There is still time to apply for affordable housing

By Colleen Gundlach

The Foundation for Norfolk Living (FNL) has announced an extension to the deadline for applying to purchase a home in the Haystack Woods housing development. The original deadline of July 31 has been extended to Aug. 15.

Haystack Woods is located on Old Colony Road, within walking distance of the Norfolk village center, and more than half of the parcel is permanently protected by the Norfolk Land Trust. Ten affordable homeownership opportunities are currently available. These homes are net zero, which means the homes are designed to produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis.

Applicants must be first-time home buyers (no household member has owned a home in the past three years) and must have an income below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), but some of the homes have been set aside for households that earn below 60 percent of the AMI. In addition, this home must be the applicant’s primary residence.

After all applications have been received, all eligible applicants will be put into a lottery and those not selected will be put on a waiting list.

According to Kate Briggs Johnson, president of FNL, “These homes are ideal for people who enjoy living in a neighborhood setting and appreciate energy efficiency and green technology.” The houses will be part of the Norfolk Sewer District and public water supply.

Anyone interested in applying for homeownership at Haystack Woods is advised to visit the FNL website at norfolkliving.org/haystack-woods-net-zero-homes/.