Affordable Housing Community Proposed At Former DMV Site In Manassas

MANASSAS, VA — A 100-unit affordable housing development has been proposed at a former DMV location in the City of Manassas.

Developer Good Housing submitted the proposal at The Landing at Cannon Branch, on the site of the former DMV building at Gateway Drive and Godwin Drive. The 100-unit apartment community would provide one-bedroom and two-bedroom units to households making 40 to 70 percent of the area median income.

Priority leasing would be provided to essential workers like public safety employees, teachers, nurses and more. Rent would depend on household size and could range from $1,200 and $2,200 per month. The units would stay affordable under a 30-year term.

“This proposal is not just about construction—it’s about the people who make Manassas work,” said Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger in a statement. “Our teachers, police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, nurses, and other essential employees deserve the opportunity to live in the community they serve. We’re committed to finding ways to make that possible while maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency.”

The city is considering providing funding to support the project. That support would use proceeds from a land sale, Housing Investment Fund, and capital reserves to provide a low-interest loan for the development. Good Housing will seek a combination of tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, private equity, and low-interest loans.

There are no tax abatements or grants from the city proposed. If the loan is approved, the city expects return in 10 years through real estate tax revenue and loan repayments.

Financial support for the project would be considered as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget process in early 2026. Manassas City Council will consider the purchase and sale agreement for The Landing at Cannon Branch property at a Dec. 8 public hearing at 5:30 p.m.

The city said in a statement that the project would be the first directly supporting housing and neighborhood goals in its 2045 Comprehensive Plan. The housing and neighborhoods section of the plan calls for a balanced mix of housing options and ensuring quality and affordability for residents. The city had last provided a Housing Plan in 2019 to assess the existing housing stock, demographic trends and strategies to address housing needs. Manassas City Council has taken other actions on housing, including creating a Housing Advisory Board, hiring a housing and neighborhood coordinator, and creating a Housing Investment Fund.