Seven Corners Church to sell land for affordable housing for seniors
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| First Christian Church |
First Christian Church of Falls Church is partnering with the
Wesley Housing Development Corporation to construct affordable housing for
seniors on its property at 6165 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners.
Plans are still in the early stages, but the apartment building would have 60 to 90 independent living units for people with incomes below 60 percent of
the area median income, says Wesley President and CEO Sheila Murphy. Some of
the units could be reserved for people with much lower incomes.
the area median income, says Wesley President and CEO Sheila Murphy. Some of
the units could be reserved for people with much lower incomes.
The project would require an amendment to the Fairfax County
Comprehensive Plan, and the land would need to be rezoned, Murphy says. Community
outreach meetings would be scheduled within the next few months.
The plan calls for First Christian to sell a portion of its
land on the south side of the church to Wesley. First Christian would use the proceeds from the land sale
for church activities, but that’s not the motivating factor, says Rev. Steven
Moore.
land on the south side of the church to Wesley. First Christian would use the proceeds from the land sale
for church activities, but that’s not the motivating factor, says Rev. Steven
Moore.
“We see this as an opportunity to serve the community,”
Moore says. “The need is so great for affordable housing in the community,
especially for seniors.”
Moore says. “The need is so great for affordable housing in the community,
especially for seniors.”
Wesley hasn’t determined how the housing would be
subsidized; the company could partner with the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
subsidized; the company could partner with the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
The Culmore Clinic recently moved into First Christian Church.
Great idea, should be fast tracked!!
Wow that's great! There's a real need for that.
Going to make traffic in the area even worse!
Area population is going to grow whether or not this senior housing gets built, so we will always have traffic.
But transportation planners will tell you that seniors don't generate as many trips as many other demographic groups, and that they tend to travel at off-peak times, since they're not commuting around business hours. As things go, this is about the best scenario for creating additional housing while minimizing impacts on transportation infrastructure. (Senior housing also minimizes impact on school infrastructure.)
Are you familiar with the area?
I work about 2 blocks south of this location the traffic can get pretty dicey between Bus stops, Patrick Henry, the high rise apartments and the mosque.
A senior trying to make a left turn won't go well.
Less than 100 units? Most people probably won't notice.
This is welcome turn of events. Affordable Senior Housing is a positive use of this valuable land. Far, far better than putting the homeless shelter there, which is what Supervisor Gross wanted to do.
Many thanks to the congregation at First Christian Church for listening to the Ravenwood Park residents concerns about land use and for deciding on affordable housing for seniors!
The church grounds are a nice green space in that congested area that I will miss.
A good part of the green space will remain.