Catholics for Housing to purchase East End Mobile Home Park in Manassas

Manassas City Council voted unanimously Oct. 16 to enable Catholics for Housing (CFH), a Northern Virginia nonprofit group, to purchase the East End mobile-home park for $1.4 million as long as certain requirements are met, including resolving the significant water, sewer and management issues that have plagued residents for years, according to a news release from the Diocese of Arlington.

Fr. Gerry Creedon, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Dale City and founder of CFH, says the purchase of the mobile home park preserves and improves housing at affordable rates for 59 lower income and mainly immigrant families.

Fr. Creedon was quoted in the news release as saying,“Our plan has been recognized by the Virginia Housing Development Authority as a potential model for the state. Jesus said, ‘The Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.’ CFH promotes affordable housing as a civic duty and a sacred obligation. This action strengthens that mission.”

The priest said CFH expects to complete the purchase in early November, after submitting construction drawings and bonds to the city.