After more than 10 years, Loudoun County, VA reopened its Housing Choice Voucher waitlist last year, allowing residents to apply for vital rental assistance. This year, the county is taking its program management to the next level by partnering with Neighborly Software to streamline operations and better serve its community.
Neighborly Software is proud to partner with Loudoun County to ensure the smooth and efficient administration of their HCV program and 17 other Housing and Community Development programs, making sure that the benefits of housing assistance reach those who need it most.
A Decade of Waiting: The Return of Housing Assistance in Loudoun
The reopening of the HCV waitlist marked a major milestone for residents of Loudoun County. With the last opportunity to apply for vouchers happening more than ten years ago, many local families had been waiting desperately for the chance to apply for this assistance.
Carolina, a resident who has lived in the area since 2002, shared with NBC4 Washington the relief this opportunity brings: “Sometimes I don’t have enough money to pay for food, and this is actually going to help me out.” Like many others, she camped out overnight in hopes of securing a place on the waitlist for her family.
How Housing Choice Vouchers Make a Difference
Housing Choice Vouchers do more than just provide rent subsidies. They offer low-income families, people with disabilities, and the elderly a chance at stability. By alleviating the stress of unaffordable rent, HCV recipients can invest in other crucial areas of their lives, such as education, health, and career development.
Access to stable, affordable housing is a stepping stone to improving overall material conditions. René, a long-time Loudoun County resident, explained how the program can make a real difference: “The cost of living keeps going up. People like us with low income cannot afford to buy houses. This program helps us stay afloat.”
For many voucher recipients, the benefits of the HCV program extend beyond rent assistance—it also provides the flexibility to move to neighborhoods with greater opportunities. A recent study, “Porting to Opportunity: An Analysis of Portability in the Housing Choice Voucher Program,” revealed that 38% of HCV recipients moved to new neighborhoods, with nearly 10% porting their vouchers to other jurisdictions. Of those who ported, a significant portion moved over 250 miles. These moves often led to improved neighborhood conditions, such as higher median incomes, lower poverty rates, and better educational opportunities.
Overwhelming Demand Highlights a Persistent Housing Crisis
When Loudoun County opened its waitlist, the response was overwhelming. Within two hours, the county reached its cutoff of 300 applications, with people waiting in long lines in the cold morning hours. The huge demand reflects the continuing housing affordability crisis, particularly in areas like Loudoun, where home prices and rent costs have skyrocketed.
The fact that so many people lined up overnight to apply for the waitlist illustrates how desperate the need for affordable housing has become, even in one of the most prosperous counties in the country.
How Neighborly Software is Helping Loudoun County Manage the Process
Administering a program of this scale requires a modern, efficient platform. With Neighborly Software’s all-in-one solution, Loudoun County’s housing authority can streamline application management, process rent subsidies smoothly and maintain compliance with federal regulations.
Our platform simplifies what would otherwise be an overwhelming administrative burden for the housing authority. It automates application processing, tracks tenant and landlord interactions, and ensures accurate reporting—all while keeping data secure. This is critical for teams who are tasked with managing large numbers of applicants and complex program requirements.
Looking Ahead
As more counties follow suit and reopen their waitlists, it’s clear that affordable housing programs remain a critical piece of the puzzle for ensuring economic stability and community well-being. With technology playing an increasingly important role in program administration, we’re proud to partner with local governments to bring innovative solutions to the forefront and help residents access the support they need.
