Fauquier Goes After Foreclosure Funds

I mentioned in a recent blog post that the Commonwealth of Virginia is desperately seeking a home for monies from the federal government, as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, designed to help localities buy up foreclosed properties.

Hallelujah! Fauquier County is going after that money! Kristen Slawter has been working on this for the county and will be putting together a grant application of up to $2 million to buy properties in Remington and Bealeton.

I hope there's a lot of local support for this effort. There is an informational meeting being held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15th at 10 Hotel Street in Warrenton.

These homes would be rehabbed if necessary and then sold to local low or moderate income residents. There's a huge need for more affordable housing in the county. If we can get people homes and reduce the number of foreclosures I think we've got a win/win for everyone!

RE: Fauquier Goes After Foreclosure Funds

Julie,

The taxpayers are getting soaked in all of this. I think Fauquier County should be ashamed of itself for taking this money.

You say one one hand that we "need affordable housing", and on the other that governments should prop up the housing market (i.e. keep prices high by buying in).

Also, who chooses who is "worthy" to receive these funds? If a person can't afford a home on his own, can he really afford the home? There is upkeep and taxes, after all. There have been studies that show that homeownership isn't always a good thing for the poor. In fact, it has the tendency to tie them down to an area when a job might be awaiting them somewhere else.

Doesn't Habitat for Humanity do a lot of good in this area? Why oh why do we need federal money?

You're cheering on a County for "going after" OUR money! I can't believe you're cheering the prospect of taking yet money from Americans. It's not even "real" money -- our country is in terrible debt!