Cornerstones Convenes Cross-County Forum of Affordable Housing Experts
Cornerstones’ Advocacy and Faith Council hosted, “Affordable Housing in Our Backyard,” a community forum focused on expanding stable, affordable housing across Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The event brought together housing leaders, partners, and advocates to discuss the growing crisis around affordable housing in Northern Virginia. The program consisted of two panels including state and county representatives and housing nonprofit leaders.
Participants heard updates from the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session and learned about local housing initiatives underway in Fairfax and Loudoun. Through panel discussions and small-group conversations, the forum highlighted lived experiences, barriers to housing stability, and ways faith communities, nonprofits, public agencies, and residents can work together to advance affordable housing solutions across our region.
For more information on the forum, explore the links below.
2026 Affordable Housing Forum Recording
2026 Affordable Housing Forum Attendee Feedback
Myth Busting Affordable Housing
2026 GA Bills Patroned and Co-patroned by attending Elected Officials
Cornerstones Program Participant’s Lived Experience Testimony
Virginia 2026 General Assembly
The 2026 General Assembly adjourned on March 14th, and we are celebrating legislative wins for affordable housing and thriving children and families.
Many thanks to all of you who sent emails, attended Day for All People, and met with your legislators. Because of your continued support, we will see our priority legislation head to the governor’s desk after gaining wide bipartisan support in both chambers.
For more information or to be added to our email distribution list, email us at advocate@cornerstonesva.org.
Impact Stories and Testimonies
2025 Prepare. Adapt. Thrive: A New Reality
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.
Virginia General Assembly Recognizes Cornerstones (January 21, 2026)
Cornerstones is grateful to be recognized on the floor of both the Virginia Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2026 General Assembly. We appreciate our elected officials, Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra and Senator Jennifer Boysko for acknowledging Cornerstones’ work and CEO Kerrie Wilson’s leadership in advancing stable housing, food security, and thriving children and families across our community.
Watch the floor recognition:
Budget Testimonies
Fairfax County FY2027 Budget Testimonies
Watch CEO Shannon Steene, Board Chair Andy Lacher, and resident advocate Ashwok’s testimony before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors prior to the passing of the FY2027 budget.
Read Cornerstones board member Priscilla Martinez’s testimony at Loudoun County’s FY2027 Public Budget Hearings.
Her remarks lifted up the importance of budget investments that advance our shared priorities of affordable housing, food security, and ensuring children and families can thrive across Loudoun.
Click here to read Priscilla’s testimony.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing 2026
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.
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
- Sara Leonard
- Priscilla Martinez
- Radhika Murari
- Ken Plum
- Judith Pollizotti
- Gillian Sescoe
- Monique Sharpe
- Stephen Smith-Cobbs
- Tracey White
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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