HORNTOWN, Va. - $1.25 million is being awarded to the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) on behalf of Accomack County. The funding comes from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Eric Horito, the Director of Housing Development for A-NPDC says the commission submitted an application for the Community Development Block Grant on July 1, 2026.
“The funding targets critical needs in the Horntown community by replacing or repairing failing septic systems and well upgrades for residents in the project area, removing environmental hazards,” he says. “The project covers the demolition of derelict structures, major rehabilitation of existing homes, and substantial reconstructions (replacing homes that are beyond repair with new structures on their original footprints). This keeps established families in their neighborhood in safe, modern housing.”
Martina Marshall owns a dilapidated house in Horntown. She’s lived in the house for about 40 years, but had to move out because she says it’s unlivable. She says she is so happy to learn about this grant.
“It's not just mine that needs it,” she says. “I appreciate that they do it, and I'm just happy that they received the grant."
Kaitlin Berryman is a Community Development Coordinator with A-NPDC. She says the commission went through a very thorough process to narrow down the ten properties that need the most help right now.
“We are doing six full reconstructions, including completely demolishing the structures and rebuilding from scratch. Then four demolition-only properties as well,” she says. “The six reconstructions will absolutely have working septic systems.”
Officials say A-NPDC is currently waiting on the official letter and contract from the state. A-NPDC says the hope is for work to begin in the late fall or early winter of this year.
