City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 1, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Request to Submit a Grant Application to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Housing Affordability Planning Program Grant.
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ISSUE: Application for $60,000 grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments ("COG") Housing Affordability Planning Program (HAPP) Grant funds to support staff assessments regarding the potential feasibility of affordable housing development near City transit hubs.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council authorize the submission of an application to COG for a $60,000 grant of HAPP funds to cover third party costs associated with staff's evaluation of the feasibility of affordable housing development in specific transit-adjacent locations, including recommendations regarding potential future public planning processes.
BACKGROUND: COG is sponsoring a Housing Affordability Planning Program (HAPP) Grant, with funds provided by Amazon, to help local jurisdictions conduct planning efforts focused on developing affordable housing proximate to transit facilities and transit hubs. The program potentially supports an initiative between Amazon and WMATA to incorporate affordable housing development as part of joint development agreements at area metro station sites, and also help fulfill a goal of the COG Regional Housing Initiative to locate 75% of new affordable and workforce housing units near transit. COG's HAPP offers up to $75,000 in grant funds to local jurisdictions to support planning efforts that may contribute to an increase in affordable housing proximate to transit facilities and transit hubs. The Office of Housing submitted a letter expressing its preliminary intent to seek grant funds in early February (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION: I...
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