The Fairfax County Affordable Housing Development Division is seeking federal funding to address disrepair and rising maintenance costs in its eight mobile home communities. The county is applying for a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s new Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement Competition, which has a total of $235 million in awards. The mobile home communities provide an affordable housing option in the county, where a family of four requires an income of over $150,000 to live comfortably.
There are about 1,800 homes in the mobile home communities, and residents are concerned about rising lot rental costs. Infrastructure improvements, updating roads and sewers, and studying the affordability of the communities are some areas where the federal funding could be used. Additionally, there is a need to replace aging units as nearly half of them do not meet federal standards. The cost of repairing and refurbishing the units may be more expensive than replacing them, with an opportunity for families to apply for funds to replace their homes.
Residents also fear the sale of mobile home sites, as land parcels in the county are becoming increasingly scarce and valuable. HB 1397, recently passed in the Virginia statehouse, raised relocation fees for mobile home park residents, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a provision that would have granted localities the first right of refusal if a mobile home site is offered for sale. Community members are concerned about the potential sale of the mobile home communities, as many have been living there for years and may not be able to afford to move elsewhere.
Public feedback on the grant application is being sought, and a public hearing is scheduled for May 21 where community members can weigh in or sign up to speak. The funds could be used to replace aging units, make infrastructure improvements, and study the affordability of the mobile home communities. Mobile home residents, like Toby Malow, value the sense of community in the neighborhoods and are hopeful that the funding will help address their concerns about rising costs and potential sale of the properties. The Fairfax County Affordable Housing Development Division is working to protect the mobile home communities and ensure that residents have access to affordable housing options in the county.
