2026 Day for All People:
Thank You for Advocating with Cornerstones
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Cornerstones was honored to join Day for All People in Richmond alongside so many passionate advocates.
Thank you to everyone who participated, especially the neighbors who showed up, shared their stories, and made their voices heard. Your lived experience and leadership are powerful, and we deeply value the time and courage it takes to advocate for your community.
Together, we lifted up what every neighbor deserves: stable housing, food security, and thriving children & families.
Our Advocacy Priorities
Stable housing
We’re advocating for solutions that help more people access safe, stable, affordable homes—such as expanding affordable housing supply, reducing barriers to development, and strengthening housing stability supports.
- HB4 – Affordable Housing; preservation, definitions, civil penalty.
- HB143 – Surplus real property; prioritization of disposition for affordable and middle-income housing.
- HB352 – Local authority; authorized by ordinance to establish affordable housing performance grant programs.
- HB594 – Expedited approval for certain affordable housing developments.
- HB804 – Statewide housing targets for localities.
- HB820 – Virginia Housing Trust Fund; mixed-income development.
- HB867 – Affordable Housing; local zoning ordinance authority.
- HB1279 – Affordable Housing; religions organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties.
Food security
We’re advocating for policies that ensure children, youth, and families can reliably access nutritious food especially through schools and community-based supports that reduce hunger and hardship.
Thriving children & families
We’re advocating for investments that help families stay healthy and economically secure so children can learn, grow, and thrive. This includes policies that support family well-being, workforce stability, and access to essential services.
- HB254 /SB20 – Child Care Subsidy Program; income-based eligibility for assistance.
- SB119 /SB3 /HB18 – Employee Child Care Pilot Program; established, report.
- SB134 /HB1208 – Public education; early childhood care and education; childcare access calculation; report.
- HB403 – Income tax, state; credits for childcare-related expenses.
- HB1004 – Child tax credit; Virginia adjusted gross income.Top of Form
Track bills and stay updated
Legislation moves quickly during General Assembly. For the most up-to-date bill information and action alerts, we recommend following our partners’ trackers:
- Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) – General Assembly updates and priorities at VICPP Bill Tracker – Google Docs
- Voices for Virginia’s Children – Bill Tracker and legislative updates focused on children, youth, and families at Bill Tracker | Voices for Virginia’s Children
For more information or to be added to our email distribution list, email us at advocate@cornerstonesva.org.
General Assembly 2026
Our Advocacy Platform
“Access to Affordable Homes” means…
- Everyone can secure a safe and stable home, regardless of income level or personal circumstance.
- Homes are available at affordable price points for all, including our workforce, seniors, young families, first time homebuyers, adults with disabilities or who require support to live independently, and individuals and families at the lowest income levels.
- Tenants and homeowners are not cost-burdened (i.e., paying more than 30% of their income for housing), and that they understand their rights and have the power to advocate for themselves, their families, and their community.
- Investing in building and preserving affordable homes in neighborhoods with assets such as public transit, good schools, proximity to jobs, retail, parks, and recreation facilities.
- Dedicated adequate federal, state, and local funds to the building and preservation of affordable homes to ensure this goal is achievable.
“Healthy and Resilient Neighborhoods” means…
- All community members feel safe, valued, and connected to their neighborhood.
- Strong and healthy relationships between families and schools, law enforcement, community program providers, and community leaders.
- Access to physical and mental healthcare without any barriers.
- Availability of living wage jobs that offer benefits, including paid leave.
- Community members are aware of where and how to access help to build economic security, resiliency, and stability.
- A public transit system that works for all residents.
“Thriving Children, Youth, and Families” means…
- Affordable quality childcare is available to all families and that every preschool-age child has access to early education and kindergarten readiness programs.
- Schools receive adequate funding and resources to support all students.
- No one goes hungry. Everyone has access to healthy food.
- Households have the necessary financial resources to thrive.
Our Advocacy Committee
Our Advocacy Committee members participate in monthly meetings to develop our advocacy strategies and opportunities for action.
Many thanks to our committee members. Want to get involved or learn more? Email advocate@cornerstonesva.org
- Brian Funaki (Co-Chair)
- Karen Courtney (Co-Chair)
- Roberta Gosling
- Amy Joyce
- Andy Lacher
- Margaret Anne Lara
- Sara Leonard
- Erin Loadholtz
- Ken Plum
- Judith Pollizotti
- Jenny Roellke
- Gillian Sescoe
- Monique Sharpe
- Stephen Smith-Cobbs
- Tracey White
- Kerrie Wilson
The 2025 Faith and Advocacy Forum
“Prepare, Adapt, Thrive: A New Reality.”
Did you attend the event? Click here to take the survey and share your thoughts.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, faith leaders, advocates, and community partners from across Fairfax and Loudoun Counties convened for the first ever Cornerstones Faith Council and Advocacy Forum, “2025 Prepare. Adapt. Thrive: A New Reality.”
Fueled by the courage of our neighbors with lived experience, attendees united with the goal of turning strategy into action – so each of our neighbors can live with dignity, build resilience, and access real opportunities for a healthy, connected life.
“But before we take action, first, we must listen,” encouraged Reverend Stephen Smith-Cobbs, Vice President of the Cornerstones Faith Council. Click the video to the right to listen to real “lived experiences” from neighbors in need.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Holds Public Hearing on Proposed FY2026 Budget
This week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors convened in a public hearing on the proposed county budget for FY2026. Virginia Delegate Rip Sullivan and Cornerstones Chair Andy Lacher both testified and advocated for more support for affordable housing, programs, and services.
Delegate Rip Sullivan, long-time Fairfax County resident and co-chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Council (AHAC) with Cornertones’ CEO Kerrie Wilson, offered guidance and recommendations on affordable housing and wrap-around service.
Lacher cited sobering statistics: a 23% increase in homelessness since the pandemic and 27% of households experiencing food insecurity in 2024, alongside double-digit increases in housing costs. During his testimony, he urged the Board to take bold steps toward revenue diversification – calling for the approval of a 4% meals tax and a 2% increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax. He sounded the alarm on the urgent need for greater investments in affordable housing and food security to keep our economy, workforce, and community healthy and thriving.
Limya Elshazli is a community ambassador of Reston’s Opportunity Neighborhoods program (RestON). She is also a recipient of affordable housing through Cornerstones. During the FY2026 budget meetings this past week, Limya shared personal testimony and spoke on behalf of local residents, urging the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to preserve funding. Limya emphasized the critical nature of these county programs as first line of defense against homelessness, and the potential devasting effects of the programs ending.
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing 2025
In a powerful call to action, our CEO, Kerrie Wilson was honored to testify at the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing. Standing before county leaders, she passionately urged Loudoun to take bold action by prioritizing investments in homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and essential human services to keep families housed, ensure children have nutritious meals, and support the workforce that sustains the community.
General Assembly: Day for All People 2025
On January 15, Cornerstones was honored to join 450+ advocates for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 2025 Day for All People in Richmond. With over 30 Cornerstones team members and community leaders riding together on the bus, we united to fight for affordable housing, healthy and resilient neighborhoods, and thriving children, youth, and families. From inspiring speakers to workshops and meetings with our state legislators, this day proved that real change starts with us and together we are stronger!
Residences at Government Center II Groundbreaking, Monday, December 9
Fairfax County officials and Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson celebrated the groundbreaking of Residences at Government Center II on December 9, an affordable housing community in the Braddock District near the Fairfax County Government Center. The development, led by Lincoln Avenue Communities, will feature 279 units, with 65% being two- or three-bedroom apartments, and aims to provide housing for low- to moderate-income households. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the project includes two five-story buildings, ADA-accessible units, EarthCraft Gold Green Certification, solar panels, and EV charging stations. U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, a champion of the first Residences project, spoke at the event, emphasizing the county’s goal of creating 10,000 affordable homes by 2034. Expected to be completed by February 2026, the development will foster community engagement through features like the 15,000-square-foot “Fairfax One” service hall.
The Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum: A Night of Insightful Discussion and Community Engagement
On September 30, 2024, Cornerstones, the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Herndon Community Television hosted the Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum, drawing over 100 attendees, including community members and leaders. Mayoral candidates Pradip Dhakal and Keven LeBlanc discussed key issues such as affordable housing, the town’s five-year strategic plan, sustainable development, ethical governance, and resident safety, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and partnerships. Following the forum, attendees connected with the candidates during a post-event reception, sparking deeper discussions about Herndon’s future. Cornerstones extended thanks to event organizers, panelists, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Crumbl Cookies Reston for their support.
Questions?
Contact advocate@cornerstonesva.org.
Cornerstones provides support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other human services.
We envision a community where all our neighbors in the Dulles corridor have access to affordable homes, in healthy and resilient neighborhoods, where all children, youth and families are thriving.
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