Projects

Over the past 30 years Catholics for Housing has worked to increase affordable housing opportunities in the Northern Virginia area. In support of that goal, dreams have come true for many, as a result of the vision, efforts, partnering of CFH and through the heartfelt gifts of CFH supporters.

CFH affordable rental and homeownership opportunities are making a difference throughout the area called the Diocese of Arlington.

CFH continues to work on new and exciting ventures and opportunities to increase affordable housing through utilization of surplus housing and innovative thinking.

Rentals:       

The Grove at Arlington -

7 affordable rental condominium units designated as Community Benefit Units (CBU)

Briarcliff Town Homes -
30 unit townhome styled affordable rental apartments.

Homeownership:  

Linton Hall Manor -

19 new affordable townhomes sold to Prince William County workforce; police, public and private school teachers, fire and rescue techs, etc.
                          

Fredericksburg -

2 new affordable townhomes to be sold to Fredericksburg workforce.

King George -

In its initial stages to create 14 new affordable workforce townhomes.
                        

Southbridge -

33 new affordable townhomes sold to first-time home buyers.

Collaborative Program Efforts: 

Castellani Meadows Town Homes -

Collaborative effort with Fairfax County; affordable townhomes.

Hatfield Square -

Formerly owned by CFH. This transitional unit provided housing opportunities for homeless families.                                                     

  The Grove at Arlington

Located at 2465 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA, The Grove at Arlington is a 190 unit condominium conversion project that began as a rental project in 2003. 

Included in the project are seven (7) units designated by Arlington County as community benefit units (CBU).  These units have income and rental restrictions requiring their rental to persons between 50-60% of area median income.  CFH acquired these seven units in March 2008 and, at present, will continue to rent them as CBU units.

Briarcliff Town Homes

 

Catholics for Housing was the managing general partner of this federally assisted complex of 30 townhome-styled apartments located in Vienna, Virginia since its construction over twenty years ago. In May 2002, CFH in partnership with National Housing Trust (the new managing general partners) purchased Briarcliff. The tenant population is predominantly comprised of large related low-income rental households. Throughout the last decade major rehabilitation and renovation work was accomplished at CFH's insistence, including: replacement of the roof replacement of exterior siding replacement of the HVAC systems replacement of refrigerators and other major appliances replacement of exterior doors installation of privacy privacy fences installation of two playgrounds  maintenance of a basketball court, and so on  In addition to the above renovations, one unit has been made almost totally accessible for a disabled tenant due to CFH's intervention.

  Linton Hall Manor

Catholics for Housing's most recent affordable homeownership initiative supports 19 town homes in a community that includes 23 single-family detached market rate homes located on 14.4  in Bristow, Virginia that was purchased from the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia. To honor the contribution of the Benedictine Sisters, the street on which the 19 affordable town homes were built was named Benedictine Way.

Linton Hall Manor required many partnerships: acquisition and rezoning required assistance of Angler Construction completed the public improvements and site development: Chevy Chase Bank provided the construction financing; Prince William County provided support; and the finished lots were sold to NV Homes who constructed and sold the market-rate single family detached homes.

CFH qualified 32 potential homeowners for the 19 affordable units. On February 14, 2007, a lottery was held to determine the order in which eligible applicants would have the opportunity to negotiate a sales contract. The groundbreaking and dedication of Benedictine Way was held on April 18, 2007, and work began immediately thereafter to construct the town homes for the new homeowners.

Linton Hall Manor began taking occupancy in August 2007, with the final homeowner closing early October 2007. The 19 new affordable townhome owners are Prince William County workforce; police, public and private school teachers, fire and rescue techs, etc. CFH was privileged to work with the new homeowners and received cards and letters acknowledging the wonderful opportunity they received. One called the opportunity priceless; one called the opportunity to own a home a gift from God; several repeatedly expressed their appreciation to the Catholics for Housing family that made Linton Hall Manor a reality.

Fredericksburg

Catholics for Housing is nearing completion of two (2) new, affordable units to be sold to Fredericksburg, VA workforce; teachers, police, fire and rescue techs, etc.

King George County

Catholics for Housing is in the initial stages of the creation of 14 new affordable workforce housing for county employees in King George County, east of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

In 1999, Catholics for Housing successfully completed an affordable housing development project at Southbridge, located in Prince William County. Catholics for Housing, in partnership with Drees Homes, developed, built, and sold thirty-three new town homes to qualified first time low and moderate income purchasers within eighteen months of acquiring the property. The last closing took place in March of 2000.

CFH provided homeownership counseling to prospective buyers. This homeownership initiative also included affordable mortgage financing developed by CFH with Countrywide Loan, and federal HOME funds to further subsidize down payment and closing costs for low income households provided through Prince William County's Office of Housing and Development. CFH staff time to develop and implement this project was funded through a grant from the Franciscan Order, and area churches provided other volunteer, logistical, and monetary support. This multi-partner collaborative effort was selected as a HUD Best Practices finalist at the Department's Technical Symposium in July 1999.

Castellani Meadows Town Homes

In 1998-99, CFH participated, in collaboration with Fairfax County, in the development and construction of twenty-four affordable rental town homes known as the Castellani Meadows project in Centreville. Pursuant to a its participation agreement with the County, CFH prepared and submitted the successful tax credit application for the project and actively participated in project planning and construction progress meetings. In addition to monitoring and inspecting the project, and representing the interests of prospective tenants at progress meetings, CFH leveraged donations and grants to provide landscaping, playground equipment, and 24 washer-dryer units for the project. The town homes were completed in one year, and were leased up to qualified moderate-income households within a month of the end of construction.

 Hatfield Square

Catholics for Housing purchased this 3 level, end-unit town home with the assistance of federal CDBG funding in 1992.  CFH maintains the property while another local nonprofit, Homestretch, Inc., provides a transitional housing program on site that provides shelter and support services to a formerly homeless family for up to two years to assist the family in regaining their independence.  Throughout the years, CFH has been privileged to work with volunteers from Marymount University, St. Mary's of Fairfax Knights of Columbus and the St. Charles Borromeo Youth Group to maintain this property and keep costs at a minimum.

CFH sold this property at below market value to Homestretch as a more efficient way to maintain the current program and retain the unit as affordable housing.  CFH proceeds from the sale will be invested in resident services at other CFH locations.

CFH is committed to accountability and transparency in all its community operations and services.  Financial information may be reviewed by clicking on Guidestar.