Historically, Fredericksburg's fortunes have been closely related to its function as a transportation hub. Today, major north and south highways as well as the railroad ensure the city's continued prominence in the rapidly developing Northern Virginia area.
The Consolidated Plan for Fredericksburg has a budget of $264,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The city of Fredericksburg developed its Consolidated Plan with active participation of its citizens, neighborhood civic associations, service providers, and local nonprofit organizations. Organizations consulted during the planning process included: the Rappahannock Area Development Commission, Rappahannock Community Services Board, the Central Virginia Housing Coalition, the Salvation Army, the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter, Hope House, the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence, Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services, the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging, Rappahannock Legal Services, the disAbility Resource Center, and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
The city council hosted a public hearing and a summary of the plan was printed in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star. Copies of the plan are available at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
In 1990 Fredericksburg's population was 19,027, which reflected a 24.2-percent increase since 1980. African Americans made up nearly 22 percent of the total population, and Hispanics and Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders accounted for 1.1 percent each. Minorities were concentrated in various sections of the city, including Mayfield, lower Clarke Street, the Bragg Hill development and Heritage Park complex off Fall Hill Avenue.
According to the 1990 census, 4,671 units were for rent compared with 2,779 owner-occupied units, reflecting a 37-percent homeownership rate. Six percent of Hispanic and 31 percent of African-American households owned their homes.
Of the 7,469 total households in Fredericksburg in 1990, 2,906 had low incomes (51-80 percent of the median family income [MFI]). Another 1,273 households had moderate incomes (51-80 percent of MFI).
While Fredericksburg's population increased 24 percent between 1980 and 1990, the growth was slower than that of the surrounding counties, where many city residents moved to newly built subdivisions. Spotsylvania County's population increased by 79 percent, and Stafford County's population grew by 51 percent.
Housing development in Fredericksburg grew rapidly to keep pace with the population growth during the past two decades. The development, however, has been predominantly townhouse and apartment complexes other than housing that is typically owner-occupied.
Despite rapid growth, the recent annexation of a relatively undeveloped area has kept Fredericksburg's residential density lower than that of cities of comparable size. Of the total 8,063 housing units in 1990, 58 percent were multifamily and 42 percent were single-family detached units. In 1990 the census reported a 7.6-percent vacancy rate in Fredericksburg.
Between 1980 and 1990, local housing values more than doubled, from $48,700 to a 1990 average of $104,900. These figures represented an increase of 115 percent; the statewide average was 89 percent. Average rents also increased to $461 in 1990 for a one-bedroom unit.
Of the 639 renter households that were extremely low-income (0-30 percent of MFI), 62 percent were cost-burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and 52 percent were severely cost-burdened, paying 50 percent of their income on housing. Fourteen percent of all households were extremely low-income renter households, but 17 percent of all African Americans were in the same income category. Overcrowding in rental properties affected 2.5 percent of the extremely low-income households; more than half of these were large families.
Extremely low-income owner-occupied households, consisting mostly of elderly persons, had more difficulty paying for housing than renters did. Almost three out of four such households paid more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Almost 6 percent of all owners had extremely low incomes, but 10 percent of all African-American homeowners had extremely low incomes. While 5.5 percent of all extremely low-income owners households experienced overcrowding, 17 percent of extremely low-income owners, other than the elderly, experienced overcrowding.
Among those in the low-income category, which had a disproportionate number of African Americans and Hispanics, 626 households rented and 204 owned their homes. Almost 80 percent of the low-income rental households had cost burdens in excess of 30 percent of their incomes. About 36 percent of the large families in this income category were overcrowded. Among low-income homeowners who had no overcrowding, 41 percent had cost burdens in excess of 30 percent of their incomes, and most were elderly.
A precise count of homeless persons was not possible, but the 1990 census figure of 60 unsheltered persons is probably valid, based on local records and experience. The area had 3 shelters with a total of 128 individual spaces. The Thurman Brisben Shelter, which reported serving an average of 47 persons a night, did not operate at capacity. This shelter did not have space for families. Families with children were offered shelter at Hope Home and the Haven, operated by the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence. Because the Haven has limited spaces, many families were forced to return to abusive homes. The Salvation Army reported serving seven persons per night during 1994. Hope House, the only transitional house in Fredericksburg, offered space for 30 to 35 families.
In 1993, 53 homeless individuals with disabilities were identified, and 39 of them received support. One-third of these individuals were mentally ill and half were substance abusers.
Fredericksburg has no public housing. The city has 80 percent of the planning district's assisted housing, including 92 Section 8 rental assistance certificates and vouchers as well as 757 subsidized housing units. The waiting list for the Section 8 program in 1992 had 138 households; 82 percent were African American, while 78 percent were single parents.
Subsidized housing units were located throughout the city, including: Forest Village, Hazel Hill, Heritage Park, Mill Park Terrace, Belmont Apartments, and Cedar Ridge Apartments. Over the next 5 years, 348 units may be lost: 146 units at Hazel Hill and 202 at Heritage Park.
The Consolidated Plan identified the following barriers to affordable housing in Fredericksburg:
In 1990 the Central Virginia Housing Coalition conducted a survey of lending practices in Fredericksburg. The research found that more loans were granted for homes in predominantly white neighborhoods than for those in minority communities.
The Rappahannock Area Bankers Association was created to assess area needs related to discrimination. The association has met with local neighborhood groups, housing agencies, and city officials to develop appropriate community lending responses.
According to a city analysis conducted in 1990, 3,733 housing units in the city of Fredericksburg contained lead-based paint hazards. The Regional Health Department lacked the resources to effectively investigate the scope of the area's lead problems. To date, it has confirmed only one case of child lead poisoning in Fredericksburg.
Limited testing has been conducted in Fredericksburg. Community development staff have conducted lead-based paint testing in conjunction with its housing rehabilitation program. Because private physicians conduct blood tests for lead poisoning, many low-income families do not seek help.
Among persons with special needs, the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging reported that 70 elderly persons received meals, 35 received transportation services, 33 benefited from homemaker services, and 18 needed emergency services. The agency estimates that 36 persons need supportive housing.
The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) has determined that 258 persons with mental or developmental disabilities throughout the planning district need supportive housing. In Fredericksburg alone, RACSB houses 33 persons in group homes, supervised apartments, and Section 8 units. Similar housing is needed for 26 other people in the city. In addition, 78 people in State institutions who are planning to take up residence in the district need supportive housing. Another 64 residents who are mentally ill or mentally retarded are living with aging or ill caregivers; they may need assistance when the caregivers can no longer care for them.
The disAbility Resource Center estimates that 80 persons need housing modifications to ensure independent living currently or in the near future. Accessible rental housing is also needed.
Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services served over 50 clients during 1994. It provides prevention education as well as support services such as transportation, housecleaning, meal preparation, household assistance, and emotional support. Although it does not provide housing, it tries to subsidize or locate housing for clients as needed.
The Consolidated Plan identified the following community development needs:
The Consolidated Plan for the city of Fredericksburg identified the following housing priorities:
The Consolidated Plan identified the following community development priorities:
The city of Fredericksburg's antipoverty strategy is aimed at reducing concentrations of low-income persons by providing assistance to households near or below the poverty line through its housing programs and services. Among the specific goals cited in the plan are:
In addition to the Federal funding potentially available to support housing or community development activities, Fredericksburg could also make use of the following State programs:
Local programs include:
Assistance also comes from for-profit concerns such as the Rappahannock Area Bankers Association, which is looking into creating a community development corporation to support housing development partnerships between the local lenders and communities.
Nonprofit organizations provide financial as well as social service resources. Lend-A-Hand provides interest-free loans to qualifying families threatened with eviction or foreclosure. These funds are raised locally by the Central Virginia Housing Coalition with assistance from the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors and the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. The Fredericksburg Area Builders Association created the Streets of Accessibility Program to provide homeownership opportunities for local families. The association's Affordable Housing Committee selects a subdivision for a project, and a number of builders commit their companies to building a home there. Homes are built to the same standards as other subdivision homes but are sold at prices significantly lower than market value.
The city of Fredericksburg works in collaboration with various agencies and organizations in the implementation of the Consolidated Plan. Overall, the coordination between the major service providers is decentralized.
The Consolidated Plan for Fredericksburg identified the following key projects:
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
