Section 8 Program (Burke/West Springfield area) (Alexandria, Fairfax: apartments, rental, condo)

[Skapov]

Okay, here's the deal. My husband & I are in the process of buying a home in zip code 22152 (West Springfield), and we are a high-income professional couple HOWEVER we are trying to avoid the high cost of daycare for our 6mo. infant. Therefore, we have invited my mother to move out here, but she wants us to also help my younger sister to relocate to this area since the job market where they currently live (Michigan) is in the crapper.

My sister works in healthcare but does not have a college degree, and I'm assuming she can perhaps earn about $35-40k out here, but as a single mom with 2 kids (elementary aged) that doesn't go very far. And so I'm thinking she may qualify for Section 8 housing vouchers (see below link that I found) and I need to know if there are any apartments in Burke/West Springfield area that participate in the program. I have never had to look for affordable housing, and as far as I know there aren't any, but if anyone knows where you can rent a 2 bdrm apt. for about $1,000 or less (with good schools) please share the information as well. Thank you!

p.s. we can't have them being too far from Burke/West Springfield (Alexandria might be okay), as my mom will also help care for my neices after school, along with caring for my son.


www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rha/rentalhousingprograms/hcv.htm

[Tone509]

i don't know the direct answer to that question... but in one of the two big rental books around here - Apartment Guide and the Post's Apartment Showcase - some properties show "maximum income requirements" depending on how many people live there. That might be a place to start.

And because I can smell it coming... please save the comments about the virtues and vices of Section 8 housing for the Great Debates or Politics and Other Controversies forums. Thank you.

[gresan1]

Hi, you should look into HUD Section 8 is a federal program administered by them. I don't know what the processes are and what you have to do and how to qualify. I can say though that in West Springfield/Burke area (something tells me you live around there) is going to be extremely tough to find anything. Although I don't know what qualifies Section 8.
As mentioned above there is the Apartament Guide.
West Springfield: You should look into an apartment building between Rolling Road and Old Keene Mill. It's right behind Whole Foods and across from the new Police Station. They seem affordable. So they seem, I always pass them by. I used to live in West Springfield, my parents still do. I know the area a little well.

Burke: There are appartment buildings off Burke Centre. Never seem to know where though. I always get the Conservancy paper, might be in the Oaks or Woods Community. But I think they're Condo's only.
I live here and I still don't know where these are. Not as if I go exploring the whole of Burke.

[Yankeesfan]

Since you are so high-income please just pay for day-care. Your sister will find the cost of not just housing but everything else very high here. Why in good conscience would you import people who can't afford to live here and make them have to struggle even more (at taxpayer expense, no less) just because YOU don't want to pay for care for your own child?

[gresan1]

great answer, just what i was thinking...but then i try not to judge people's motives...much

[Tone509]

If I read the original post correctly, the OP's mother was who she intended to watch her child. Whether also relocating her sister's family is a firm precondition wasn't necessarily clear... and perhaps not our business.

That said, after re-reading the first post, I realized that I did not mention that finding a 2BR apt anywhere in Fairfax County for $1000, let alone Burke/West Springfield, will be difficult to impossible, unless there are subsidized programs that go beyond what is featured in the aforementioned apartment books. Your chances may improve in Prince William, Stafford and points south but the commute to the usual job centers would be a challenge... let alone the original purpose of being within "spitting distance" of family.

[claremarie]

There are generally waiting lists for section 8 housing, so you should check carefully into both eligibility and availability before moving your sister to this area. It is very unlikely that there will be ANY section 8 housing located within a reasonable distance of your future high-income neighborhood, and if your sister's children need to be transported to your house for after-school care, that would be a problem.
If you could find a 2 BR apartment for under $1000 in Alexandria, it would NOT be in the section with good schools.

[Yankeesfan]

Fairfax County is no longer accepting Section 8 applications:

Redevelopment and Housing Authority - Fairfax County, Virginia

Also applicants must already live or be employed by the county, to prevent people from moving here with the intention of taking advantage of subsidized housing.

[Fairfax Mom]

Why not just get a big mother/daughter home and have them both live with you?

[dkf747]

Try Springfield Square apartments located off Loisdale near Springfield Mall. Or try Fields of Alexandria. http://www.thefieldsapts.com/fields.aspx or http://www.thefieldsapts.com/locations.aspx