Alexandria city council given report on affordable housing

June 20, 11:45 AMAlexandria City Buzz ExaminerBarbara Maxwell

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On June 13th, the Alexandria city council received the final report of the city’s Affordable Housing Initiatives Work Group at a public hearing. The work group, chaired by councilman Ludwig Gaines and councilman Rob Krupicka, met regularly over the past two years to consider affordable housing policies, discuss challenges, and review national best practices on affordable housing preservation and development.  

One of the key findings of the final report is that despite extensive city and private-sector initiatives, there has been a significant loss of affordable rental and ownership housing in the city over the past decade. Preservation of affordable housing is a top priority, and the report recommends making changes to the city’s homeownership programs to create long-term affordability when purchase assistance is provided. Other recommendations (most notably, a priority housing unit policy for preserving over 3,400 publicly-assisted rental units) will be addressed in the Housing Master Plan to be developed over the coming year, or will be held for consideration until the city’s fiscal situation improves. The council also approved the work group’s recommendations for an annual “report card” to measure the city’s affordable housing progress.

Alexandria mayor William D. Euille said, “This report reflects many hours of work on the part of councilman Gaines, councilman Krupicka, and other members of the work group in exploring the issues related to affordable housing and in developing specific policy guidance to help preserve and develop affordable housing for city residents.”  

For more information, contact Mildrilyn Davis, Director, Office of Housing, at 703.746.4990 or e-mail mildrilyn.davis@alexandriava.gov