Life moves pretty fast at the General Assembly – if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it! We are pleased to report that many of our bills have already passed their chambers of origin, meaning they have crossed over and will now be considered by the opposing chamber. Read on to see where these bills stand and how you can be a part of supporting housing affordability in Virginia.

Housing bills to watch

Bills we support: 

Affordable dwelling unit ordinances for inclusionary zoning
Authorizes all localities to create affordable dwelling unit programs that provide optional increases in density to support inclusion of moderately-priced housing.

• SB 74 (Sen. McPike) – passed the Senate, referred to House Counties, Cities and Towns Subcommittee.
• HB 867 (Del. Cousins) – passed the House and referred to the Senate Local Government Committee, but with a reenactment clause that requires it to pass again next year before becoming law. Our goal is that a version without the reenactment will prevail.

Expediting Affordable Housing
Allows localities to create an administrative process to approve applications for affordable housing developments in suitable locations.

• HB 594 (Del. Simonds) – Passed the House and referred to Senate Local Government Committee.

Split Land Value Tax
Allows Charlottesville, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, and Newport News to join four existing jurisdictions in setting different tax rates for land and for improvements made on that land (including housing), incentivizing infill development. A separate bill (HB10) for statewide application failed.

• HB 282 (Del. Callsen) – Passed the House and referred to Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Parking Reform
Reduces parking minimums requirements for residential developments in designated areas with proximity to transit, affordable housing, and revitalization zones, as well as separate reductions for other areas.

• HB 888 (Del. Tran) – Passed the House and referred to Senate Local Government Committee.

Right of First Refusal
Preserves affordable housing by enabling localities to establish a Right of First Refusal in order to purchase subsidized multifamily rentals whose committed affordable status is at risk of expiring.

• HB4 (Del. Bennett-Parker) – Passed the House and referred to Senate General Laws and Technology Committee.

By-Right Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Legalizes ADUs, also known as granny flats or backyard cottages, in areas zoned for single-family residential use statewide.

• SB 531 (Del. Srinivasan) – Reported from Senate Local Government Committee to the Senate Floor.  

Virginia Housing Trust Fund
Increases the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to $400M over two years to expand the supply of affordable homes and support housing stability for low-income households.

• SB 30, 102 #2s (Sen. Ebbin) –  Referred to Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
• HB 30, 102 #23h (Del. Lopez) – Referred to House Appropriations Committee.

Bills we support with amendments under discussion:

Transit-oriented housing overlay districts
Requires localities with rail and bus rapid transit to establish at least one transit-oriented housing overlay district. Amendments are under discussion to ensure it doesn’t undercut higher densities currently allowed in some locations.

• SB 717 (Sen. Salim) – Passed the Senate, referred to House Counties, Cities and Towns Subcommittee.

Faith In Housing
Enables faith institutions and other property tax-exempt non-profits to build income-restricted, affordable homes “by-right” on land they own.

• SB 388 (Sen. McPike) – Awaiting final vote on the Senate Floor while amendments are under discussion.
• HB 1279 (Del. Cole) – Passed the House with a reenactment clause that would require passage again next year, and referred to Senate Local Government Committee.

Bill we are evaluating as discussions continue:

Housing Near Jobs
Allows multi-family homes to be approved administratively by local governments in commercial zones. Intense discussions continue with many amendments proposed.

• HB 816 (Del. Helmer) – Passed the House, referred to Senate Local Government Committee.
• SB 454 (Sen. VanValkenburg) – Passed the Senate, referred to House Counties, Cities and Towns Subcommittee.

How can you get involved?

We want to emphasize – your engagement matters! This is looking to be an incredible year for state housing legislation, and that is in no small part because of your outreach and support. This is still a great time to email or call your legislator and let them know which bills you care most about, especially if they are members of the committees where those bills will be heard.