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Floyd supervisors authorize staff to pursue grant for workforce housing on county land
Summary
After a multi-hour briefing, the Floyd County Board authorized staff to gather application materials and further study a Phase 1 workforce-housing grant for a county-owned parcel, backing a concept that could provide up to 23 homes if state and federal funding are secured.
The Floyd County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 18 authorized staff to prepare a grant application and further technical work to pursue a workforce-housing project on county-owned land.
County planning staff and consultants presented three development concepts and a phasing plan, and recommended a linear ‘‘Concept D’’ that concentrates housing on the northern half of the parcel to take advantage of gravity sewer and existing water infrastructure. Consultant Chris (presentation speaker) said the preferred Phase 1 footprint would accommodate up to 23 lots and would keep recreation space on the southern portion of the site.
Adena, who introduced the proposal, told the board employers describe the housing shortage as their top local concern and asked for a “green light” to pursue competitive grants that would pay for roads, utilities and site work but not house construction. Chris said typical grants being pursued — community development block grants and Appalachian Regional Commission funds — could cover site infrastructure costs; staff said the grants do not require a local cash match in the programs discussed.
Board members questioned road ownership and VDOT acceptance, the likelihood that grinder pumps would be needed in low-lying areas, impacts to nearby roads (Crestview Drive) and whether houses built with subsidy could be flipped or used as short-term rentals. Staff and the consultant said VDOT acceptance is an early design consideration, bonds and developer requirements would guard against unfinished roads, and funding agreements and deed covenants tied to grant rules commonly limit resale or require long-term affordability covenants.
The board voted to authorize staff to proceed with gathering the pre-application and technical work for the Phase 1, Concept D scenario (up to 23 units) and to return with more precise cost estimates and an RFP strategy for development partners. The motion as finalized authorized staff to prepare the application materials and to conduct community engagement and additional engineering; the roll call for that motion recorded votes in favor from the five members present.
What’s next: staff will complete further geotechnical and environmental studies, refine cost estimates and produce alternative scenarios (e.g., 10–15 units and 23-unit phases) for board review before any application is submitted. A full construction program and developer commitment would still be required before site work begins; board members stressed that grant awards and partner commitments will determine the project’s feasibility.
