ALbemarle County, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County’s Director of Communications, Abbey Stumpf, joined a WINA Morning News to discuss important updates on two key initiatives: the county’s septic-to-sewer program and efforts to improve affordable housing. 

Stumpf explained that in fiscal year 2023, the Board of Supervisors allocated $1 million to the septic-to-sewer program, intended to replace failing septic systems in rural areas with sewer hookups. However, the program has seen limited interest, with outreach to over 250 households resulting in assistance for just eight homes. “The interest wasn’t as high as they anticipated,” Stumpf noted, adding that the remaining funds will be reallocated to new programs aimed at helping more residents. 

On the housing front, the county is applying for a $6.5 million grant to boost affordable housing through its “Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing” (PRO) initiative. The funds would provide low- or zero-interest loans to developers, support landlords in making repairs, and explore the feasibility of developing affordable housing on county-owned land. “This would give our housing program some levers to pull as they’re working through providing and identifying more affordable housing in our area,” Stumpf explained. 

Both initiatives reflect the county’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and housing access for its residents. Listen to the full conversation here: