The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) works in partnership to make Virginia’s communities safe, affordable, and prosperous places in which to live, work and do business.

To build better communities through collaboration, communication and innovation.

Customer Prioritization: Give priority to projects that have the strongest and most direct link to meeting the needs of low- and moderate-income customers.

Maximize Collaboration: Maximize collaboration within the agency and foster partnership opportunities with other federal, state and local agencies, governments and communities.

Diversity: Value both a diverse community and workforce.

Employee Recognition: Recognize our employees as our most important resource, and provide incentives and rewards to employees who consistently develop and apply new knowledge, skills and abilities.

Professional Development: Promote professional growth for our staff members and partners through training and education opportunities that will increase our ability to better serve Virginia’s communities.

Professionalism: Provide services in a manner that embodies responsiveness, friendliness, delivery on commitment, timeliness, reliability and professionalism.

Optimize Technology: Optimize the use of technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency in accomplishing its mission.

Value Input: Value input and responses from communities and customers when designing and evaluating programs and services.

Customer Service: Strive to provide a high level of customer service and satisfaction for both internal and external customers.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is committed to creating safe, affordable, connected and prosperous communities in which to live, work and do business in Virginia. To do so, DHCD works in partnership with state, federal, local, private, and nonprofit entities to create and maintain vibrant communities.

DHCD’s priorities include universal broadband access, economic development initiatives, the affordability and efficiency of Virginia’s homes and buildings, homelessness, the reduction of eviction rates across the state and innovative solutions to create affordable housing, as well as promulgating the statewide building and fire regulations. By partnering with stakeholders, local governments, nonprofit groups, the private sector, state and federal agencies, and others, DHCD is working to improve the quality of life for Virginians.

Housing Assistance: 

The agency recognizes that safe and affordable housing is a critical component of a comprehensive approach to economic and community development.  DHCD collaborates with community partners to reduce the impact of homelessness on individuals and families, and ensure that homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. These investments emphasize housing stabilization and rapid-rehousing, creating linkages to community resources and mainstream benefits and helping clients develop a plan for preventing future housing instability. DHCD also supports efforts that target special needs populations, seeking to provide more integrated, community housing options for persons with serious mental illness and persons with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.

In addition to homelessness services, DHCD also supports programs to assist in persevering and increasing affordable housing supply throughout Virginia. The agency works in partnership to provide low interest financing options for housing construction. Furthermore, DHCD provides programs to facilitate the provision of sufficient repairs and improvements to home heating and cooling systems, indoor plumbing, and other energy efficiency upgrades to housing. 

Economic & Community Development:

DHCD invests millions each year into economic and community development projects throughout the state. The agency's economic development projects promote the benefits that come through regional collaboration, including stimulating job creation, encouraging economic diversity, and increasing economic competitiveness throughout the state.  This strategic investment of financial and technical resources fosters an environment that attracts private sector development and investment in communities. especially in economically distressed areas.

In addition to economic development, DHCD implements comprehensive community revitalization strategies to improve the quality of life for Virginia’s citizens. DHCD works collaboratively with various partner agencies, organizations and localities with a shared goal of strengthening local economies. The Department focuses on enhancing small business and entrepreneurial development, incorporating community assets into revitalization strategies, strengthening downtowns and commercial corridors through various redevelopment activities that often include infrastructure enhancements, commercial and residential blight removal, and mixed-use reconstruction.

Broadband: 

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Broadband partners with local governments and internet service providers through multiple programs to ensure Virginians have access to broadband infrastructure. To date, VATI has invested nearly $800 million to connect approximately 358,000 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in the Commonwealth. These investments have leveraged an additional $1.1 billion in funds from units of local government and private sector broadband providers, producing a total investment in the Commonwealth of $1.9 billion. These investments are helping 75 counties and cities reach functionally universal broadband access.

As a product of this work, Virginia remains on track to obligate funding for functional universal broadband access by 2024. By this definition, every Virginia home, business and community anchor that can be reached through a cost-effective solution will be included in a project area for expanding broadband infrastructure to include these locations.

Building Code: 

DHCD also promulgates Virginia’s building and fire codes and provides training and certification for building officials in Virginia. These codes strive to strike a reasonable balance between building affordability and safety. The Uniform Statewide Building Code enhances the state’s overall business climate, supporting economic development initiatives that encourage business expansion or relocation. The open and consensus-oriented code development process and the absence of local amendments remove potential barriers to private investment.

Intergovernmental Collaboration 

Through the activities of the Commission on Local Government (CLG), DHCD promotes the viability of Virginia’s local governments by fostering positive intergovernmental relations through activities such as reviewing boundary change and governmental transition actions; providing technical assistance to local governments and citizens; and estimating the cost of local mandates and calculating fiscal stress.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is committed to creating safe, affordable, connected and prosperous communities in which to live, work and do business in Virginia. To do so, DHCD works in partnership with state, federal, local, private, and nonprofit entities to create and maintain vibrant communities. Below are some recent actions taken by DHCD to bolster housing, strengthen communities, and provide economic development assistance to Virginians.

Broadband

The Office of Broadband, within the Department of Housing and Community Development, is the Commonwealth’s lead on closing the digital divide through expanding access to broadband infrastructure to unserved areas and developing solutions to address broadband affordability and adoption. The responsibilities of the Office of Broadband include: administering the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI), the Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP), and Utility Leverage Unserved Area Certification Program. The Office of Broadband also assists communities with broadband planning, develops and maintains the Commonwealth Connection Virginia’s Broadband Availability Map and Broadband Project Dashboard, assists stakeholders in accessing federal and tribal resources, as well as staffs the Broadband Advisory Council and Commonwealth Connect Coalition. 

Governor Youngkin has designated the Office of Broadband within the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) as lead on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, as well as the Digital Equity Act (DEA) programs under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, which will lead to an additional hundreds of millions in investment in Virginia’s expanding broadband access, as well as broadband affordability and adoption. As a result of  this work, the Commonwealth is well positioned to continue to lead in closing the digital divide.

GO Virginia 

DHCD oversees programs like GO Virginia, a collaborative economic development initiative with the goal to diversify and strengthen the economy in every region of the Commonwealth. DHCD administers the GO Virginia programming and funding decisions of the GO Virginia Board. It also works with the nine GO Virginia Regional Councils and their support organizations to provide technical assistance and guidance throughout the  development of their economic growth and diversification plans and apply for competitive GO Virginia funds. GO Virginia's investments foster regional collaboration and deliver high-impact projects that provide near-term results in addition to sustained regional and statewide economic growth. By advocating for communities to work together on a regional basis, there are greater opportunities to package experiences more broadly, offering a wider array of economic opportunities to the communities.   

Workforce training/talent development is a priority of the GoVA program.  The common objective across the state is to deliver workforce training and development through a collaborative model that focuses on a specific regional industry and may utilize K-12 or higher education resources.  Ultimate outcomes are defined, career-ready pathways for residents of a region.

Furthermore, GO Virginia received an additional general fund appropriation focused on regional manufacturing clusters that will invest in strengthening the regional economies where they operate through infrastructure, innovation, workforce and supply chain developments. These clusters will positively impact economic development and usher in advanced technology and future employment opportunities for the geographic areas they serve.

Community Revitalization 

DHCD oversees several leading programs designed to to support local or regional community-lead projects and overall community revitalization. 

Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF), which leverages local and private resources to achieve market-driven redevelopment of vacant and deteriorated industrial and commercial properties.  IRF’s approach is transformative to the physical structure it is addressing but also to the community and/or locality in the form of net new job growth and new business formation resulting from the project.  IRF was recently awarded $45 million in Federal ARPA funds that will be obligated by 2024, which will yield a significant boost to job growth and new business formation over the next few years compared to historical IRF outcomes.  

The Virginia Main Street program is a preservation, asset, and place-based economic and community development program that follows the Main Street Approach by the National Main Street Center.  Similar to IRF, VMS received an allocation of $8 million in Federal ARPA funds that will greatly enhance the program’s ability to help transform viable main street locations throughout the Commonwealth. Services direct to communities include design assistance such as facade renderings, organizational assistance to build resiliency, market assistance to examine the economic opportunities, and training on a wide variety of community economic development topics. Grants focus on the built environment and generating economic activity at the hyper local level.  

In addition to these efforts, DHCD supports several programs designed to prepare and accelerate entrepreneurs in successfully launching and supporting a small business. These include programs that provide access to capital to historically disadvantaged groups, business organizational and support grants, and other tools that support collaboration between small businesses, communities, and local governments throughout the state

Affordable Housing 

DHCD manages many programs that assist with housing needs, including but not limited to, housing rehabilitation, first-time homebuyer assistance, and homelessness reduction. Through these, DHCD is committed to providing safe and affordable housing throughout Virginia. 

In partnership with Virginia Housing, DHCD administers the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, a state funded program designed to increase the supply of affordable housing across Virginia by providing affordable credit options for home financing. Additionally, the fund provides grant support for homelessness reduction efforts across the state. The General Assembly recently increased the Fund's biennial appropriation to $150 million, which will increase the Fund's ability to assist in affordable housing efforts for all Virginians. DHCD will also continue to work with established programs (ASNH, CDBG, CoCs etc.)  and with partner agencies and stakeholders to develop strategies and address the critical need for affordable housing in the state.

DHCD is developing and implementing several technology projects that will increase customer access to agency services.  The goal is to deliver applications and services that are available to customers of the Commonwealth at any time from any location via a centralized web portal.  Systems have been deployed to give customers the ability to purchase manufactured housing licenses and seals.  These systems have greatly reduced the turnaround time for customer delivery and have also improved internal staff operating efficiency through streamlined process improvements.

DHCD continues to improve CAMS (Centralized Application and Management System) to provide additional customer service improvements and internal efficiencies. CAMS is a web-based portal to improve processes and data quality.  CAMS allows DHCD staff to access centralized external customer contact information, review and process various applications and proposals from external customers and automate numerous project management functions such as financial management, reporting and data collection. The system allows DHCD’s customers to electronically submit grant applications, reports, reimbursement requests, as well as monitor and manage their local programs using the same management tools as DHCD staff.  CAMS has allowed DHCD to service its customers and stakeholders faster, with a higher quality of service and unparalleled governance of state and federal funds.  Additional functionality improvements are planned and ongoing that will further upgrade both the user experience and the agency's internal processes.

A significant number of DHCD employees are eligible to retire in the next five years.  The obvious impact will be the loss of experience, specialized skills, and institutional knowledge.  The need for effective succession planning will increase in the next several years as many of the agency's long term employees retire.

Although the agency has a mechanism for the retention of employees based on recognition rewards, human resources and agency management will need to evaluate other ways to retain employees--especially with over four generations active in the workforce at DHCD each with different needs and motivations. Supporting teleworking and alternative work schedules has become increasingly important for the agency.  Actively participating in professional organizations and obtaining and maintaining professional certifications are key factors for retaining those employees who want to excel and demonstrate their knowledge for upward mobility.  Supporting these efforts is important to the agency’s success in addressing new and emerging issues.

Ongoing management training and professional development will continue to be enhanced and rewarded. Supervisory and management training is critical for the development of middle managers and the development of successful career ladders within the agency.  The agency has implemented mandatory on-line training for all employees including managers and supervisors.

DHCD has offices located in downtown Richmond and Abingdon, Virginia.  In Richmond, the agency leases approximately 26,028 square feet in the Main Street Centre from the Virginia Department of General Services.  Approximately one hundred forty-four (144) DHCD employees have assigned office space  in the Main Street Centre.  This facility also provides meeting space that enables DHCD to convene meetings with our boards, customers and agency stakeholders.

The DHCD regional office located approximately 300 miles from Richmond in Abingdon helps the agency to provide better outreach and services to the citizens of Southern and Southwest Virginia.  DHCD leases 1,160 square feet from a private property owner for a regional office located in Abingdon.  Approximately seven (7) DHCD employees work in our Abingdon field office for the Program Administration and Assistance Office (PAAO) within the Division of Community Development.

The lack of affordable housing, coupled with increased costs in materials and building efforts, as well as the upward trend in monthly rent and mortgage rates will continue to present challenges in the years ahead.  In addition, federal funding resources will likely decrease from levels seen over the last few years.  As these resources become scarcer, funding decisions will become more difficult and there will be an increased focus on leveraging additional funds to complete community projects.  Strategic collaboration among state agencies is important to tackle these issues more strategically.  

On a positive note, there has been a recent influx of federal funds, as well as augmented general funds, for programs that cater to affordable housing, economic development and broadband.  These additional funds will help DHCD to more adequately concentrate resources on the aforementioned programs, yielding significant positive outcomes for those who are in the most need and for the Commonwealth as a whole.  

DHCD's allocated funding consists of federal trust funds (26.3%), the state's general fund (52.9%), and special funds (20.8%) for FY 2023 and federal trust funds (27.8%), the state's general fund (50.2%), and special funds (22%) for FY 2024.  This includes approximately $176.6 million in 2023 and $149.66 million in 2024 for community development and revitalization and financial assistance for regional cooperation and community development; approximately $297 million in 2023 and $297 million in 2024 for housing and homeless assistance and financial assistance for housing services; and approximately $16.75 million in 2023 and $16.75 million in 2024 for financial assistance for economic development.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) receives financial support through a mix of state and non-state funds. A significant percentage of revenue for DHCD comes from federal government programs that provide grants to non-entitlement localities and nonprofits that apply for and receive funding for qualifying housing and community development projects. DHCD also receives special funds derived from locally-collected building permit levies that are used to support training programs for local building and fire code enforcement personnel. Finally, DHCD receives state General Fund and non general fund support for its programs. Below is a summary of major revenue sources for the agency: 

1. State General Fund Support  


2. State Nongeneral Fund Support 
   
   
   
   • Local levies for State building Code offices 
   
   
   • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction revenues 
   
   
   
   


3. Special Trusts 
   
   
   
   • Virginia Individual Development Account credits 
   
   
   • Communities of Opportunity Tax Credits 
   
   
   
   


4. Federal (major ongoing grant programs) 
   
   
   
   • Department of Housing and Urban Development Grants 
     
     
     
     • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Grants (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) 
   
   
   • Lead Hazard Reduction Grants
   
   
   • Department of Energy Grants 
   
   
   • Weatherization Assistance Program
   
   
   • Department of Health and Human Services 
   
   
   
   


5. Federal (recent federal investments) 
   
   
   
   • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (2020)
   
   
   • American Rescue Plan Act (2021) 
   
   
   • Infrastructure and Jobs Act (2021)
   
   
   
   

DHCD works with localities and federal and state partners to deliver programs to create safe, affordable, and prosperous communities throughout Virginia. The ultimate goal of DHCD programs is to improve the quality of life in Virginia communities. The statistics highlighted in the table below provide a snapshot of some of the impacts DHCD makes on lives and communities.

The general categories of customers associated with DHCD's various service areas are not expected to change significantly during the biennium. Local and regional government structures are generally stable and, with the very limited exception of the possibility of one or more localities considering options such as reversion to town status or consolidation with an underlying jurisdiction, are not expected to change.  The continued growth of the state's overall population and the ongoing aging of that overall population could increase the number of persons potentially requiring assistance in obtaining affordable and accessible housing.

Programs and services provided through DHCD have a primary focus of improving the quality of life for citizens and communities throughout Virginia. DHCD seeks to enhance community well-being through programs that focus on:  (1) creating and preserving affordable housing for all, (2) ensuring equal access to 21st century broadband, (3) economic development at the regional, community, and small business level (4) maintaining the safety and efficiency of Virginia's buildings and (5) facilitating partnerships between local, state, regional and other entities. Through all of its programs, DHCD emphasizes building the capacity of communities and regions to improve their overall quality of life.

Affordable Housing 

DHCD works in collaboration with communities throughout the Commonwealth as part of its comprehensive approach to addressing affordable housing needs through: housing production; housing preservation and rehabilitation; accessibility and energy-efficiency improvements; housing counseling, to include efforts to deconcentrate poverty; permanent supportive housing; homeless prevention and special needs housing.  The agency also works closely with other partners, from non-profits and community action agencies, advocacy groups, state and federal agencies, developers and other advisory entities.  DHCD places a premium on stakeholder engagement and frequently conducts input sessions to gain feedback on how to work more effectively and efficiently.  

Broadband

DHCD works with local governments and internet service providers to expand affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access universally across the Commonwealth. This goal is accomplished by expanding broadband infrastructure where no options for high-speed internet connectivity exist and working with communities to develop solutions to tackle broadband affordability, broadband adoption and digital opportunity gaps. As a result of this work to close the digital divide, Virginia’s communities will be enabled to fully participate in the 21st Century, accessing opportunities through telehealth, smart farming, virtual education and e-commerce. 

Economic Development and Community Vitality 

DHCD invests millions each year into economic and community development projects throughout the state, and are are often viewed as the “first rungs” on the ladder of economic development in communities across Virginia. These economic and community development activities provide assistance to individuals, small businesses, and local governments to revitalize their communities through a variety of means. Key components of community development include development strategies and technical assistance, design assistance, asset based development, market development and branding, and local capacity building in addition to grant making programs. The ultimate objective of DHCD is to improve the quality of life in Virginia’s communities.

Building Code  

DHCD supports the Board of Housing and Community Development in promulgating the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)  and Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC). These codes ensure the construction of buildings and structures that incorporate critical structural and life safety features and make sure that they are healthy, accessible, energy efficient and affordable. Maintaining uniformity in the application of the building code across the Commonwealth is a key commerce and trade issue. Safe buildings and communities result from strategic partnerships between citizens, architects, builders, code officials and trades people.

Commission on Local Government  

DHCD supports the Commission on Local Government (CLG), whose goal is to promote and preserve the viability of Virginia’s local governments by fostering positive intergovernmental relations. In addition to providing technical assistance to localities and state agencies on the state’s boundary change and governmental transition processes, the Commission issues a number of technical reports on matters related to local government. Additionally, the Commission assists the Governor in analyzing legislation related to local governments and assessing its fiscal impact during the General Assembly Session. Furthermore, the Commission oversees the State's relationships with the 21 planning district commissions with the purpose of encouraging and facilitating local government cooperation in addressing problems on a regional basis.

DHCD programs strive to maintain the vibrancy of communities throughout the Commonwealth by providing universal broadband access, investing in economic development initiatives, promulgating the statewide building and fire regulations, preserving the affordability and efficiency of Virginia’s homes and buildings, addressing homelessness, reducing eviction rates across the state and fostering innovative solutions to create affordable housing. DHCD invests over $350 million annually in addition to $2 billion in federal recovery programs as a partner to Virginia communities to create safe, affordable and prosperous communities to live, work and do business in Virginia.

The purpose of the programs overseen by DHCD is to provide the best possible outcome for the recipient, whether that is related to a locality looking to diversify and enhance its economic development within a region, an underserved area of the state that requires access to broadband or a developer that requires gap financing for the development of a new, affordable housing multifamily community.  Each division within DHCD monitors its programs accordingly and tracks outcomes and results as a way to measure performance of the programs and grant recipients.  

Program Objectives, Key Results and Initiatives

Economic Development and Community Vitality (EDCV)

Objective 1 -  Expand the employment opportunities for Virginians by increasing the number of high paying, quality jobs in the state.   

Initiatives - Provide talent pathways funding for initial planning phases, additional funding to implement programs and utilize these programs to deliver proven outcomes as a guideline for each region.  

Key Results - Create approximately 10,000 jobs over the next 12 months.

Objective  2 - Increase new business ("start up") formation 

Initiatives - Lead efforts to encourage and support entrepreneurs and high potential start-ups across the commonwealth 

Key Results - Create more than 1,300 start-ups through EDCV projects over the next year.

Objective 3 - Increase non-state investments in efforts that align with local, regional and state economic development strategies

Initiatives - Incentivize program fund applicants through matching fund contributions.

Key Results - Provide that every $1 in EDCV administered investments leverage at least $4 in matching non-state  funds. 

Broadband

Objective 1 - Increase private investment through community broadband infrastructure projects.

Initiatives - Encourage significance of cost efficiency of broadband expansion projects by incentivizing VATI applicants through matching fund contributions.

Key Result -  Provide that every $1 allocated in VATI projects leveraged at least $1.30 in local government and ISP matching funds.  

Objective 2 - Ensure the timely construction and streamlined implementation of VATI awards to expand broadband infrastructure to unserved areas.

Initiatives - Form partnerships with other state agencies to promote the implementation of existing VATI awards.  Develop a grant management manual to support local grant management compliance.

Key Result - Provide access to an estimated 50,000+ locations provided access over the next year through construction of existing awards.

Affordable Housing

Objective - Drastically improve affordable housing options for Virginia residents.

Initiatives - Utilize platforms like The Governor’s Housing Conference, paid media, earned media, leveraged social media advertising and innovative relevant marketing outlets to offer programs to local and regional developers.

Key Result - Increase or preserve affordable housing stock by 2,500 units over the next 12 months.  

Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation

Objective - Increase job growth and number of new businesses in Southwest Virginia.

Initiatives - Work through community and economic development projects on creating and fostering a thriving, outdoor recreation industry.

Key Result - Create approximately 300 jobs and 90 new businesses in Southwest Virginia by early 2024.

Virginia must continue to implement activities to help make distressed communities more competitive in a rapidly changing global economy. Community development and revitalization spans the full spectrum of efforts designed to enhance the development of Virginia’s most distressed communities and serve low-income residents. Community economic development efforts range from extensive broadband access and infrastructure support for industrial locations to downtown revitalization and encouraging entrepreneurship and small business development. DHCD-administered state incentives are used to encourage businesses to target new jobs and investment in designated distressed areas.

Access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet universally across the Commonwealth is key for full participation in the 21st century. DHCD has funded projects to reach hundreds of thousands of previously unserved homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions and is on track to fully obligate funds for functionally universal coverage across the Commonwealth by 2024. The other side of the digital divide, once access to broadband is available, is broadband adoption, broadband affordability, and digital opportunity. DHCD is developing strategies to target high-need areas on this side of the digital divide.

• Utilize both the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative and Line Extension Customer Assistance Program to provide broadband access to unserved communities in Virginia.

• Develop and promote resources within the Office of Broadband to support broadband affordability, broadband adoption and digital opportunity efforts.

The decline in traditional economic sectors and increased international competition have left behind the economies of many regions of the state. Many urban and rural communities face severe economic distress as they have fallen behind the rapid pace of economic change prevailing in much of the state. While the statewide unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation, certain distressed areas signficiantly exceed the state average. DHCD has given increased emphasis in its community development programs to providing financial and technical support while working with its partners to assist these localities.

• Encourage the creation of broad based partnerships to promote regional economic collaboration in economically distressed areas, stimulating job creation, small business creation and entrepreneurship, economic development, community capacity building and leadership.

Adequate infrastructure is critical to the health, safety and economic vitality of Virginia’s communities. DHCD exerts tremendous effort to partner local, state, and federal organizations to address the needs of Virginia households lacking access to clean and safe drinking water and that do not have proper facilities for the safe disposal of wastewater. DHCD also has worked closely with localities to conduct extensive research into communities that are lacking such infrastructure to identify the extent of need, develop potential solutions to those needs and prioritize planning and construction projects to address them.

• Provide funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) that enables communities to provide water/wastewater infrastructure.

DHCD community economic development efforts range from infrastructure support for industrial locations, to downtown revitalization to entrepreneurship. DHCD-administered state incentives encourage businesses to target new jobs and investment in designated distressed areas. DHCD is the lead state agency implementing coordinating new federal tax incentive program with communities and investors.

• Select areas eligible for designation as enterprise zones through a competitive process based on an evaluation of community need and locally developed program design features.

The economic circumstances of many regions of the state have lagged behind the pace of economic growth and change seen throughout other parts of the state in recent years. Some distressed areas have levels of poverty and/or unemployment exceeding the state average as well as median incomes well below the state average. DHCD has structured its community development programs to address the availability of financial and technical support to such localities.

• Select local economic development projects for funding from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other resources through a competitive process based on an evaluation of community need and locally developed project design features helps respond to those needs.

• Promote the creation of regional collaboration in economically distressed areas to stimulate job creation, economic development and build the community capacity and leadership needed to overcome conditions inhibiting local economic progress.

This goal seeks to reduce homelessness by helping vulnerable households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It focuses on diverting, where possible, households from homelessness while at the same time placing those experiencing homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible.

This goal encompasses a number of subpopulations, including veterans, whose unique circumstances may present special challenges to combating homelessness.

DHCD collaborates with communities throughout the Commonwealth as part of its comprehensive approach to meeting the housing needs of: (a) the homeless; (b) those at risk of becoming homeless; (c) special needs populations; (d) at-risk veterans, (e) individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and (f) those that could not otherwise afford decent housing. Each year, DHCD oversees programs that help prevent homelessness for more than 30,000 Virginians, helps shelter those who are homeless, moves the homeless into permanent housing, offers supportive services to those with special needs including victims of domestic violence and assists low-income citizens in accessing decent, safe and affordable housing.

• Support Continuum of Care (CoC) strategies and homeless service and prevention programs that reduce the number of individuals/households who become homeless; shorten the period an individual or household is homeless; and reduce the number of individuals/households that return to homelessness.

This goal seeks to increase the overall availability of affordable housing through targeted rental, homeowner and homebuyer assistance and through low-cost project financing targeted to preserve and create new affordable rental and homebuyer units.

DHCD works closely with nonprofit partners to undertake the rehabilitation of dilapidated housing in the rural areas of the Commonwealth. 

• Provide education and financial assistance to nonprofit housing partners to train housing rehabilitation specialist and to fund housing rehabilitation projects benefiting low-to-moderate income households.

DHCD works closely with local and regional governmental and private sector partners, including nonprofit organizations, to upgrade existing housing and create new housing opportunities that increase affordability for low-income households, including special needs households in the Commonwealth.

• Promote developer partners’ increased awareness of and participation in tax credit programs and DHCD’s Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program that incentivize affordability and/or accessibility features of existing and new housing units/projects.

Virginia has a shortage of affordable housing resulting in many Virginia’s paying a significant portion of their household income on housing related expenses, commuting long distance to jobs, and living in substandard, crowded conditions. This goal seeks to increase the overall availability of quality affordable housing through low cost gap financing of affordable rental and homebuyer projects. The goals seeks to increase the overall number of affordable units but also to assure the availability of units, including accessible units, to special needs populations.

• Provide low interest loans to developers to incentivize the creation and preservation of affordable housing.

This goal addresses the need to develop the capacity within communities to enable them to develop innovative and appropriate housing, community and economic development initiatives.

DHCD works with the 21 Planning District Commissions (PDCs) that are charged with assisting localities to promote economic development. Benefits include greater effectiveness in conducting local government functions and the PDCs provide a wide range of assistance to local governments including funding applications, grants management, economic development coordination and management assistance.

• Continue to maintain working partnerships with all PDCs and assist them in providing technical assistance to communities designed to help them access and effectively use agency resources to meet their critical needs.

• Distribute annual appropriations to all PDCs and monitor their progress in preparing and implementing regional community development strategies and initiatives as outlined under the Regional Cooperation Act.

Virginia is one of a limited number of states with a uniform set of building codes applicable statewide. The State Building Code Office (SBCO) focuses on the development, promulgation, interpretation and application of building regulations applicable to conventional buildings and structures. The SBCO also addresses industrialized, modular, and manufactured structures to ensure the quality and safety of the product and its installation in accordance with the regulations. Emphasizing uniformity in regulatory requirements, compliance, and enforcement saves time for businesses while reducing building construction and maintenance costs and ensuring an appropriate level of health and safety in the built environment for occupants and the general public.

Maintaining uniformity in the application of the building code across the Commonwealth is a key commerce and trade issue.  Safe buildings and communities result from strategic partnerships between citizens, architects, builders, code officials, and trades people.

• Ensure the availability of adequate funding to operate the certification program and to provide mandated training, advanced and specialized training, periodic maintenance training and continuing education programs to meet the needs and demands of the code enforcement professionals.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (JPVBCA) by ensuring a sufficient number of appropriately and competently trained and certified code enforcement professionals to adequately enforce the building and fire codes and regulations for a safe built environment.

• Review the need to increase the levy percentage allowable per law for the permit surcharge and ensure adequate funding is available to meet the needs for mandated training, periodic maintenance training, and continuing education activities in the present and future for the code enforcement professionals; as well as collaborative education of private sector clients.

State support of regional approaches helps provide better program service delivery and results in more coordinated outcomes. Coordinated regional planning leads to more efficient deployment of limited state and federal financing resources. Regional entities can also provide assistance in linking individual local efforts to maximize results and minimize costs. This goal addresses the need for policies, research and activities that enhance affordable and accessible housing, community and economic development and environmental safety.

The Commission on Local Government works with governmental officials, public interest groups and citizens to increase their understanding of: boundary change and local governmental transitions; comparative fiscal stress of Virginia’s localities; state and federal mandates on localities; and intergovernmental issues in general.

• Identification and development of mediation resources for the parties to use.

• Offering financial assistance to support mediation if resources are available.

• Using various means to encourage the parties to enter into mediation or negotiations concerning the issues.

This goal informs and guides DHCD's vision to be a well-managed agency in fulfilling its mission in an effective and efficient manner.

DHCD seeks to use strategic management and model business practices to effectively and efficiently accomplish its mission and deliver services.

• Create and preserve affordable housing.

• Improve our communities.

• Deploy capital strategically for job creation.

• Ensure efficient and cost-effective rules for construction.

• Connect Virginians and businesses via high-speed internet.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers programs through this service area that seeks to provide safe, accessible, and decent housing opportunities.  These funds are provided to local governments and nonprofit organizations that serve low-income individuals and households including the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Some of the programs administered by DHCD for housing assistance include:  HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program which received $10.7 million and an additional $39.7 million in American Rescue Plan Assistance (ARPA) funds in FY 2022 to develop affordable housing projects in Virginia; Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) which received $1.375 million to provide housing assistance and related supportive services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families; Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) which received $3 million to assist with rapid re-housing assistance.   

Some other programs administered through this service area include both the Virginia and National Housing Trust Funds, Weatherization and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs.  The Housing Trust Funds are intended to create and preserve affordable housing and to reduce homelessness in the Commonwealth, and was recently given additional general fund support to equal $150 million over the biennium. The Weatherization program provides funds to implement initiatives that reduce residential heating and cooling costs for low-income families and enhance the health and safety of residents, Additionally, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low-income families with energy costs.

Funds in this service area are used for grants and loans to increase production of single and multi-family housing targeted at households at or below 80 percent area median income (AMI), to:  remove health and safety hazards; improve affordability and habitability through energy-efficiency, heating, and plumbing improvements, provide financial resources to assist first-time homebuyers and address accessibility needs.  Additionally, this service area addresses substandard housing in Virginia’s rural areas through housing rehabilitation services, for beneficiaries with  household income of 80 percent or less of the area median income.

This service area directly aligns with DHCD’s mission of working in partnership to make Virginia’s communities safe and affordable places in which to live. In addition, an improved housing stock enhances the economic viability of a community.

Authority: Title 36, Chapters 1.4, 8, 9, and 11; and Title 58.1, Chapter 3, Articles 4 and 13, Code of Virginia.

• Funding through grants and loans


• Administration of grants received from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), state and special fund sources (Virginia Housing Trust Fund). These support the development of affordable multi-family and single-family housing development and housing rehabilitation assistance to low-income and special needs populations including the elderly, the disabled and the previously homeless, homeownership assistance for first-time homebuyers and the disabled, indoor plumbing and housing rehabilitation, health and safety hazards in housing units and repair and rehabilitation of substandard units.


• Customer service and training through annual training, technical assistance visits, and monitoring visits


• Operating support for community-based housing organizations

This service area includes budgetary provision for the administration of funds anticipated from several federal programs providing housing assistance to qualifying individuals or entities.  DHCD's budget for this service area for both FY 2023 and FY 2024 is $75,957,465 in general funds and $153,549,707 in non-general funds.

This service area administers the Commonwealth’s programs seeking to end homelessness in Virginia in partnership with local governments and nonprofit organizations serving the homeless, those at imminent risk of homelessness and persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Funds are used for homeless assistance and prevention. This includes operating support for emergency shelters, housing stabilization services and assistance such as security deposits and temporary rental assistance to help move persons experiencing homelessness into permanent housing. Funds are also used to help divert people from becoming homeless by providing housing stabilization services and temporary rental assistance.

The biennium budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 allocates approximately $7,901,820 the first year and $7,901,820 the second year to assist in providing support services for person at risk of or experiencing homelessness and housing for populations with special needs; $4,050,000 the first year and $4,050,000 the second year to assist in providing homeless prevention; and $1,100,000 the first year and $1,100,000 the second year for rapid re-housing efforts.

By providing safety through shelters, homeless prevention programs, rapid re-housing and the creation of permanent supportive housing, this service area supports DHCD’s mission of working in partnership with local service providers in providing low-income and homeless individuals and families safe and affordable places to live.

Authority: Title 36, Chapters 1.4, 8, 9, and 11; and Title 58.1, Chapter 3, Articles 4 and 13, Code of Virginia.

• Development of grant applications for funding from federal and non-federal sources


• Grants administration for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)


• Grants administration for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program


• Grants administration for the Virginia Homeless Solutions Program Customer service and training through training events, technical assistance calls and visits as well as monitoring visits


• Support and coordination for local continua of care (CoC) and other planning processes that increase collaboration and coordination in the delivery of services to homeless individuals and families


• Administration of the Balance of State CoC and related federal Homeless Information Management System (HMIS) and Continuum of Care Planning grants


• Implementation of the action steps outlined in the Homeless Outcomes Advisory Committee Report and Recommendations


• Staffing of the Governor’s Coordinating Council on Homelessness

Funds expended within this service area combine to address two aspects of homelessness:  (1) providing assistance to organizations, including non-profits and local governments, helping persons and families actually experiencing homelessness as well (2) and supporting homelessness prevention activities that aim to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.  Non-general funds comprise federal Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Housing for Persons with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA).  DHCD's budget for this service area for both FY 2023 and FY 2024 is $14,449,599 in general funds and $2,592,306 in non-general funds.

This service area provides funds to local governments that partner with DHCD to administer the Commonwealth’s programs seeking to provide safe, accessible and decent housing opportunities through local governments and nonprofit organizations that serve low-income individuals and households, including the elderly and persons with disabilities. The primary goals of this service area are the same as found in Service Area Plans 45801 and 45804.

This service area directly aligns with DHCD’s mission of working in partnership to make Virginia’s communities safe and affordable places in which to live.  In addition, an improved housing stock enhances the economic viability of a community.

Authority: Title 36, Chapters 1.4, 8, 9, and 11; and Title 58.1, Chapter 3, Articles 4 and 13, Code of Virginia.

• Funding through grants and loans


• Administration of grants received from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), state and special fund sources (Commonwealth Priority Housing Fund, Virginia Housing Partnership Fund and Virginia Housing Trust Fund). These support the development of affordable multi-family and single-family housing development and housing rehabilitation assistance to low-income and special needs populations including the elderly, the disabled and the previously homeless, homeownership assistance for first-time homebuyers and the disabled, indoor plumbing and housing rehabilitation, health and safety hazards in housing units and repair and rehabilitation of substandard units.


• Customer service and training through annual training, technical assistance visits, and monitoring visits


• Operating Support for community-based housing organizations

Funding within this service area complements activities in the other housing-related service areas by providing assistance to local governments that work in partnership with DHCD to address the housing needs of low-income individuals and families, including the elderly and disabled.  Approximately ninety-two percent of total housing funding in both FY 2023 and FY 2024 is derived from non-general fund sources.  DHCD's budget for this service area for FY 2023 and FY 2024 is $4,191,418 in general fund dollars and $46,320,000 in non-general funds.

This service area encompasses work programs designed to support and enhance local community and economic development and revitalization efforts. They combine grants, technical assistance, design assistance, market development and branding, capacity building, leadership development, strategic community development and training initiatives. DHCD provides these resources to local partners to carry out revitalization and community and economic development activities. These activities target distressed rural and urban areas of Virginia where needs are the greatest. 

Specific programmatic efforts provide placed-based and economic development capacity building technical assistance. These include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program, the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF), the Indoor Plumbing and Rehabilitation program (IPR), regional water and wastewater construction programs  (i.e. Southwest Virginia Infrastructure Construction Fund, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project [SERCAP], etc.) the Virginia Main Street program (VMS), and the Virginia Individual Development Accounts program (VIDA). 

In addition, this service area includes the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI)  and Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP) to provide broadband access to unserved communities in Virginia. These programs provide financial assistance to localites who, in partnership with local service providers, work to identify and provide access to currently unserved areas. 

Dedicated resources also support asset-based development initiatives, such as the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage initiatives that include the Crooked Road, Heartwood, ‘Round the Mountain, Appalachian Spring, as well as Southern Virginia’s Creative Economies, the Clinch River Valley Initiative and The Oyster Trail Initiative.  DHCD continues to work collaboratively with local partners in the Shenandoah Valley region to support the development of a strong artisan network and to assess the viability of an artisan center.  DHCD also provides support to the Center for Rural Virginia to help further its mission of fostering rural community leadership and promoting the attributes of rural Virginia.

This service area increases the capacity of local and regional entities to work in effective partnerships with DHCD.  It also provides resources that directly affect the prosperity and viability of Virginia’s most distressed communities.

Authority: Title 15.2, Chapter 13, Article 3 and Chapter 42; Title 36, Chapters 8, 10 and 11; and Title 59.1, Chapter 22, Code of Virginia.

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program administration and technical assistance to support project development and implementation


• Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation and Virginia Center for Rural Virginia administration 


• Virginia Telecommunications Initiative and Line Extension Customer Assistance Program planning and Implementation 


• Project administration for the construction of water and wastewater systems


• Grant, technical assistance, and other support for innovations in small business development, microfinance and local entrepreneurial development strategies 


• Collaborative support for regional community economic development strategies and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on capacity building for regional collaboration


• Downtown revitalization development and technical assistance, real estate packaging assistance, training and design and economic restructuring services


• Training and matching funds for individual development account savers to use for homeownership, entrepreneurship (i.e. business start-up) and education

Funds expended within this service area are directed toward the support of local and regional economic and community development initiatives in distressed communities through a combination of grants, technical assistance, design assistance, market development and branding as well as training.  DHCD's budget for this service area is $61,906,845 for FY 2023 and $61,676,845 for FY 2024 in general funds and $12,219,029 in non-general funds for each fiscal year.

The primary purpose of this service area is to encourage and facilitate cooperative efforts in providing regional responses to problems of greater than local significance. Cooperative efforts are intended to assist local governments in meeting their own problems by enhancing their ability to recognize and analyze regional opportunities and take account of regional influences in planning and implementing their public policies and services. 

Virginia’s 21 Planning District Commissions (PDCs) are charged with assisting localities in meeting these goals. Benefits include greater effectiveness in conducting local government functions and the provision of a wide range of assistance to local governments including funding applications, grants management, economic development coordination and management assistance. Also included are resources to support planning and design activities for water and wastewater systems.

This service area is also administering the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) under the direction of the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board. DHCD administers the GO Virginia programming and funding decisions of the GO Virginia Board. It also works with the nine GO Virginia Regional Councils and their support organizations to provide technical assistance and guidance throughout the  development of their economic growth and diversification plans and apply for competitive GO Virginia funds. GO Virginia's investments foster regional collaboration and deliver high-impact projects that provide near-term results in addition to sustained regional and statewide economic growth. By advocating for communities to work together on a regional basis, there are greater opportunities to package experiences more broadly, offering a wider array of economic opportunities to the communities.

This service area directly aligns with DHCD’s mission to make Virginia communities safe, affordable and prosperous places in which to live, work and do business.

Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 24, Title 15.2, Chapter 13, Article 3 and Chapter 42; Title 36, Chapters 8, 10 and 11; and Title 59.1, Chapter 22, Code of Virginia.

• Distribution of state funding


• Technical assistance and training


• Coordination of agency programs


• Review of and adjustments to the boundaries of planning districts after each decennial census


• Biennial report on Planning District Commissions to the Governor and the General Assembly


• GO Virginia capacity building grant, regional population-based grants and competitive regional grants are designed to help grow and diversify Virginia’s economy and create higher paying jobs through state financial incentives for regional projects that encourage collaboration between private sector companies, workforce, education and government in each region.

Majority of the funds expended within this service area are allocated to the Virginia Growth and Opportunity fund to encourage regional cooperation on strategic economic and workforce development efforts.  Funding for this program consists of approximately 87.2% of allocated amounts for FY 2023 and FY 2024, within this service area.  In addition, this service area includes quarterly payments to the 21 regional Planning District Commissions and water and wastewater planning and design activities within the southwest region of the state.  DHCD's budget for this service area is $35,408,251 for FY 2023 and $35,388,251 for FY 2024.

This service area encompasses work programs that are designed to support and enhance local community development and revitalization efforts primarily through financial assistance. It includes both state and federal funding resources supporting a wide range of activities. These include infrastructure development, economic development, downtown revitalization, neighborhood improvements, housing rehabilitation, economic self-sufficiency, asset building and community service facilities. Activities target distressed Virginia communities where needs are the greatest. Specific programmatic efforts include the Southwest Virginia Infrastructure Construction Fund, the Virginia Individual Development Account program (VIDA), the Indoor Plumbing and Rehabilitation Program (IPR), the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Program,  Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Program.

This service area provides resources to help develop safe living environments that are provided with basic infrastructure and services to meet the needs of citizens in distressed areas.

Authority: Title 15.2, Chapter 13, Article 3 and Chapter 42; Title 36, Chapters 8, 10 and 11; and Title 59.1, Chapter 22, Code of Virginia.

• Technical assistance on grant implementation


• Grants to units of local government


• Grants to nonprofit organizations


• Grants to Planning District Commissions on behalf of local and regional projects


• CDBG and ARC program administration and technical assistance to support project development and implementation


• Grants to local governments and nonprofit organizations to implement strategies for local, community and small business development


• Grants and technical assistance to local and regional micro-enterprise development organizations (MDOs) to provide training and services to non-traditional entrepreneurs


• Training and matching funds for individual development account savers to use for homeownership, entrepreneurship (i.e., business start-up) and education


• Grants and technical assistance to facilitate infrastructure improvements, including connections to water and wastewater systems and upgraded telecommunications access

The bulk of the non-general funds within this service area derive primarily from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) programs.  These combine with general funds to provide financial assistance for local and regional projects that address community development and revitalization efforts through infrastructure improvements, support for economic development activities, neighborhood improvements, housing rehabilitation, community service facilities and activities promoting economic self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship and asset building.  DHCD's budget for this service area is $49,781,387 for FY 2023 and $23,065,043 for FY 2024 in general funds and $17,311,274 in non-general funds for both fiscal years.

This service area includes assistance to target businesses and investors to encourage new job creation and investment in distressed areas of the Commonwealth where needs are the greatest, specifically through the Virginia Enterprise Zone (EZ). The program is a partnership between state and local government that encourages job creation and private investment. EZ accomplishes this by designating Enterprise Zones throughout the state and providing two grant-based incentives, the Job Creation Grant (JCG) and the Real Property Investment Grant (RPIG), to qualified investors and job creators within those zones, while the locality provides local incentives.

This service area directly supports DHCD's mission to make Virginia’s communities prosperous places in which to live, work and do business.

Authority: Title 59.1, Chapters 22 and 49, Code of Virginia.

• 
  Technical assistance on program implementation


• 
  Grants to businesses creating new jobs in distressed areas


• 
  Grants to investors making real property improvements in distressed areas


• 
  Tax credits to businesses creating jobs in distressed areas


• 
  Tax credits to investors creating jobs and making real property improvements in distressed areas

Funds from this service area provide grants as incentives for job creation and investment in real property improvements occurring within designated Enterprise Zones. Depending on the number of qualified applicants for the grants within each fiscal year, it may be necessary to prorate the award of real property improvement grants in accordance with current statutory and budgetary provisions.  DHCD's budget for this service area is $16,754,431 for FY 2023 and FY 2024; all general funds.

This service area, through the Division of Building and Fire Regulations, focuses on the development, promulgation, interpretation, and application of building regulations applicable to conventional buildings and structures, as well as to manufactured homes and industrialized or modular buildings and amusement devices. The division is divided into two separate service areas, the State Building Codes Office (SBCO) and the Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (JPVBCA). 

The SBCO administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), and related regulations. The SBCO emphasizes a comprehensive systems approach, incorporating code development and assistance, compliance and enforcement, interpretation and application, and training and certification by working collaboratively with a diversity of client, constituent, and stakeholder organizations. They represent consumers and manufacturers, manufactured housing and industrialized/modular building industries, building owners and property managers, design professionals, general contractors, professional organizations and trade associations, local governments and state agencies. Through its active participation in the national model code development process, Virginia is also a leader in the development of these codes. The state regulatory amendments adopted by the Board of Housing and Community Development (BHCD) often serve to direct the content and intent of revisions to the International Code Council (ICC) national model codes.

The SBCO supports the State Building Code Technical Review Board (TRB), a quasi-judicial body, in making determinations of appellate cases arising from the application and enforcement of the USBC, SFPC, and the State Fire Marshal Office (SFMO)  and certain other building-related regulations at the local government level.The SBCO also administers and enforces manufactured housing safety regulations, the licensing program, and Transaction Recovery Fund, through regulations adopted by the Manufactured Housing Board (MHB) and the BHCD. The SBCO acts as the state administrative agency for the designated enforcement of federal manufactured home safety standards and addresses related consumer complaints. Relative to the industrialized building safety regulations, the SBCO also administers a program issuing compliance seals for industrialized buildings meeting required safety standards. The SBCO periodically conducts inspections and plan reviews of facilities that fabricate industrialized buildings, modular units and manufactured housing.

The Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (JPVBCA), provides highly recognized administrative, core, introductory, advanced, technical, specialized, code update, and continuing education training programs concerning the content, intent, interpretation, application, compliance, and enforcement of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), and other related building and fire codes and regulations adopted by the Board. To provide for the uniform enforcement of state building and fire codes and regulations, Virginia mandates the certification of code enforcement personnel, which requires education and examination of code enforcement professionals to ensure a high level of knowledge, competency, and professionalism. A statewide surcharge of 2% levied on all permits issued by local building departments supports state and regional training programs for code enforcement professionals.

BFR staff continues to serve in a national capacity on the following boards, committees and Councils:  President-International Code Council (ICC) Board of DIrectors, Off-site Construction Standards Development Committee, International Energy Conservation Code - Residential Committee, ICC Professional Development Council - Education Committee, Sustainability Exam Development Committee, Property Maintenance Exam Development Committee and the International Building Code Interpretation Committee.

The development, promulgation, and uniform enforcement of standardized regulations that achieve an appropriate level of safety at a reasonable level of cost for construction and maintenance provides communities with safe, healthy, energy efficient and affordable buildings and structures.

Authority: Title 15.2, Chapter 9; Title 27, Chapters 1, 6, and 9; Title 36, Chapters 4, 4.1, 4.2, 6, and 8; Title 58.1, Chapter 36, Article 5; and Title 63.2, Chapter 17, Code of Virginia.

• Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The Department works with the Board of Housing and Community Development (the Board or BHCD) and state and national trade and model code groups to promulgate the USBC and its related codes and regulations. Staff provides technical and administrative assistance regarding the codes to state agencies, design professionals, the construction industry, building owners and managers, local building departments and others seeking assistance and information. The State Building Code Technical Review Board (TRB) provides recommendations to the Board on amendments to the codes and regulations. Other statutory and ad hoc committees provide advice and assistance to the Board and staff on the promulgation and administration of the USBC, Amusement Device Regulations, Certification Standards, and related codes and regulations.


• Industrialized Building Safety Regulations. The Department works with the Board and other involved parties to promulgate and carry out the administration of regulations covering industrialized or modular buildings. Industrialized buildings certified under this program are accepted in all jurisdictions as meeting the same code requirements as the USBC. Based on reviews of their qualifications and personnel, approved Compliance Assurance Agencies conduct plan reviews and inspections to certify that industrialized or modular buildings are in compliance with Virginia codes. SBCO staff audits these manufacturing facilities to monitor their compliance with the regulations.


• Manufactured Housing Programs. The programs regulating manufactured housing include investigating and handling manufactured home consumer complaints and other duties as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) under the terms of a Cooperative Agreement with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); issuing licenses to manufactured housing manufacturers, brokers, dealers and salespersons; and carrying out other administrative activities of the Manufactured Housing Licensing and Transaction Recovery Fund Regulations promulgated by the Manufactured Housing Board.


• Training and Certification Programs. The programs within training and certification include the operation of Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (JPVBCA), developing and providing administrative, core, introductory, advanced, technical, specialized, code update, and continuing education courses mandated for all certificate holders including local governmental code enforcement personnel appointed or delegated to enforce the building and fire regulations and third party personnel seeking applicable certification; developing and conducting mandatory periodic statewide code update training and bi-annual continuing education for local governmental code enforcement personnel and independent third-party inspectors; processing and issuing the certifications of local governmental code enforcement personnel.


• Building Code Academy Advisory Committee (BCAAC). Staff provides administrative and programmatic support to the committee.


• Amusement Device Technical Advisory Committee (ADTAC). Staff provides administrative and programmatic support to the committee.


• The Virginia Manufactured Housing Board (MHB). The SBCO staff supports the activities of this board, which is responsible for the protection of the industry and consumers of manufactured homes and addressing manufactured housing complaints and licensure issues.


• The State Building Code Technical Review Board (TRB). The staff supports the Technical Review Board in its quasi-judicial capacity and administrative operations responsible for hearing and determining appeals of cases regarding the application and enforcement of the codes brought forth from the local and state government level, issuing technical opinions and interpretations resulting from formal inquiries, and recommending to the BHCD amendments to the codes and regulations.

Resources in this service area support activities related to the development and application of the state's primary building safety regulations, including the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Sources of non-general funds include federal funds for the state's participation as a State Administrative Agency (SAA) handling consumer affairs related to manufactured housing, proceeds from the issuance of seals certifying the compliance of factory-built and manufactured homes with applicable standards, funds from the manufactured Housing Transaction and Recovery Fund. Additional non-general fund support comes from revenues derived from a 2% surcharge on building permit fees that supports the operation of the state's building code academy  DHCD's budget for this service area for both FY 2023 and FY 2024 is $735,155 in general funds and $2,494,978 in non-general funds each year.

This service area provides overall direction and support to all services and programs provided by the other service areas within the agency by: offering a high quality of administrative services and technical support to all agency employees; providing analytical resources needed for the development, implementation and evaluation of agency and administration policies for housing and community development through legislative, regulatory, and administrative processes; providing administrative services and support over all the agency's services related to fiscal operations and financial management, federal grant draws and payments, the reconciliation of agency records to the Department of Account's records, and procurement; providing human resource functions including implementation of policies and directives, recruitment, selection, benefits, classification and compensation, and various other employee programs; providing public relations programs and website functions; and providing computer and information processing activities including the local area network in conjunction with Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA), database development and support for the entire agency at its Richmond and Abingdon locations. All agency administrative functions are directed by this service area.

This service area provides direction and support services to the other service areas so that they can work effectively and efficiently with their customers to fulfill the agency’s mission.

Authority: Title 36, Chapter 8, Code of Virginia.

• Overall policy direction, strategic management and accountability of all agency services and programs


• Preparation of all budget documents


• Financial resources management and reporting


• Cash management including federal draw-downs


• Legislative preparation, analysis, tracking and reporting


• Policy research and development


• Coordination of regulatory development processes


• Strategic planning


• Continuity of Operations planning (COOP)


• Human resource programs management and reporting


• Employee recognition program


• Database development and management


• Agency website functions


• Public relations programs


• Disaster recovery coordination


• Procurement activities


• Property and lease management

The primary source of funding is from the general fund.  Non-general funds associated with this service area come from indirect cost recovery and are used to fund positions and for technology services including database development.  DHCD's budget for this service area for both FY 2023 and FY 2024 is $4,483,533 in general funds and $538,224 in non-general funds.

The Commission on Local Government’s activities are focused on five principal areas: (a) review and assist the resolution of proposed boundary change and governmental transition issues as well as inter-local agreements that settle such actions; (b) analyze and report on the comparative fiscal condition of Virginia’s counties and cities; (c) examine proposed state legislation for its fiscal impact on the Commonwealth’s local governments; (d) review and oversee the assessment and cataloging of all state and federal mandates imposed on Virginia localities; and (e) collect data published in an annual report on local government cash proffer usage.

The activities of the Commission on Local Government can have a positive impact on the agency’s mission to make Virginia’s communities prosperous places in which to live, work, and do business. For example, the analysis of annexation and related inter-local issues can result in localities increasing their resources and land for development, which can facilitate the economic growth of their area in general.

Authority: Title 15.2, Subtitle III, Code of Virginia.

• Advisory reports on local boundary change and governmental transition issues and agreements (annexation, consolidation, transition, etc.) for localities and the courts


• Annual report analyzing the comparative revenue capacity, revenue effort and fiscal stress of counties and cities


• Fiscal impact estimates on proposed legislation mandating additional net expenditures or the net reduction of revenues by localities


• Annual report on local government revenues and expenditures resulting from the acceptance of cash proffers


• Technical assistance to localities, citizens and state agencies regarding inter-local concerns, including local government boundary change and transition issues and alternative approaches to such concerns


• Identification and development of mediation resources for use by localities in the resolution of inter-local issues


• Oral presentations, information and reference materials to public interest groups and the general public regarding inter-local and state-local issues within the scope of the agency's responsibilities


• Research and preparation of an annual report on county – municipal boundary change actions in Virginia


• Annual catalog of state and federal mandates imposed on Virginia localities


• Oversight of the executive agency assessment of state and federal mandates on localities


• Monitoring and analysis of legislation during sessions of the General Assembly related to local governments


• Research assistance to legislative study committees


• Duties relating to the oversight of Virginia’s planning district commissions (PDCs), including the preparation of a biennial report on PDCs to the Governor and General Assembly

Funds committed to this service area support the activities of the Commission on Local Government and staff support for that collegial body in accordance with its statutory obligations to review and make recommendations on a variety of inter-local governmental agreements, including annexations, reversions and consolidations.  DHCD's budget for this service area for both FY 2023 and FY 2024 is $377,482 in general funds and $0 in non-general funds each year.