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Manassas Park expands workforce-dwelling eligibility to all city employees
Summary
Council approved a resolution to broaden eligibility for the workforce dwelling-unit (WDU) program to all full-time city employees after staff reported current job-class restrictions left few applicants; program rules require first-time homebuyer status, a 620 FICO minimum, under 80% AMI, $2,000 earnest money, and a 1% down payment.
The Manassas Park City Council voted to amend the city's committed attainable for-sale housing policy to expand workforce dwelling-unit (WDU) eligibility to any city employee who otherwise meets the policy's financial and program criteria.
Staff explained the background: the policy adopted in September 2024 included affordable and workforce dwelling-unit provisions meant to support homeownership and wealth building. Under the earlier WDU eligibility list (teachers, police, firefighters, EMTs and certain social services staff), staff said most applicants did not qualify because those classifications often exceed the income thresholds.
The city's presenter described program eligibility rules discussed at the meeting: applicants must be first-time homebuyers, attend required classes, have a minimum FICO score of 620, be below 80% area median income (AMI), provide $2,000 in earnest money, and a 1% down payment (which staff said could amount to roughly $5,000–$6,500 depending on the unit). Staff reported two ADU units had qualified families and one WDU unit had no eligible applicants when the agenda was finalized.
To address the shortfall of eligible WDU applicants, staff recommended and the council approved expanding WDU eligibility to all full-time city employees. Councilmembers asked about part-time employees (staff said part-time employees likely would not qualify because of income and underwriting), possible conversion of unsold WDU units to ADUs, preferred-lender partnerships, developer deadlines and flexibility, and whether the city could provide classes via partner agencies. Staff said there is a contractual deadline for selling units but developers (Stanley Martin was named) have provided some flexibility and that the city can explore conversions or additional outreach.
The resolution passed by voice vote; the council directed staff to implement the amended eligibility in accordance with the policy criteria and to pursue outreach to eligible employees and residents where appropriate.
What happens next: staff said it would perform outreach to city employees, coordinate with program staff (DSS and the program manager), and bring back any implementation steps required by procurement or contract timelines.
