WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin, Chair Pro Temp of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, issued several major directives impacting several areas of need for Prince William County. These initiatives include the creation of a Racial and Social Justice Commission, a Prince William County Health Department, and an Affordable Housing Program.

Racial and Social Justice Commission

Yesterday the Board of County Supervisors approved of a Racial and Social Justice Commission. This 12-member commission will analyze and make recommendations to improve policies and practices throughout the county government services, the police department, and in Prince William County Schools. This commission will consist of 8 county residents (each appointed by the Board of Supervisors), Police Chief, County Executive, Human Rights Chair, and a representative for Prince William County Schools. The terms of the membership will be coterminous with the BOCS. For those who are interested in learning more about participating in the commission, please contact Supervisor Franklin’s office at WoodbridgeDistrict@pwcgov.org.

Prince William County Health Department

Supervisor Franklin has issued a directive to begin the process of establishing a local health department for Prince William County. Franklin released this statement: “This past year we have seen the devastating effects of Covid-19 all over the world. In Virginia, each locality has responded to the pandemic in various ways. Here in Prince William County, with a population of almost half a million, we need the capacity to effectively handle and manage our own health operations without depending on resources from the commonwealth. Our priority must be to take care of our residents and ensure a streamlined process to handle such situations.”

Affordable Housing

On April 21, 2020 Supervisor Franklin issued directives as part of an Affordable Housing Initiative, Directive 20-25 and Directive 20-26. DIR 20-25 (Vacant Housing Stock Project), directed staff to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing vacant residential housing stock as part of a local affordable housing program, to include data on vacant residential properties. While DIR 20-26 (Affordable Housing Trust Fund) directed staff to determine the feasibility of establishing a local housing trust fund to support a local affordable housing program.

At last week’s board meeting, Supervisor Franklin issued follow up directives to continue this process including:

1. A directive to update the 2004 Workforce/Affordable Housing Task Force Report and 2012 Affordable Housing Analysis Report, to include an update on data regarding vacant residential properties, and
2. A directive for staff to submit an Affordable Housing (ADU) policy and Affordable Housing (ADU) ordinance for approval by the board by the end of winter 2021.

“As a Supervisor, it is my duty to ensure the wellbeing of our county and residents. Therefore, it is vital to ensure a better quality of life for our ever-increasing diversity here in Prince William County, regardless of race or socioeconomic background,” said Supervisor Franklin.