Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund Grant

The Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund (CAHF) Grant Program is a city-funded initiative designed to support the development and preservation of affordable housing within the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. Administered by the City’s Housing Division, the CAHF program plays a pivotal role in realizing the goals of Charlottesville’s Affordable Housing Plan and broader strategic documents such as the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Framework. The fund provides critical financial support to nonprofit and eligible for-profit housing developers engaged in projects that serve low- to moderate-income households. This grant program focuses primarily on capital development activities including the new construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing units. Eligible uses also encompass pre-development expenses such as architectural planning, zoning reviews, and energy efficiency enhancements. The overarching objective is to increase the affordable housing supply, promote long-term affordability—especially for households earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI)—and prevent the displacement of vulnerable residents. The program aligns closely with strategic community goals around housing equity, neighborhood stabilization, and climate resilience. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and for-profit developers who are actively engaged in affordable housing work. Individuals and businesses not involved in housing development are not eligible to apply. Projects must be located within Charlottesville city limits and must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Additionally, the funding distribution is structured to ensure that 50% of CAHF resources support households earning up to 30% AMI, 30% for those earning up to 60% AMI, and 20% for households up to 80% AMI. The application process for FY2027 CAHF funding opens on October 21, 2025, and closes on November 21, 2025. All applications must be submitted via the City's Neighborly online portal, and applicants are required to include all supporting documentation at the time of submission. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The anticipated funding availability date is July 1, 2026, and approximately $823,000 is expected to be disbursed under this cycle. Once submitted, applications will undergo a review process by the City and associated committees. All funded projects are subject to compliance monitoring, including quarterly reporting and annual site visits. Noncompliance may result in delayed payments or clawbacks of disbursed funds. The program contact for CAHF-related inquiries is Madelyn Metzler, Housing Compliance Coordinator, who can be reached at (434) 970-3618 or via email at metzlerm@charlottesville.gov. The CAHF program is an annually recurring funding opportunity. Based on its current cadence and the close of the FY2027 application in November 2025, the next cycle is anticipated to open in October 2026. This regular schedule allows developers and nonprofit housing organizations to align long-term planning efforts with the City’s funding timelines, fostering a sustainable and inclusive housing ecosystem.

Ensure timely submission through the Neighborly portal with all documents; incomplete applications will not be reviewed.