County expands eligibility for affordable homeownership

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment to lower the eligibility threshold for the county’s affordable homeownership program.

Under the new eligibility criteria, households can qualify if they have incomes up to 70 to 100 percent of the 2024 area median income. The previous income threshold was up to 80 to 120 percent of AMI.

That change, approved by the board on July 16, is expected to make homeownership accessible to more lower-income residents, including larger families. The changes were recommended by the Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) For-Sale Policy Task Force.

The adjustment makes affordable homeownership accessible to individuals earning up to $108,000. A family of four can have a household income up to $155,000.

The amendment also expands guidelines for the proportionality of bedroom counts, allowing flexibility for family-sized units.

It also extends the policy’s geographic applicability to properties outside designated development centers.

The WDU program provides incentives to developers to include affordable units in exchange for the potential to build more market-rate units.

According to the county, the amendment supports One Fairfax, the county’s equity policy goal of creating a full spectrum of housing opportunities.

It also aligns with Fairfax County’s Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan, which highlights the broad benefits of affordable housing, including better educational and health outcomes, increased economic mobility, and reduced traffic congestion.