Master's Thesis Defense - Lyndsey Norberg - Department of Geography & Geoinformation Science

Candidate: Lyndsey Norberg

Master of Science in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences

Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science   

TITLE: An Assessment of Public Loan Program Effectiveness Using Geographic Analysis and Local Opinion in the City of Fairfax

Committee:

Thesis Director: Dr. Matthew Rice

Committee Members: Dr. Nathan Burtch, Dr. Alireza Ermagun

ABSTRACT: 

This thesis discusses the dynamics surrounding a public loan program, managed by the Fairfax Renaissance Housing Corporation, to help homeowners renovate their homes with interest subsidies. The City of Fairfax currently encompasses over 9,000 property units, however, not all of these units and properties are eligible for the program. In early discussions formulating research, the FRHC Board of Directors questioned the influences behind residents’ decision to utilize the program and the impact of program parameters, which limit the eligibility of homes. The Board sought information on real estate trends, which this thesis provides. More broadly, literature suggests detached dwellings by themselves are unable to support the diversity of urban and suburban living and the demands of market forces which more recently have produced a greater proportion of multi-family housing units and townhomes. This thesis explores these general trends and explores the growth of property assessments over time. It also discusses the difficulty in finding land to build new dwellings, while older homes built in the 1950s-1960s sit on most lots. FRHC plays a role in keeping these older homes updated with modern amenities, and, in turn, help the City standards for housing goals as articulated in the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. This research builds on previous work done for the City and provides insight to program improvement through a series of interviews and data visualization via maps and geographic analysis. FRHC is encouraged to market the program to all residents of the City and raise program limitations to adapt to the current housing market.