Henrico, community partners to host March 4 open house about  Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Qualifying homebuyers and home builders interested in Henrico County’s groundbreaking affordable housing initiative can get information on how to participate and ask questions about available homes at an event set for Wednesday, March 4. 

“Ready, Set, Close! First-Time Buyer Event” is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 North Laburnum Avenue. The information fair is free and open to the public and will be held as an open house; attendees are welcome to arrive at any time. 

Prospective homebuyers will be able to meet with staff from the county’s nonprofit partners including Partnership for Housing Affordability, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Virginia, Richmond Habitat for Humanity and Virginia Housing to discuss homeownership programs. 

Attendees also can learn about homes that are available or soon will be through the Henrico Affordable Housing Trust Fund from the program’s home builder partners, including HHHunt Homes, StyleCraft Homes, Ryan Homes and Center Creek Homes. 

The Henrico Affordable Housing Trust Fund is designed to help first-time homebuyers whose annual income falls below a certain level purchase a home in Henrico at a more affordable price, said Revitalization Specialist Emily Hurley. 

“At the Henrico Department of Community Revitalization, we understand that buying your first home has never been more challenging,” Hurley said. “The Henrico Affordable Housing Trust Fund seeks to increase the number of affordable homes and help county residents realize the dream of homeownership. We encourage prospective first-time buyers to attend the Ready, Set, Close! event.”

Hurley noted that the information fair also is open to home builders and developers who want to learn more about the incentives Henrico can offer for-profit and nonprofit builders and developers to create quality, affordable housing in the county. 

Ready, Set, Close! is designed to be accessible for everyone. People who may need accommodations are asked to contact Hurley by Friday, Feb. 26, at (804) 501-7612 or hur034@henrico.gov. 

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors announced the Henrico Affordable Housing Trust Fund in May 2024 to help residents priced out of the local housing market gain access to affordable homeownership. Since the trust fund’s establishment, 34 homes built with its support have been purchased at a reduced price by qualifying first-time homebuyers. Currently, another 349 homes are approved for funding through the trust fund.