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Impact By State

Virginia

Overview Landscape Involvement News

Overview

Virginia’s housing market had a dramatic busy period following the COVID-19 pandemic, with demand skyrocketing in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Chesapeake Bay. Demand has since cooled, but prices remain high as a constrained supply cannot meet even the lower demand. Home prices and rents remain at all-time highs, demanding the development of more housing, fast.

Virginia has seen a sharp population increase, with roughly 11% growth since 2010.

1 million Virginians call an apartment home, with demand on the rise.

77% of extremely low-income renters spend more than half of their income on housing.

Between now and 2030, Virginia will need to build 7,000 new apartment homes each year to keep up with demand.

Establish Preemption

Rent control negatively impacts any housing market. Establishing a clear preemption in Virginia law will ensure that local governments cannot establish the policy to the detriment of residents.

Pass Pro-Supply Legislation

To build a housing market that benefits all Virginians, the legislature must continue to push pro-supply measures that encourage development to meet housing demands.

Housing Solutions Coalition Involvement

In Virginia, HSC has pushed forward supply-side policies while dampening restrictions on housing providers. Here’s how we’ve been involved

During the 2026 legislative session, three rent control proposals that varied in restrictiveness — HB 1177, HB 278, and SB 355 — were introduced. Defeating all three was HSC’s top priority. Quick opposition led directly to each proposal failing to advance from its house of origin.

HSC supported a large pro-supply package of legislation in the 2026 session. HB 1212 requires localities to adopt at least one zoning district dedicated to housing on small lots, enabling higher-density housing. SB 531 broadly requires localities across the state to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right in single-family zoning districts. HB 888 reduced minimum off-street parking requirements in designated areas. All three bills had strong backing from HSC, and were signed into law by Governor Spanaberger.

“Yes in God’s Backyard,” or YIGBY legislation, allows religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt entities to develop affordable housing on their properties by-right, without requiring rezoning or special permits. At least 60% of units must be affordable, with rental units targeting households earning up to 80% of area median income. It received significant legislative scrutiny and debate, and nearly failed to pass. A last-minute conference committee merged conflicting versions from both chambers. Governor Abigail Spanberger offered minor scope-limiting amendments to the measure, which becomes effective July 1, 2027.

Latest News

Virginia Article
Rent Cap Legislation Meets Resistance in State Senate

Rent Cap Legislation Meets Resistance in State Senate

A bill, supported by Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors, that would allow localities to establish rent caps in their jurisdictions has been pushed off to next year after state senators raised questions about its impact.  Affordable housing has been a recurring topic in this year’s General Assembly with much of the focus on reducing local zoning authority and requiring localities to meet certain […]
February 3, 2026
Virginia News
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Opinion – Rent Control Measures Will Make Housing Crisis Worse

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Opinion – Rent Control Measures Will Make Housing Crisis Worse

In an opinion piece for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Ronda Puryear argues against a rent-control plan floated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Nationwide rent control would worsen, not alleviate, the housing crisis, says Puryear. She also contends that it would lead to inequitable housing outcomes, with affluent residents “crowding out” working-class renters from affordable apartments. […]
December 1, 2023
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