Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

The meeting, conducted virtually, focused heavily on the Program Performance and Evaluation (PPE) committee's role in monitoring Go Virginia grant projects. Key discussion points included the life cycle of a Go Virginia grant, from board definition of outcomes to the final performance closeout report. Committee members analyzed the two-part closeout process, comprising fiscal closeout and performance closeout, emphasizing the narratives detailing project outcomes and lessons learned. A significant portion of the discussion centered on return on investment (ROI) evaluation, specifically how to measure fiscal return to the commonwealth using employment and wages data, and whether to rerun ROI calculations at project close versus relying on initial projections. The structure of reimbursement-based grants and handling residual fund balances were also addressed. The committee determined that reviewing performance closeout narratives is a critical function of the PPE committee moving forward.

The documents pertain to a Board of Housing and Community Development meeting and public hearing scheduled for May 8, 2023, following a memorandum dated April 28, 2023. The meeting agenda includes a public hearing concerning proposed regulations for the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Amusement Device Regulations, and Industrialized Building Safety Regulations. The Housing and Community Development Committee portion of the meeting includes action items on the Enterprise Zone Periodic Review and the Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan. Additional materials cover the Enterprise Zone Grant Program Regulations periodic review, which staff recommends retaining without change despite a commenter suggesting clarification on eligible job definitions. There is also extensive material regarding the 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan and 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan, detailing funding allocations for CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA, and NHTF programs, and summarizing public input sessions. Finally, memorandums detail proposed editorial corrections for the 2021 final regulations across SFPC, USBC, and VPMC codes.

The meeting featured discussions and public comments primarily focused on the Homeworks Talent Development Project, designed to train a precision-built construction trades workforce in Southwest Virginia to address workforce demands in manufacturing and modular construction. Speakers strongly urged the board not to defer this project, highlighting its alignment with regional growth plans, partnership with industry and education, and its role in addressing critical statewide issues such as housing shortages and the lack of skilled trades talent. Commentary also included requests for reconsideration regarding the regional cap on planning grant funding, advocating for a performance-based allocation system. Furthermore, several written comments supported various AI education initiatives, specifically the Cyber Bites Foundation's AI mobile unit, emphasizing the urgent need for students to gain practical, ethical AI literacy for future employment.

This 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan outlines the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's strategies to address needs in affordable housing, homelessness, non-homeless special needs housing, and non-housing community development. It details the use of federal funds from HOME, NHTF, CDBG, ESG, and HOPWA, and emphasizes a comprehensive public participation process involving stakeholder consultations and public input sessions to inform policy and streamline federal grant management for partners.

The meeting included the annual election of officers, during which Mr. Berbert was re-elected as Chair and Mr. Jones as Vice Chair. The Board discussed and approved its remote participation policy and all-virtual meeting policy. Updates were provided on the current code development cycle, including various Sub-Workgroups and study groups. Ms. Neale highlighted the opening of the Affordable and Special Needs Housing grants. Mr. Snell shared updates from the Virginia Fire Services Board, including additional funds allocated to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Ms. Beal introduced herself as the new interim director and discussed building code development and staffing updates. Staff were asked to provide reference materials for acronyms used in relation to the Board.