a very diverse population, including many immigrant households and households with limited English proficiency (Attachment 2). As part of the Plan launch, a community poll was widely distributed, with many responses identifying housing as a chief concern (affordability, security, cost, redevelopment/displacement, building conditions, landlord-tenant issues, aging-in-place, and affordable homeownership options).
To ensure that the City has resources to amplify its engagement and outreach efforts, Planning and Zoning (PZ) and Housing staff have submitted a gra...
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