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We’re back with another episode of the Potomac Local Podcast, where we connect our communities one story at a time. In this episode, Uriah Kiser, founder of Potomac Local News, sits down with Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, to discuss critical issues facing Prince William County.
Chair Jefferson made history on January 1, 2024, as the first Black person elected to this role. Her journey—from a single mother saving for homeownership to a community leader—informs her commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis, workforce housing solutions, and planning for future infrastructure needs.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The proposed Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit Ordinance and its impact on residents and local workers like teachers, police, and firefighters.
- Balancing affordable housing with school capacity concerns and infrastructure development in growing areas like Brentsville.
- The ongoing debate over the Bi-County Parkway extension to ease congestion on Route 28.
- Chair Jefferson’s favorite local restaurants—from the western side of the county to the east.
Jefferson also shares her vision for ensuring Prince William County residents can live where they work. This focus prioritizes local families and community safety: “We have cost-burdened households spending more than 30% of their income on housing. We need solutions now, said Chair Deshundra Jefferson
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On December 2, 2024, local and state officials gathered at the Kelly Leadership Building for the annual Joint Legislative Meeting. The discussion focused on the county's legislative priorities, spotlighting affordable housing and immediate housing assistance for residents in crisis.
Affordable housing has taken center stage in Prince William County in recent weeks. During their November 19, 2024, meeting, the Board of County Supervisors discussed a proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance to increase the availability of affordable housing units and establish a Housing Trust Fund to support development efforts.
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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors discussed a proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance during their meeting on November 19, 2024. The ordinance aims to address housing affordability challenges by increasing the availability of affordable housing units within the county and implementing a Housing Trust Fund to bolster development efforts.
The ADU Ordinance would allow developers to include affordable units within new residential developments voluntarily. Although mandatory ADU policies exist in other jurisdictions, Prince William County cannot enforce such measures under Virginia state law. Instead, the county incentivizes developers to participate by offering benefits such as expedited permitting processes, reduced fees, and increased development flexibility.
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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will address three significant topics during their meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, reflecting a focus on housing, infrastructure, and community development.
1. Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance Presentation
The Board will discuss a proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit (AfDU) Ordinance designed to expand the county's supply of affordable housing for residents earning 50% to 80% of the area median income. Highlights include:
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Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair, at-large Deshundra Jefferson, is on the mend after having had surgery for Crohn’s disease. This chronic inflammatory bowel condition has affected her health over the past two years.
Now two weeks post-surgery, Jefferson reports feeling “pretty good” and looks forward to resuming her duties full-time, including attending Zoom meetings and tackling a backlog of emails next week. Despite her temporary absence, Jefferson is grateful for her colleagues, especially Supervisor Boddye, who stepped up in her absence, as well as her staff, friends, and supportive 16-year-old son. “These things are kind of frightening until you actually go through them,” she shared, noting the relief of finally addressing symptoms that had worsened over the past few months.
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The Fredericksburg City Council recently heard an update on the ongoing Community Health Assessment from Rappahannock Area Health District Director Dr. Oleg Benga Obasanyo.
Obasanyo's presentation focused on the progress made since the last health assessment and the priorities identified for improving the well-being of the Fredericksburg community and surrounding areas. The three main priorities—mental health, affordable housing, and access to healthcare—remain focal points for improvement.
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At the October 15, 2024, Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting, pressing housing issues took center stage as the county faces an unprecedented demand for emergency housing assistance and a growing crisis of affordability for senior citizens.
The county’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program received an overwhelming number of applications in just one week, with over 500 households seeking support. Joan Duckett, Director of the Office of Housing, reported that this surge in applications reflects the mounting challenges faced by low-income and at-risk populations, including those threatened with homelessness. This rapid influx underscores the urgency of the housing crisis in Prince William, where increasing rent prices have made stable housing out of reach for many residents.
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Prince William County residents are invited to attend a Multi-District Town Hall on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. Supervisors Yesli Vega, Tom Gordy, and Bob Weir of the Coles, Brentsville, and Gainesville districts will lead a discussion on community safety and the proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance.
The event, which will occur at Unity Reed High School near Manassas, is designed to allow residents to voice their concerns, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the proposed ordinance.
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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday to consider a proposal to rezone 9.92 acres of agricultural land to mixed residential use. This would pave the way for a new affordable housing project at 14698 Telegraph Road in Woodbridge. Evergreen at Telegraph Road is poised to feature 311 multifamily units, including 31 designated as affordable housing.
The proposed site is located on the west side of Telegraph Road, approximately 791 feet south of the intersection with Opitz Boulevard, near the OmniRide Transit Center. The rezoning application, #REZ2023-00013, seeks to change the land use from A-1 (Agricultural) and B-1 (General Business) to PMR (Planned Mixed Residential).
According to the rezoning application, the new development will contribute to the County's efforts to increase affordable housing. The project includes 31 affordable dwelling units (ADUs), with 15 units available to households earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI) and 16 units for households earning up to 120% of AMI.
