Progress has continued on the area Affordable Housing Coalition to determine necessary strategies to alleviate housing needs in Prince Edward County, according to Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC) Executive Director Melody Foster in a May 8 memorandum.

According to Foster, the coalition met April 23. A housing survey was distributed online and to places in the county. Completed surveys, the memorandum cited, are being compiled.

Three focus group meetings were held with area businesses, anchor institutions and real estate representatives April 25.

Advisers from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) are compiling survey results and information from the focus group meetings. Advisers, according to the memorandum, are also compiling information about the county itself to include in documents related to a housing study in Prince Edward.

VHDA awarded a grant in December 2018 that will help Prince Edward County and the Town of Farmville organize a strategic plan to address affordable housing needs in the county.

VHDA awarded STEPS, Inc. and the Affordable Housing Coalition $20,000 to develop the plan, according to an announcement of the award provided by STEPS.

“STEPS, Inc. submitted a Community Impact Grant to VHDA with the assistance of the Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC),” the announcement cited. “Advisers will assist STEPS and the newly formed Affordable Housing Coalition to seek countywide input to identify and clearly define housing needs; create a local asset map of existing housing strengths and assets; develop a housing resource guide; conduct a market needs and gap analysis to determine market demand and potential styles for development; as well as developing a Prioritized Plan for execution of affordable housing options.”

The VHDA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1972 by the Commonwealth of Virginia to help those in Virginia, according to the VHDA website, “attain quality, affordable housing.”