Virginia

of local government in non-urban parts of the state for projects that address critical community needs, including housing, infrastructure, economic development and telecommunications. The Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA) program encourages homeownership, self employment and continued education by providing training and matched savings for low-income citizens working to become independent.

The Virginia Enterprise Initiative (VEI) helps emerging entrepreneurs advance their business development efforts. Individuals with limited business experience are provided with education and training, and access to small business loans if they are unable to take advantage of traditional capital resources. By partnering with local organizations, DHCD strives for not only better results, but stronger communities as well.

The Affordable Housing Production Program (AHPP) provides below-market-rate loans and deferred loans for the development or creation of affordable accessible housing. Projects that fit the program guidelines include: acquisition when rehabilitation is a component of the project; rehabilitation without acquisition; and new construction of rental projects containing four or more units and congregate housing projects. AHPP funds may also be used as a subsidy layer for the construction of units that will be offered for sale to eligible low-income buyers.

The HOME Ownership Down Payment Assistance Program covers three primary costs associated with the process of purchasing a home, down payments, closing costs (costs and fees that are part of receiving a home loan), and prepaid costs such as the establishment of an escrow account (for future payments of taxes and insurance), which are sometimes the biggest hurdles toward homeownership that homebuyers face.

HOME funding can be used with U.S. Rural Development products and community lending initiatives to address the needs of clients that cannot qualify for financing through VHDA (Virginia Housing Development Authority) or other VHDA-approved lenders.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers four grants to support homeless shelters in Virginia. Eligible applicants are nonprofit and local government providers of emergency shelter and transitional housing for the homeless in Virginia. These funds are not intended to provide “start up” costs and applicants must be active members of their local housing service providers (i.e., members of the Continuum of Care).

State Shelter Grant: The State Shelter Grant (SSG) is comprised of both state

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and federal funds. The goal of the program is to assist homeless families and individuals by providing financial support, technical assistance and training opportunities for local governments and nonprofit agencies that provide services and support through the operation of emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities in Virginia.

Emergency Shelter Grant: This federally funded grant is administered by the

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Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Division of Housing and is available to service providers (shelter and transitional housing providers) in non-entitlement areas. The goal of the program is to assist homeless families and individuals by providing shelter and services at emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Child Care for Homeless Children program and the Child Services

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Coordinator Grant directly impact the family environment at shelters. Together, these programs enrich the lives of children at these facilities by providing service coordinators and making child care affordable for working parents. Eligible applicants are nonprofit and local government providers of emergency shelter and transitional housing for the homeless families with children, including single-parent families.

Child Care for Homeless Children program: Assists homeless families in shelter

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facilities with the cost of child care while working or participating in an educational or job training program.

Child Services Coordinator Grant: Provides salary support for coordinators of

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services for homeless children in shelter facilities

Virginia's set-aside of HOME Investment Partnership Fund (HOME) funds for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO's) is included in this program for CHDO-eligible activities. The program is intended to fill the gap in financing needs for those projects providing affordable rental units to low- and very-low-income tenants. Other programs that can be a resource for housing production and preservation include the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. CHDO set-aside funds provide equity for community-based organizations to undertake projects, build their capacity to serve a broad range of affordable housing needs, and provide guaranteed resources for affordable housing development. A state-certified CHDO is eligible to apply for CHDO Operating Assistance Funds. These funds provide operating support to secure the technical assistance and training necessary for CHDOs to succeed, as well as to provide general operating support during the development of affordable housing projects. This funding support program is intended to assist organizations that can demonstrate a need for operating support.

3) Roles of Nonprofit Organizations

The Virginia Housing Coalition is a nonprofit organization to improve safe and affordable housing, founded in 1981 and dedicated specifically to supporting organizations and individuals working to provide affordable housing options in Virginia. Virginia Housing Coalition is open to all individuals and organizations statewide interested in housing issues. Members include representatives from housing,

community development and homeless advocacy nonprofits, public housing agencies, regional coalitions, financial institutions and corporations, legal and realty firms, community action agencies and interested individuals.

The Central Virginia Housing Coalition (CVHC) is a nonprofit housing organization which offers programs for low to moderate income families so they can get the help they need to buy or stay in their homes. Through education, counseling, access to loans, home repair and maintenance and the other programs, more and more families are able to buy their first home or find affordable housing. CVHC loves providing the joy of homeownership to families who thought they could never afford their own home. CVHC offers programs through a partnership with VHDA and DHCD (Department of Housing and Community Development). Homes are available through partnership development projects or choose a listed home in Planning District 16 (Fredericksburg City, counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline), Orange and Fauquier counties or Culpeper. These programs are for first time homebuyers who meet income eligibility guidelines. They must also qualify for a VHDA loan and attend counseling and educational activities. Through this program, you can have low interest loans and assistance with down payment and closing costs.

CVHC owns single family homes and apartments that are rented at below area market rental rates. Choose from 1-2 bedroom apartments or 2-3 bedrooms homes located in the City of Fredericksburg. Central Virginia Housing Coalition offers a variety of counseling services to community residents. Certified Housing Counselors are on staff to help customers with rental, pre-purchase, debt management or loss mitigation issues. CVHC will spend the time to give them personal attention to their current housing needs and help them develop a plan of action to reach their housing goal.

This 8 hour class is designed to take the mystery out of the home buying process and help first-time homebuyers prepare to make the important choice related to homeownership. This program is required for some loan programs. It will help them

to understand the home buying process and prepare a spending plan. Table 3-11 summarizes characteristics of Virginia low-income housing services.

<Table 3-11> Characteristics of Virginia low-income Housing Service Government

leading agency

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Major Programs

Virginia Community Development Block

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The Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program

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The Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA) program

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The Affordable Housing Production Program

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The HOME Ownership Down Payment Assistance Program

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State Shelter Grant

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Emergency Shelter Grant

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The Child Care for Homeless Children program and the

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Child Services Coordinator Grant

Child Care for Homeless Children program

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Child Services Coordinator Grant

• Leading Nonprofit

Housing

The Virginia Housing Coalition

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The Central Virginia Housing Coalition

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4) Governance Structure

As for the relationships between governmental leading agency and nonprofit housing organizations, not much collaborative partnerships has been developed.

Specifically, regional housing nonprofit organizations were not well coordinated and cooperative. Although The Virginia Housing Coalition has linkages with other housing nonprofits, the linkages seem to be a localized coalition, not a state-wide network.

Figure 3-5 shows a governance structure of low-income housing service in Virginia.

<Figure 3-5> Virginia low-income Housing Governance Structure

6. Implications from Low-Income Housing Delivery Systems in the