The Village at King Farm: Workforce Housing Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

High housing costs in Montgomery County limit housing options for workers. A new Workforce Housing Program (WFH) targets families earning between 70 percent and 120 percent of the area median income. The first homes to be sold as Workforce Housing were acquired, developed and resold through a partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) and the Housing Opportunities of Montgomery County (HOC). Montgomery County and HOC utilized local legislation that gives the County and HOC a right of first refusal to purchase a 49-unit rental community, convert the apartments to condominium units and resell the homes at workforce prices. Local county workers receive priority in buying. Twelve condominiums are set aside for households containing at least one household member who is employed by the city of Rockville and 24 condominiums are set aside for purchase by employees of other County related services. Purchasers are chosen through a weighted selection drawing providing a purchasing priority to income eligible potential buyers. The project, known as The Village at King Farm, is the first WFH Program of its kind for Montgomery County.