Summary of Housing Programs
Community Development Block Grant
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Housing & Community Resource Center
RPJ Housing “Rehab Program”
Spot Blight Abatement
Community Development Block Grant
Purpose: The primary objective of the CDBG Program is the development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.
Serves: City Residents
Description: Funds must be used to carry out activities that will meet one of the three broad National Objectives: benefit low and moderate income persons; aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or meet other community development needs having a particular urgency. At least 70 percent of the total CDBG funds expended must be used for activities that benefit low and moderate income persons, over a one-year period.
Contact Person: Anne Lewis - Assistant City Manager / Interim Neighborhood Revitalization Director
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Housing Choice Voucher Program
Purpose: The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides low-income families with decent, safe, and sanitary housing and prices that they can afford.
Serves: Individuals living and/or working in the City of Winchester, as well as, residents in other localities.
Description: The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a City of Winchester program. The Virginia Housing Development Authority contracts with the city to administer this program. When a tenant has a voucher, a portion of the rent is subsidized by the HCVP. The tenant pays no more than 30-40% of their own income, and the program pays the difference.
***If you are a landlord who is interested in securing a guaranteed monthly rental payment, please click here.
Contact Persons:
(Last name A-J) Jean Ford
(Last name K-Z) Sherry Richards
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Housing & Community Resource Center
Purpose: The Resource Center Serves two major functions: office and meeting space for community organizations, and a resource library for best practices and community problem solving techniques. In addition, The HCRC will serve as a forum for the exchange of new ideas through trainings, workshops, and roundtables.
Serves: All non-profits and/or City residents
Description: In March 2006, First Bank of Winchester awarded funding to our office to assist in the creation of the Housing and Community Resource Center. These funds have been used to purchase office equipment and training materials for area citizens and nonprofits interested in housing and neighborhood issues. Materials in the Resource Center are available to the public to review and check out.
Contact Person: Pamela Beamer
RPJ Housing “Rehab Program”
Purpose: To ensure that homeowners and household members are able to live safely and independently in their homes.
Serves: Any eligible individual living and owning a home in City limits
Description: The City of Winchester offers a variety of home repair services to low and moderate income owners of single-family houses. These repair services may help maintain the health and safety of the occupants. Eligible repairs may also be those that preserve the dwelling or conserve energy to reduce heating costs through weatherization.
Contact Person:Winston Foley
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Spot Blight Abatement
Purpose: To address properties in neighborhoods throughout the City in need of repairs or more extensive attention to remove blighting influences.
Serves: All properties located within City limits
Description: City code states that a “blighted property” is one that “endangers the public’s health, safety, or welfare because the structure or improvement upon the property is dilapidated, deteriorated, or violates minimum health and safety standards…” The Spot Blight Abatement program identifies condemned, vacant or unsafe properties which can be rehabilitated or refurbished in order to improve neighborhood safety.
Contact Persons: Anne Lewis - Assistant City Manager / Interim Neighborhood Revitalization Director