Editorial
Given the prevalence of polarization in today’s politics, it’s rare for federal, state and local government leaders to be unified in wanting to address a particular issue. However, that seems to be the case with there being widespread support at all levels of government to tackle the problems presented by a longstanding shortage of affordable housing.
Sweeping federal legislation intended to increase the supply of affordable housing nationwide passed Congress last month with bipartisan support. Although President Donald Trump didn’t sign the bill, neither did he veto it so it became law this past week when a procedural deadline passed.
According to the New York Times, “The bill is the first genuine effort the federal government has made in over 30 years to build more housing – the problem at the heart of the nation’s persistent housing crisis.” The legislation “adjusts a plethora of federal rules, with an aim to make it easier and cheaper for developers to break ground and raise walls, and illegal for large investors to snap up single-family homes. That combination could increase the supply of housing and drive down prices for homeowners and renters alike.”
At the state level, a package of legislation to make housing more affordable for homebuyers and renters passed the General Assembly this year and was signed into law recently by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
A press release from the governor’s office asserted that the legislation is “aimed at cutting red tape preventing housing development, protecting Virginians from hidden fees in rental agreements and easing the burdens facing first-time homebuyers. Additionally, Virginia’s bipartisan state budget includes nearly $100 million in investments to expand housing development, support homelessness services and help families stay in their homes when financial hardship strikes.”
Our local governments are in synch with these efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing. Buena Vista City Council, for instance, is set to take action this Thursday on a zoning text amendment that would allow accessory dwelling units in residential districts where single-family homes are permitted. An ADU is an independent dwelling unit with kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom that can be occupied by one or two people. It can be contained within a single-family residence or be a separate, fully detached structure.
The new rules, if they pass, would establish minimum lot sizes as well as minimum and maximum square footage sizes for the ADUs. Setbacks for ADUs are to be the same as for other accessory buildings. Owner occupancy of either the main house or ADU is to be required. A recent regional housing study encouraged allowing ADUs to increase the local housing supply. The state legislation enacted this year requires localities, beginning in 2027, to allow ADUs anywhere single-family dwellings are permitted.
Lexington City Council took the lead on this issue, having earlier adopted regulations that are allowing ADUs in the city.
The Rockbridge County Planning Commission, meanwhile, is slated to consider a zoning text amendment next month that would make the standards for manufactured homes consistent with the ones for stickbuilt houses. The county is taking steps to comply with directives from the state to not impose restrictions on manufactured homes that would not apply to stick-built houses. The idea is to treat both types of housing the same under the county’s zoning regulations.
The regional housing study conducted by the Central Shenandoah Planning District that was completed in early 2025 called on local governments to implement policies that could make it easier to increase the supply of affordable housing for the local workforce. It seems this process has been initiated, with the support of the state and federal governments.
