Fairfax County is developing a program to allow up to 100 first-time home buyers to purchase foreclosed houses at reduced prices.

The idea is aimed at boosting the county's affordable housing for teachers, police officers and other middle-income professionals. Officials hope it will also prevent neighborhood decline as a result of foreclosures.

Prince William County is considering a similar idea.

In Fairfax County, housing officials are proposing to spend more than $6 million over two years on the program. Qualified buyers would be able to purchase the properties directly from participating banks at below-market prices and be eligible for low-interest mortgages.