Crime & Safety
Affordable Housing Apartments Open In Fairfax County
The affordable housing building is on Fairfax County Government Center property, although it is privately owned.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- On Monday, June 5, Fairfax County officials, Congressman Gerry Connolly, Del. Mark Keam and private partners celebrated the opening of the Residences at Government Center, a privately-owned affordable apartment community on county property. It is located at 11851 Monument Drive in Fairfax.
Approximately 12 years in the making, the project is a public-private partnership between Fairfax County government, SCG Development and Jefferson Apartment Group.
The building was funded in part by federal 4 and 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The project did not cost anything to taxpayers on the local level. The Fairfax County land was provided through a long-term ground lease.
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The four-story building has 270 units, and less than 20 have yet to be filled. Households with up to 60 percent of the area median income for the DC area are eligible to live there. The latest data shows an average $75,628 income in the DC area. Rents range from just above the mid-$800s for an efficiency apartment, to almost $1,500 for a three bedroom.
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The building features a fitness center, outdoor pool, conference room, outdoor courtyards, playground, community room and parking garage. The building is expected to achieve EarthCraft certification.
"Many of our public and private sector workers commute to their jobs from outside of the county," said Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, at the opening. "By building workforce housing, such as the Residences at Government Center, many young people, entry-level professionals and lower-income residents now have an affordable option for living near where they work."
Bulova noted that over 20 county workers currently live in the units. Dawne Sherman, a mental health counselor for the county, is one of them. "This changed my life," she said. "I don't have have this big commute. I get to live in the county. I get to live near my family, who also lives in the county."
Visit the Residences at Government Center's website for more information.
Images via Patch staff
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