Legal uncertainty of Arlington’s Lost Middle policy, Other housing ventures planned.

Members of the county government’s Housing Commission on November 7 briefing given on new proposals by county staff to address housing affordability and diversify the county’s housing stock.

These include: A direct partnership that provides financial incentives to developers who find creative solutions to bring more housing.

Caitlin Jones, a member of the housing staff at the government’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, said the effort, which is being reviewed in anticipation of further consideration by the County Board, is designed to offer “a wide range of different development opportunities.” .

The government’s housing co-ordinator, Richard Tucker, said there was no predetermined outcome other than “asking developers to shoot us their ideas”.

“We’ll have to wait and see what we get in the end,” he said.

However, the latest situation complicates this effort. judicial decision It would override parts of Arlington’s Missing Middle/Expanded Housing Options policy, which had previously allowed more housing to be placed on single-home lots.

County government leaders plan to appeal, but it’s a lengthy process with an uncertain outcome. Retired District Court Judge David SchellWho made the decision? clearly warned Developers in the construction process Missing Middle policy If they go forward and his decision is approved, he said, they or subsequent property owners may be forced to demolish the structures.

The uncertainty will discourage developers who may want to partner with the county government on future efforts through the Missing Middle development authority.

“Obviously that’s not going to be an option for us in the short term,” Tucker said.

“It will be difficult for contractors to work with the zoning in its current form,” he said at the commission meeting. “Identifying sites suitable for multiple units will require some creativity or some legwork.”

One part of the overall staff proposal that will not be affected by Missing Middle’s uncertainty is a plan to restore loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners who need to renovate their homes but lack the financial resources.

Jones said such an initiative was in effect until about 2017. He said the planned revival would not be the same, but rather a “phased approach.”

While there will be more detail to come, the package given to the Housing Commission envisages three options for homeowners seeking support:

• Up to $45,000 per unit for major repairs and accessibility improvements on properties owned by those making less than 60% to 80% of the area median income. The loans will accrue interest at a rate of 1% to 3% per year for 30 years, but repayment will be deferred until a property is sold.
• Also up to $45,000 per unit for major repairs or accessibility improvements on properties owned by those earning less than 60% of the median income or what county officials call “priority communities.” No interest will be charged, repayment will be deferred for up to 30 years, and loans may be forgiven in some cases.
• For accessory dwelling properties or condominium properties up to $20,000 per unit, no interest is charged and repayment is deferred until sale. The loan may be forgiven in some cases. Funds could potentially be used to pay special assessments imposed by condominium associations for major capital repairs.

In addition to engaging individual homeowners, county staff say this effort could target specific neighborhoods with high rates of aging housing stock.

Jones said “additional discussion” is planned to refine what the program will look like.

County officials are hopeful that grant funding could provide seed money for the effort, as trying to push new initiatives toward the county officials project in what will be a tough budget year could be problematic.

“We’re hoping we’ll get funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — we’ll see how things go,” Tucker said.

Otherwise, he said, “all of these recommendations can be considered as part of the county’s normal budget process.”

The government in Arlington is currently number of support systems For tenants, homeowners and aspiring homeowners.