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Coan Pond Residences
Fairfax, Virginia

Fairfax County, Virginia, is an affluent Washington, D.C., suburb with more than 850,000 residents. During the past two decades, the county has experienced tremendous employment growth; however, high housing costs make it very difficult for low- and moderate-income single workers to find affordable housing. In 1994, the average rent for an efficiency unit in Fairfax County was $562; the average one-bedroom unit cost $697. Most affordable housing programs have focused on the needs of families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Consistent with the local Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) determined that there was a strong need to develop appropriate housing for single workers with low and moderate incomes. The Authority had planned to construct new units; however, in 1991, as a result of a local glut of office space, FCRHA was able to purchase a building from the Resolution Trust Corporation for approximately 50 percent of its assessed value.

The building, located in an office park near a variety of employment opportunities, would accommodate new offices for the Authority as well as 20 units of affordable SRO housing. Before beginning development, FCRHA staff met with property owners, management agents, and businesses in the office park to tell them about the project, assure them of its high quality, and answer any questions. As part of the marketing effort for Coan Pond Residences, neighboring businesses also were provided with information to distribute to employees who might be eligible for and interested in the units.

The total development cost for the project was $1,004,464, which included all design and construction costs for 20 units and the common areas, as well as a prorated portion of the building acquisition cost. The project was funded through a combination of HOME funds and a Section 108 loan, which would be repaid from future CDBG allocations. Fairfax County is a participating jurisdiction under the HOME program as well as a CDBG entitlement community. Because of the availability of these funds, the units are affordable to persons with annual incomes as low as $13,796, without the need for any additional rental assistance.

Development of the units began in June 1992, and the project was completed in March 1993. Each of the furnished units has approximately 200 square feet. Unlike many SROs, each unit has a full bath with shower and a kitchenette with cooktop, microwave oven, sink, refrigerator, and cabinets. A table and two chairs and a bed with storage drawer are provided. Each unit also has a phone with free local phone service, and a public phone is available for long-distance calls. Residents have access to laundry facilities and two lounges. All utilities are included in the biweekly rent of $168.

Since it opened in 1993, Coan Pond Residences has been fully occupied. The turnover rate is lower than expected, averaging one to two moveouts per month, which indicates the residents' satisfaction with the units and the continued difficulty experienced by this income group in finding affordable housing.

Coan Pond Residences is an important effort to provide affordable housing for an underserved group, as well as an innovative approach to mixed-use development. In less than three years, the project has provided homes to 39 working persons without the need for any additional subsidy by the local government or the housing authority. HOME funds played a critical role in the development of Coan Pond Residences. Because these funds were available for a substantial portion of the development costs, the affordability of the units was ensured. The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority has achieved a significant success in providing much-needed affordable housing in a costly locale.

Contact: Kristina Norvell, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development, 703/246-5104

Copyright 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000
Affordable Housing and HOME
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
630 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-3736
Telephone: (202) 289-3500
Fax: (202) 289-4949