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Exodus Family Institute seeks board signoff to apply for CDBG funds for 21 workforce homes
Summary
Exodus Family Institute presented a plan to build 21 single‑family homes priced for local teachers, first responders and health care workers and asked the board to approve applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to offset infrastructure costs.
Nonprofit Exodus Family Institute asked the board to permit the organization to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to help fund roads and infrastructure for a proposed 21‑home workforce subdivision called Homes by Jones in the Shiloh District.
Mary Parnell, Exodus co‑founder, said the project targets local teachers, first responders and health professionals priced out of the county’s housing market and argued a small, 21‑lot development could help recruitment and retention and generate local spending. Parnell said Exodus purchased 16 acres and proposed 21 three‑bedroom, two‑bath homes and estimated infrastructure costs at roughly $2 million — a figure that would add about $100,000 to each house if paid entirely by the developer.
Parnell said the nonprofit is not requesting county funding now but asked for permission to apply for a CDBG planning and infrastructure grant; the county’s regional planning commission (George Washington Regional Commission) would help prepare the application and provide technical assistance. Parnell told the board Exodus has held community input sessions and asserted the organization intends the project to be permanent homeownership rather than market rentals.
Supervisors and other board members pressed for additional details: how the nonprofit would target local workers legally (county staff and supervisors cautioned sellers cannot restrict purchasers based on occupation), whether deed covenants or resale restrictions could preserve affordability over time, potential impact on schools and public services, and how much county staff time would be required to support a grant application. Several board members and attendees urged Exodus to provide financial statements, a clear plan for resale or equity sharing (community land trust or resale formula) and a detailed estimate of any county staff time needed to support the grant application.
Parnell said Exodus has held community input sessions, will pursue fundraising if necessary and would work with regional partners; she requested the board’s approval to submit a CDBG application with regional commission assistance. The board did not vote during the meeting; supervisors asked the nonprofit to return with requested clarifications and documentation and to coordinate further with county staff and the regional commission.
