[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY ON 
                          ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fairfax 
County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) on the occasion of 
its 50th anniversary.
  Since 1966 the FCRHA has served the residents of Fairfax County by 
working to ensure that affordable housing is available to all who 
qualify. While this is admittedly a tall order and has only become more 
difficult over time, the FCRHA and the County's Department of Housing 
and Community Development have worked tirelessly to accomplish this 
laudable goal. In addition to their efforts to preserve and increase 
availability of affordable and workforce housing, the FCRHA and the HCD 
also oversee the community revitalization plans adopted by Fairfax 
County.
  As a former member and Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors, I can attest firsthand to the importance of the work 
carried out by both of these organizations. During my time as Chairman 
of the Board, I was proud to work with the FCRHA to preserve over 1,000 
affordable housing units in Fairfax County. Despite the economic 
prosperity we have experienced in Fairfax, we cannot allow this to 
obscure the very real fact that there are thousands in our community 
who still struggle to put a roof over their heads. Fortunately, that 
same prosperity has enabled the County to help ensure that all of its 
residents have access to safe and affordable housing.
  Since its founding, the FCRHA has grown from owning less than 250 
affordable housing units in 1972 to over 3,000 units in 2016. In 
addition, FCRHA administers more than 3,500 Housing Choice Vouchers, 
serving nearly 20,000 Fairfax County residents and has provided in 
excess of $500 million in bonds for both for-profit and non-profit 
housing developers.
  Its efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2012, the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development designated the FCRHA as a ``Moving-to-
Work'' agency in recognition of its efforts in the field of affordable 
housing. This is due in no small part to the leadership of its 
Chairman, Robert ``Bob'' Schwaninger. I commend him for that leadership 
and congratulate him on the success of FCRHA.
  Mr. Speaker, Fairfax County remains one of the best places in the 
country in which to live, work and raise a family. It has retained that 
distinction due in large part to the high quality of life enjoyed by 
all of its residents. What has always struck me about this community, 
and what I have always considered a key metric of civic health, is the 
degree to which this community gives back to those who are less 
fortunate. The commitment and effort to end homelessness and provide 
affordable and workforce housing options is just one examples of the 
generous spirit of Fairfax County, its employees, volunteers, and 
residents.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the FCRHA for its 
important work, in congratulating it on its 50th anniversary, and in 
wishing the organization great success in all future endeavors.

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