For decades the Murraygate Village Apartments has been a cornerstone for affordable housing community along the historic Richmond Highway Corridor and has provided homes to thousands of low- and middle-income individuals and families over the years. On Sept. 2, 2021, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors celebrated the completion of a renovation/modernization project which has given the 50-year-old community a new lease on life and the promise of serving low-income households for years to come.
From December 2018 to December 2020, the FCRHA and Fairfax County undertook a renovation/modernization project to provide needed upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The project incorporated interior improvements as well, including new appliances, cabinetry, flooring, and refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms. The phased project progressed building-by-building in order to ensure the entire community would not need to be vacated during the construction period. Funding for the project included:
Four percent low-income Housing tax credit equity
Issuance of FCRHA tax-exempt revenue bonds
Short-term FHA loan
$8.9 million in local funding
“This was an extraordinary team effort,” said FCRHA Chairman Melissa McKenna. “From managing the relocations of residents and compiling the financing plan to navigating all the complexities and challenges that come with renovating a 50-year-old building, our project team produced an exceptional result. This work will serve as a model as the FCRHA continues to invest in the ongoing development and preservation of affordable housing in every area of Fairfax County.”
Murraygate Village, a 200-apartment community, are among the nearly 4,000 units of housing which are owned by the FCRHA. Originally built in 1971, the community was acquired by the FCRHA in 1991 to provide dedicated affordable housing to households earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) – or roughly $77,000 or less for a family of four.
“We know many of our neighbors in the Lee District who are employed every day, and some with multiple jobs, who are still unable to afford market rate rents here in Fairfax County,” said Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk. “The ability of individuals to find an affordable, safe and decent place to call home should be a foundational right for everyone, and it is dedicated affordable communities like Murraygate which help make that a reality.”
The preservation of the Murraygate Village Apartments as affordable housing is the latest achievement towards addressing one of Fairfax County’s highest priorities – affordable housing. The FCRHA and the Board of Supervisors are working hand in hand to allocate both financial resources and public land in support of the county’s goal of producing a minimum of 5,000 new affordable housing units by the year 2034 while ensuring “No Net Loss” of the county’s current stock of affordable housing.
“Too many of our neighbors are struggling to provide basic necessities while trying to meet the monthly rent, and too many in our workforce are keeping multiple jobs or spending dozens of hours commuting each week just so they can find a home they can afford to live in,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay. “We cannot be a complete community if the workers who help our communities thrive don’t have that same opportunity to succeed locally.”
As of May 2021, Fairfax County has 1,867 homes created or in the development pipeline since this goal was adopted in 2019. The FCRHA is currently undertaking affordable housing development initiatives in every district in the county.
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A Special Thank you to all our Murraygate Village Partners
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Virginia Housing Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget Moseley Architects Hamel Builders Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
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