Educate & Celebrate: A Remarkable Event for Housing Advocacy
Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA)
NVAHA promotes healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities that meet diverse housing needs of NoVa residents.
Thank You for Joining Us at Educate & Celebrate!
On May 30, 2024, at the National Landing Experience Center in Arlington, VA, we hosted an unforgettable event – Educate & Celebrate. This year, we combined the Leckey Forum with the Regional Housing Leaders Awards Reception & Ceremony, creating a truly special gathering. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, as your presence and participation were key to its success.
Educate: Thomas P. Leckey Forum - A Zoning Discussion
Our afternoon was filled with insightful discussions on zoning and affordable housing. We had the honor of learning from experts at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and HousingForward Virginia , where we had front-row seats to witness the unveiling of the Northern Virginia Zoning Atlas.
Emily Hamilton , Eli Kahn, and Andrew Crouch kicked off the event by sharing key research findings. They highlighted the extensive zoning data collection for 23 jurisdictions, encompassing 534 zones. It was revealed that 84% of developable land is primarily residential, with single-family detached houses dominating many residential districts. Only 9.5% of land allows buildings with four or more units, underscoring the need for more multifamily housing options.
On a positive note, reforms in Arlington and Alexandria have reduced exclusive single-family zoning, showing a positive shift towards more inclusive zoning practices. Their presentations set a strong foundation for understanding the current zoning landscape and emphasized the opportunities for further zoning reforms to address housing shortages.
So why does all of this matter? This is a question that our colleagues from HousingForward Virginia, Jonathan Knopf and Eric Mai , addressed. Truth be told, members of the general public don’t understand what zoning is, how it functions in local government, and why it matters to them. People also don’t realize how zoning impacts housing affordability and equity, nor do they know what actions to take to improve zoning in their communities.
Understanding zoning's history is crucial to grasp its impacts, on factors such as income inequity and racial segregation, as studies have shown. Comparative data between Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads reveals that single-family detached housing dominates both regions, with little land allowing for larger apartments or "gentle density" by-right. This underscores that Virginia's zoning challenge is statewide, and thinking only locally will exacerbate inequity.
Hearing from Charlottesville’s Deputy City Manager, James Freas , was truly enlightening. He provided valuable inspiration and practical insights for Northern Virginians. During his presentation, he addressed Charlottesville's critical challenge:
How do we promote the creation of more affordable housing, especially for those with the lowest incomes? How do we ensure diverse housing choices are available in every neighborhood?
He outlined the city's proactive steps, including an affordable housing plan, a city-wide comprehensive plan to guide future changes and growth, and a zoning ordinance rewrite to ensure development happens effectively. One of the many standout moments was learning about the city's remarkable commitment of $10 million annually to affordable housing, a testament to their dedication.
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Celebrate: Regional Housing Leaders Awards Ceremony
The evening's highlight was celebrating incredible individuals, with as equally incredible contributions in advancing affordable housing in our region. It was an honor to recognize:
Our Heartfelt Thanks
To our steadfast supporters, advocacy partners, NVAHA Board and Leadership Council members, your support and enthusiasm helped make this celebration possible.
A special thanks goes out to the Rising Housing Leaders who joined us. We look forward to highlighting your achievements and celebrating your work in the coming year.
We’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors. Your support is crucial, and we cannot do this important work without your generosity and commitment.
If you'd like to see more of the event, please check out our photo album!
Housing policy consultant/PHA Commissioner/Board member. Engaging communities and organizations in redesigning systems for a more equitable region
8 个月I enjoyed the in-depth discussions on critical issues, and the opportunity to celebrate regional housing leaders throughout our industry. It was a joy to reconnect with friends across the housing and community development space who have had such a positive impact on our communities. Thank you, Northern Virginia Affordable Housimg Alliance!