PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Prince William County used to be considered one of the more "affordable" places to live in Northern Virginia, but county officials say that's changed. Rising housing costs have priced out many of the county's essential workers, including police officers, firefighters and teachers, forcing them to commute further to their jobs.
Now, one county official has a plan to bring those workers home.
Prince William County Police Chief Peter Nerwsham said housing affordability -- not availability -- is one of the biggest issues his officers face when choosing where to live.
"If they can't get a house within a certain price range, they’re gonna move south," Newsham said. "A majority of our officers do not live in the county, and if you ask them, they’ll tell you they don’t live here because it's so expensive."
PWC Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Deshundra Jefferson said the issue extends beyond the police department, and she has heard similar complaints from teachers and firefighters, too.
"The median price for a house in Prince William County is half a million dollars," Jefferson said. "They’re already working here, iif they want to live here, let's make it possible for them to do so.”
The starting salary for PWCPD officers is $62,000, while firefighters are making close to $53k to start and teachers start at a little over $57,000.
Jefferson has proposed creating a housing downpayment program specifically for first responders and educators.
“Loudoun County has a similar program where they are offering downpayment grants to people, so we are going to be looking at how much should we offer [and] what should the qualifications be," Jefferson said. "Imagine hearing that someone puts on their uniform and is putting their life on the line ... I just felt like this is least we can do.”
The board proposal is still in its infancy stages, but wouldn't be voted on or added to the budget until next year.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.