By JIM BUTLER

The City of Alexandria plans to shift housing grant funds from new construction assistance to existing structures rehabilitation.

Moving the money reflects a greater demand/need for overhauling owner-occupied structures than for new construction.

A hearing on the proposal will be held November 19 at 3 p.m. at the city’s Community Development office, 625 Murray St., third floor.

Involved is moving $25,000 from HOME new construction assistance to minor rehabilitation and $1.63 million from new construction to major rehab.

Funding comes under federal affordable housing programs.

Community Development officials have also scheduled a November 5 hearing for discussing needs in five target neighborhoods.

The hearing is part of the process for proposed use of 2026-27 HUD grant funds ($730,000) for various activities and benefits for low- and moderate-income residents.

A survey questionnaire regarding the topic is available at the Murray Street office or on the city’s website coa.com/communitydevelopment The target neighborhoods are North Alexandria, Central Business, Lower 3rd, South Alexandria and Samtown/Woodside.

Home Investment Partnerships funding involved totals $245,000; Community Development Block Grant money totals $485,000.

Proposed use includes code enforcement, demolition, housing counseling, homebuyer assistance, and new construction owner-occupied.

The HOME program, initiated by Congress in the early 1990s, promotes ownership, rehabilitation, rental repairs and rental assistance.