Fairfax Presbyterian Church, at 10723 Main St. and Presbyterian Way in Fairfax City, has donated some 1.6 acres of its land for affordable homes, called Glebe View Townhouses, to be built there. Habitat for Humanity NOVA is the developer, and nonprofit Homestretch/Sacred Homes will own two of the houses. HomeAid will provide building materials and tradesman expertise at reduced prices.

Constructed will be 10, brick-exterior, three-level townhouses, each with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus one-car garages and driveways. Ten visitor parking spaces will go on the western side of the property, and a new, 30-space parking area – including much-needed, handicap-accessible spaces – will be built in the southwest corner for the church’s use. A walking path will go around the 8.25-acre church property, and there’ll be two stormwater-management facilities where today there are none.

To help keep utility bills low, the builder will incorporate energy-efficient construction practices, appliances and lighting – including rooftop solar panels for all townhouses. The communal green area in front of the townhouses will include a pergola, solar pathway lights, benches and landscaping. 

The townhomes will go on the property’s east side, adjacent to the Cameron Glen townhouse community. A sidewalk with steps will connect the church with the nearby Autumn Woods community. And a connection on the north side of the townhouses to the adjacent, existing trail by Accotink Creek will also be added.

Eight of the units will be sold to Habitat NOVA families earning less than the area median income. Habitat homeowners will work alongside other volunteers to help build their homes, and sale prices will be below market value because the church is providing the land. The other two units will be rentals and will be sold to Homestretch for its Sacred Homes program lifting families out of poverty.