Fare Wheels is a grant from the City of Falls Church, Virginia, that funds transportation assistance for low-income senior and disabled residents through subsidized access to reliable vehicles or transit options. The program is part of Falls Church's broader Community Development Block Grant and affordable housing initiative, aiming to reduce transportation barriers for vulnerable community members.

Eligibility is limited to Falls Church residents aged 62 and older or those who are permanently disabled, with a household income of $37,000 or less. Grant amounts are not specified; interested applicants should contact the city directly.

Community Grants | Falls Church, VA - Official Website Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The City of Falls Church partners with local organizations to strengthen housing, human services, and community development.

Through programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships, funding helps provide essential services, affordable housing, and facilities for residents with low and moderate incomes. Each year, proposals are reviewed by the Housing Commission and approved by City Council, ensuring resources are directed where they make the greatest impact.

The City of Falls Church Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding both to maintain existing affordable housing and to develop additional affordable housing opportunities for households with a gross income less than 120% of the area median income. Applications may be submitted at any time by nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, or the City of Falls Church general government.

Community Development Block Grant The City of Falls Church participates with Arlington County to receive the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. The grant funds have assisted persons with low and moderate incomes by providing much-needed services, housing, and facilities.

All requests for funding are reviewed by the Housing Commission and approved by the City Council during the city's annual proposal review cycle. The program year runs from July 1 through June 30 of each year and funding is provided at the beginning of the Fiscal Year.

Although funding allocations vary from year to year, the City of Falls Church normally receives an allocation of approximately $60,000 in CDBG funds and $21,000 in HOME funds for a program year. CDBG applications are available in August and due in September each year. The Community Services Fund (CSF) provides approximately $80,000 in grants for human service programs and activities.

Previous funded programs include legal services, housing counseling, emergency assistance, services to the blind, and regional health planning. Applications are available in November and due in December each year. The Community Services Fund (CSF) provides grants, through a competitive process, for human service programs and activities operating in the City of Falls Church.

The program is administered through the City’s Housing and Human Services unit (HHS). Oversight and program selection are made by the Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) , a citizen appointed commission. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving the City of Falls Church residents.

Applicants may apply for either a specific program or activity serving City residents and/or general administrative expenses as they relate to the program or activity serving City residents. The application for the Fiscal Year 2027 (July 2026 through June 2027) is now closed. If you are interested in the program and would like to apply for next year, please contact us by email or call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711 ).

The Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) reviews all applications and may hold a public hearing to gain further information. If needed, the public hearing will be held in January 2026. HSAC will make recommendations to present to the City Council in February 2026.

The funding recommendations are considered as part of the City budget process in March and April. HSAC will evaluate the grant proposals using the following criteria. Items are not necessarily weighted equally nor listed in order of importance.

Critical Need Fulfillment Grant funding will materially impact the fulfillment of a critical need(s) within the City of Falls Church. The proposal includes an action plan with meaningful and measurable target outcomes, and the plan presents a well-conceived approach that is likely to result in success. The applicant has the organizational capacity to implement the Action Plan, track outcomes, and succeed with the project.

Budget and Financial Plan and Efficiency The program budget is reasonable and the applicant will apply grant funds toward the efficient operation of the program. The total amount of funds available is expected to be approximately $86,000 for the Fiscal Year 2027, and the grant amounts for each application selected can vary. Organizations receiving grants will receive a contract before the start of the Fiscal Year (July 1, 2026).

The contract outlines procedures for reimbursement and reporting requirements. Grantees must submit a standardized quarterly report of outcome measures based on the program proposal and the number of City residents served.