RICHMOND, Va. — Today, legislation that would lower the cost of housing, SB388, patroned by Senator Jeremy McPike (D-Woodbridge), and SB454, patroned by Senator Schyluer VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), moved forward from the Senate Local Government Committee by respective votes of 9-4-1 and 8-4-3. These votes follow the floor passage of HB804 (by a vote of 63-35) and HB816 (by a vote of 64-35), patroned by Delegate Dan Helmer (D-Fairfax), in the House, and the passage of HB888 (by a vote of 15-6), patroned by Delegate Irene Shin (D-Herndon), out of the House Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee last Friday. SB 388 would make it easier for faith communities to develop affordable housing; SB 454 and HB 816 would promote development of affordable housing in commercial districts; HB 804 would set certain metrics to ensure localities are approving new homes at a pace needed to meet demand; and HB 888 would restrict burdensome parking minimums in new residential development.
A 2025 YouGov poll for the Commonwealth Housing Coalition found that Virginians ranked housing costs as the state’s top problem. The survey found supermajority support for a variety of policies that would make it easy to build more and smaller types of homes (78%), reduce regulatory requirements on new housing (74%), require local governments to streamline home construction in Virginia (79%), empower faith congregations to build affordable housing on land they own (71%), and support local laws against severe rent hikes (77%).
Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Ryan O’Toole released the following statement:
“Virginia faces a shortage of nearly 300,000 affordable homes, and Virginians have been clear that bold action to lower the cost of housing should be a top priority of this General Assembly session. We’re encouraged by the bipartisan support and fast movement of these pro-housing and pro-affordability bills. The cost of housing is an issue that reaches far and wide in the Commonwealth, and Virginians need relief. Each of these bills targets a pressure point in the process of building affordable housing. By taking statewide action to reform zoning laws, we can ensure a greater supply of housing, increasing both access and affordability.”
