AGENDA DATE: 7/15/2026
TITLE:
Employer Assisted Housing Program Ordinance
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adoption of ordinance establishing an employer assisted housing program
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Dimock, Herrick
PRESENTER (S): Kaki Dimock
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On June 17, 2026, the Board of Supervisors authorized staff to use $840,000 in appropriated funds in the Albemarle Housing Investment Fund (AHIF), previously authorized for staff-initiated housing projects, to establish an Employer Assisted Housing Program Pilot between July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2031. An ordinance is required to move forward with program implementation, which the Board of Supervisors requested as an action item on the regular agenda.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety and Well-being: Nurture a safe and healthy community
DISCUSSION: This ordinance establishes an Employer Assisted Housing Program which will be piloted between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031 with annual reports to the Board of Supervisors on participation rates, progress, and barriers to implementation.
Regular, full-time Albemarle County employees with household incomes below 80% of area median income will be eligible to apply for down payment assistance. Regular, full-time Albemarle County employees with household incomes below 60% of area median income, and whose housing costs are more than 50% of their income, will be eligible to apply for one-time rental assistance. Additional eligibility requirements will be established in the program guidelines provided to employees as part of the pilot implementation. A loan committee will review and consider applications for both types of assistance and will include representatives from the County Attorney’s Office, Human Resources, Office of Housing, and Department of Finance and Budget.
BUDGET IMPACT: If approved, $840,000 remaining in the FY2026 appropriated AHIF would be sequestered for exclusive use for the administration of this employer assisted housing program between July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2031.
RECOMMENDATION:.
Staff recommends the Board adopt the ordinance (Attachment A) establishing the Albemarle County Employer Assisted Housing Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Ordinance