Orange County to schedule public hearing on Encompass request to form regional housing authority

Orange County staff told the Board of Supervisors that Encompass Community Supports has been operating in the region in many of the functions of a housing authority and seeks formal approval as a regional housing authority so it can receive tax‑credit funding for a planned demolition and replacement of a condemned sheltering facility in the Town of Orange.

County administration explained that Virginia housing tax credits require a housing authority as the recipient and that creating a regional housing authority would require at least two participating jurisdictions; Encompass proposed Orange County join Madison County and appoint representatives from each locality to the new authority’s governing board. Staff said the arrangement would not require Orange County to fund the entity but would involve entering into a memorandum of understanding naming Encompass as the administrative agent.

Next steps: Staff asked whether the board wanted more information or wished to schedule the required public hearing. A supervisor recommended moving forward and the board reached consensus to have staff schedule a public hearing on Jan. 14 so the matter can be formally considered and public testimony heard.

Context: County staff said building plans for the Encompass project have been approved and that Encompass has identified funding streams, but that formal housing authority status is required as the recipient of certain tax credits. The county noted that legal counsel has produced a memo describing the relevant Code of Virginia provisions and the steps required for public notice and hearing.