VirginiaCounties may require affordable homes or payments for larger projects
If reenacted in 2027, the measure would let eligible counties require affordable homes or a housing fund payment for certain larger development projects.
What it does
For qualifying projects, counties may require affordable homes or a payment to the county housing fund. Applicants may provide homes on-site or use one of the listed alternatives.
A county with a county manager government must appoint an advisory board to advise on changes to affordable housing payment amounts. The board must include equal representation from development, housing, and planning groups.
Argument forIf counties adopt these rules, qualifying projects could add homes for households with lower incomes or support the county's affordable housing fund.
Argument againstDevelopers could face added costs or fewer project choices because they must provide affordable homes or choose a specified off-site or payment option.
More detail
A county may require affordable homes or a payment to its affordable housing fund as a condition of approving a qualifying project. This applies in counties whose comprehensive plans provide for development at 1.0 FAR or higher. Projects below 1.0 FAR are exempt. Affordable homes must be committed for 30 years for households earning 60% of area median income. The county must adopt requirements in its zoning ordinance. The applicant may choose among the listed alternatives, including off-site homes or a cash contribution. The text includes inconsistent cash contribution figures, so this summary does not state an amount. The requirement applies when the governing body approves a qualifying special exception application. The first enactment would take effect only if reenacted by the 2027 General Assembly.
A county with the county manager form of government must appoint an advisory board to advise on changes to affordable housing payment amounts. This applies to any county with the county manager plan of government. The board must have equal numbers of representatives from the real estate development industry, the local housing commission, and the local planning commission. The first enactment would take effect only if reenacted by the 2027 General Assembly.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Feb 20Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
- Feb 20Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Feb 17Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Feb 17Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and TownsMinor
- Feb 17Read first timeMinor
- Feb 17Placed on Calendar
- Feb 12Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Feb 11Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 11Local Government Substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 11Read second timeMinor
- Feb 10Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Feb 10Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 10Rules suspended
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107556D-S1Major
- Feb 9Reported from Local Government with substitute (10-Y 4-N 1-A)Minor
- Feb 9Senate committee offered
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on Local GovernmentMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104771DIntroduced
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