This post was written by Hanna Metuda, Director of Policy and Programs.
Northern Virginia has undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming a hub of economic activity that attracts businesses and job seekers from across the globe. While this growth has been advantageous, it has also presented significant challenges, particularly in terms of ensuring that everyone has access to jobs, transportation, and affordable housing in a region that has become increasingly segregated.
As a prerequisite for receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an important source of funding for the development of affordable housing, all state and local governments must submit a fair housing plan. Compliance with these reporting requirements has resulted in a collaborative effort to address fair housing challenges regionally, an impressive achievement in its own right. This innovative effort, which brings together representatives from eight local governments, the Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG), and a diverse range of stakeholders, aims to achieve several crucial objectives for the metropolitan Washington region.
At its core, the plan will empower residents by providing them with better access to safe and affordable housing opportunities, ensuring that every household can achieve their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Community participation is a critical aspect of the plan, ensuring that residents’ voices were heard loud and clear. With over 1,200 agencies, groups, and individuals providing their input through focus groups, public meetings, surveys, and interviews, the plan’s conclusions and recommendations have been shaped by the people it aims to serve.
While the region collectively has agreed upon seven shared goals and objectives to implement, each local government has also established additional goals unique for its jurisdiction. The following sections explore the aforementioned goals and strategies set by NoVa jurisdictions. For a detailed view of the local-only goals and strategies formulated by NoVa jurisdictions, please refer to the Regional Fair Housing Matrix we have created.
Increase Supply of Affordable Housing
Northern Virginia’s five jurisdictions – Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William – all recognize the pressing need to increase the supply of affordable housing, and each jurisdiction has laid out its strategies, customized to address their unique needs and circumstances.
In Alexandria, the strategy centers around prioritizing public land for affordable housing and providing partial tax abatements for homeowners who rent their accessory dwelling units to low and moderate-income tenants. Meanwhile, Arlington is encouraging developers to surpass the required number of affordable, accessible units in new developments and exploring financing affordable housing through general obligation bonds.
Fairfax County is revising its For-Sale WDU Policy to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. Loudoun is expanding its existing rental and homeownership programs, as well as the Affordable Multi-family Rental Housing Loan Program and the Rental Housing Acquisition and Preservation Loan Program. Meanwhile, Prince William aims to establish a housing trust fund that will subsidize the development of affordable housing.
Reform Zoning and Land-Use Policies
Zoning regulations and land use policies can create barriers to affordable housing development, particularly in areas with high land values or strict zoning requirements, leading to exclusionary practices that perpetuate segregation and limit access to opportunity. Generally, all NoVA’s jurisdictions recognize the importance of reforming land use policy and zoning to remove these barriers.
In Alexandria, the focus is on adopting a mandatory inclusionary zoning ordinance and offering incentives to support the strategy. Meanwhile, Arlington plans to expand missing middle housing, examine alternative definitions of “family”, structure affordability requirements for senior housing projects, and develop an equitable planning and development framework.
Prince William aims to implement a voluntary inclusionary zoning policy, upzone the Rural Crescent area, permit duplexes and ADUs throughout the county, and increase density in transit-oriented developments near mass transit stations. Loudoun’s plan is to develop zoning regulations and design standards that incentivize affordable housing development, strengthen affordable dwelling unit regulations, and incorporate density bonuses and other incentives in areas served by or planned for mass transit.
Strengthen Fair Housing Education and Outreach
Stronger fair housing education and outreach can empower individuals and communities to recognize and report discriminatory practices, promote diversity, and create more inclusive and equitable housing opportunities. The significance of this objective is recognized by both Arlington and Loudoun County.
Arlington’s approach involves ongoing fair housing testing, updating ordinances, providing education and training to officials. They also highlight reducing language barriers, soliciting feedback from affordable housing residents, and promoting fair housing rights.
Meanwhile, Loudoun aims to establish a dedicated fair housing coordinator, a phone line and email address for inquiries, and a task force dedicated to equity in housing. They also seek to identify and address gaps in housing programs, convene housing summits, and engage in outreach to landlords and tenants.
The Gold Standard: Arlington County
Arlington County has raised the bar by including three additional goals in their regional plan to improve equity and inclusion, setting itself apart from other jurisdictions. These goals include increasing community integration for individuals with disabilities, improving the effectiveness of existing fair housing programs, and implementing policies to prevent displacement.
Arlington is pursuing a multifaceted strategy to achieve its goals, which includes updating housing policies for individuals released from institutional settings, revising equity metrics, establishing accurate data collection methods for residents in affordable housing, and periodically reassessing the Real Estate Tax Relief program. These are just a few of the many strategies outlined by the county, demonstrating its commitment to promoting equity and inclusion. We encourage other jurisdictions to take inspiration from their efforts and follow suit.
Join the Conversation
The Northern Virginia jurisdictions’ commitment to increasing access to affordable housing, removing barriers to housing choice, and addressing housing inequities is truly commendable. Through a range of strategies, such as policy and program changes, education and outreach, these jurisdictions are making tangible progress towards creating a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape. Their prioritization of fair housing ensures that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can live in a safe, stable, and affordable home.
We encourage everyone to submit their written comments for the Regional Fair Housing Plan during the 60-day public comment period, which runs from January 31 to March 31. Your input is valuable in shaping the efforts towards enhancing equity and inclusion in the region. Together, we can build a future that is more equitable and inclusive for everyone.