USVI housing agencies ask for steady funding as federal cuts loom

The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA) presented their fiscal 2026 budgets to the Legislature’s Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on July 21, saying local appropriations and federal grants are both essential to keep programs and construction on track.

VIHFA Executive Director Eugene Jones Jr. said VIHFA’s proposed operating budget for FY2026 is $28,924,234, including a requested $2,000,000 from the general fund. Jones told the committee VIHFA expects other revenue from stamp tax collections, home sales, commercial leases, mortgages and federal reimbursements. “The authority was projected to receive $5,000,000 in stamp tax revenue for fiscal year 2024,” Jones said, and his office is seeking a multi‑year balance owed by government. Jones said the general fund appropriation has historically funded salaries and fringe for about 20 locally funded positions.

VIHA Executive Director Dwayne Alexander described the housing authority’s operating and capital needs across public housing and voucher programs and said the agency currently has a “troubled” HUD designation but is working to improve its score. Alexander said the authority manages roughly 2,129 public housing units in 18 communities and said capital fund and HUD allocations are needed to preserve units and proceed with redevelopment projects. He listed active redevelopment and…