F.C. Housing Group Annual Meeting Focuses on Affordable Housing Need

Falls Church Housing Corporation hosted its annual membership meeting last Thursday attended by 50 of the 134 local citizens who have paid membership dues to FCHC this year.

Susan Maynard, FCHC president, introduced Conrad Egan of the National Housing Conference and volunteer chair of Fairfax County Housing and Community Development Authority. He, in turn, recognized three FCHC Board members, Bob Wilden, Don Campbell and Larry McNickle, as important figures on the national housing scene who have contributed their expertise to initiate and shepherd programs, such as the "HOME" funds and “202” assisted senior living projects that are key to the production of affordable housing throughout the U.S.FCHC is fortunate, he said, to have such members active in its organization.

Egan struck the theme of the program: What challenges do communities face to keep a balance of housing for local employees who are invaluable to community needs? He gave the bad news first—federal dollars are shrinking and, over time, will become incentive seed money programs at best. He followed with the better news that local governments are waking up to the responsibility to provide housing that is affordable to vital segments of their populations, including current residents who want to remain and local employees who are vital to the local economy and infrastructure. Egan said that in the last year there was a 67% increase in the number of families who pay more than 50% for their housing costs in the U.S.

In the case of the City of Falls Church, Carol Jackson, FCHC Executive Director, introduced two speakers who provided real life examples of employees working today in the city. Mitzi Freeberg, director of human resources for the public school system, said the first question invariably asked by a teacher interviewee is “Where will I live in Falls Church?” She said she has no good answers.Of the 39 teachers hired this year, 38 do not live in the City.

A similar example came from Steve Meek, comptroller for Koons Ford and Koons Dodge at 7 Corners, one of the largest employers in the City. According to Meek, of his 240 employees, fewer than 10% live in Falls Church or Arlington. Many live in outlying Fairfax County areas and many in places like Stafford County, Lovettsville, Front Royal, and Waldorf, where the commutes are over an hour.