With Youngkin Gone, Democrats See Opening on Housing Reform

Days after Gov. Abigail Spanberger renewed her push to tackle housing affordability in her State of the Commonwealth address, Virginia lawmakers say they are newly optimistic about advancing a slate of bills aimed at easing the state’s housing crunch.

Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, referred to the proposals as “one of the key things that won us a historic majority in the House of Delegates.”

Like Spanberger, Democratic lawmakers ran last year on promises to address housing challenges — from the rising cost of rent to barriers to home ownership and a lack of supply.

Several of the proposals had previously cleared the legislature before being vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin. At a news conference on Wednesday, both new and returning lawmakers expressed renewed confidence that those ideas could finally become law.

Among the measures highlighted was House Bill 816, carried by Helmer, which would allow by-right zoning for apartment buildings or townhomes in certain commercial corridors.

More simply put, “that bill streamlines the conversion of old strip malls and office parks into new homes,” Helmer said.

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, emphasized that the bill could help keep people closer to where they work — particularly public servants such as teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and service industry workers.

As the patron of the Senate version, VanValkenburg shared his own experience as a public school teacher, noting that if he were just starting out today, he would struggle to afford housing in the region.

“I’m a teacher who can afford a house in my locality because I bought a house 20 years ago and have that capital,” he said. “Teachers who are starting in the profession now cannot afford to buy a house in Western Henrico anymore.”

Helmer and VanValkenburg have also carried a more contentious proposal highlighting longstanding tensions between state and local governments. The bill would require localities to take steps to boost housing affordability or risk state intervention overriding certain local decisions. Under the measure, local governments must “demonstrate a good faith effort” to meet housing growth targets outlined in the legislation.

The bill did not reach Youngkin’s desk, though it did pass the House of Delegates.

“There is give and take in the bill,” VanValkenburg said last year while defending it. “I would argue that this is more than a local problem; this is a state problem.”

That sentiment was echoed repeatedly during Wednesday’s news as lawmakers discussed additional proposals returning this session. Several pointed to a survey conducted last year that identified housing affordability as a top concern for Virginians.

Del. Joshua Cole, D-Fredericksburg — who is also a pastor — is carrying legislation that would allow faith-based institutions or nonprofit organizations to build housing on land they already own. A version of the bill was introduced last year, and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., has also introduced similar legislation in Congress.

House Bill 262, sponsored by Del. Shelly Simmonds, D-Newport News, would prohibit localities from requiring minimum parking mandates for new developments.

Simmonds said the bill “gives flexibility to builders to provide the right amount of parking.” She emphasized that it does not eliminate parking altogether, but removes locally mandated minimums that may not make sense for certain projects.

Sen. Saddam Salim, D-Fairfax, who is carrying the Senate version, said parking mandates can result in wasted space that could otherwise be used for housing or drive up rent prices. He noted that, depending on a development’s location and residents, not everyone can afford a car or may choose to rely on public transit instead.

Overall, Helmer said he is “encouraged” by the new governor and the renewed momentum around housing policy. While tensions can arise between state and local governments, he noted how some legislators bring first-hand experience from local office.

That includes Del. Margaret Franklin, D-Prince William, who previously served her county’s board of supervisors. Newly elected to the House, Franklin has been appointed to the Housing, Cities, and Towns Committee, where she can draw on that experience as lawmakers debate housing legislation.

by Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury

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