Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund has committed $55 million to the Dominion Square affordable housing project in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The plan calls for two high-rise apartment towers that will bring over 500 new affordable housing units within walking distance of a Silver Line Metro stop in Tysons. “In addition to that, this project will also include a 30,000-square-foot community center co-located on the property,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay.
“We believe it’s an investment in people, an investment in our economy, an investment in equity and opportunity. And certainly, if you look at the workforce challenges that everyone is facing and that we’re acutely aware of in Fairfax County, we know that availability of affordable housing is one of those challenges that people face when wanting to come here to fill those jobs. There is a direct, direct economic benefit of this.
Dominion Square is the first and largest fully-committed affordable housing development in Tysons corner. He said it would serve residents at various income levels from “below 30% to 60% of AMI” (area median income). He also addressed the economic benefits of having more affordable units, saying that the people filling the homes will also want to fill nearby jobs.
“We want to create the types of communities where everyone has opportunity,” said Brian Stout, senior manager of public policy for Amazon. “This is truly a unique project not just in location — that it’s in the urban center, near transit, close to the job centers — but it also provides new onsite resources for the community to empower and enrich their lives.”
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly called the goal “the most ambitious of any jurisdiction in the region” and highlighted the cost of housing in Tysons, calling it very expensive.
“It is a signal accomplishment that Fairfax County, in partnership with Amazon, with our housing authority, is able to celebrate both phases of this project right in the heart of our commercial center. That is a statement,” Connolly said.
Amazon is certainly making a lot of moves in the DC/NoVa area to make their presence known. The Arlington County Board voted unanimously to approve the Silicon Valley’s plans for development at Amazon’s HQ2, including the Helix, an up to 350-foot high spiral-shaped tower with indoor meeting spaces and a walking paths on the outside. The PenPlace plan also includes three 22-story office buildings, public park space, and retail pavilions. (RELATED: Amazon Approved to Build New HQ2 in Arlington)
County leaders are hoping to break ground on the apartments later this year.