Governor Spanberger Convenes First Meeting of Commission on Unlocking Housing Production

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today convened the first meeting of the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production to guide her Administration's work to increase housing supply, open more pathways for first-time homebuyers, and make housing more affordable for families across the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth is facing a deficit of nearly 300,000 affordable rental homes. Meanwhile, Virginia's median home price is now over $400,000. Governor Spanberger is taking action at a time when low supply and financial barriers are putting homeownership out of reach for many Virginia families. On her first day in office through Executive Order 3, the Governor created the Commission - tasked with advising the Governor on how state laws, regulations, and administrative practices may be revised to increase the production of housing. The Commission will also review state agency proposals and provide advisory recommendations to the Administration, assessing each proposal's potential impact.

"Starting day one, my priority has been delivering meaningful results for all Virginians - and housing that families can actually afford is one of the top concerns I hear across every region of the Commonwealth," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "This commission is an important step in aligning state resources and strengthening partnerships to expand housing opportunities and increase the housing supply across Virginia. Although today's housing challenges have been decades in the making, the right strategies can change our trajectory and create more housing options for more families."

"The Governor's commitment to growing an economy that works for every Virginian includes a critical focus on affordable housing," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "We are convening a range of public and private partners to thoroughly evaluate any solution that can help increase housing production and reduce housing costs in every region of Virginia. Commissioners are united by a shared goal to drive housing growth as economic growth, and I'm grateful for each member's service in providing innovative recommendations that can move the needle on the Commonwealth's housing needs."

Under Governor Spanberger's leadership, Virginia continues to make addressing housing costs a top priority. Earlier this year, the Governor signed Virginia's biennial budget which allocates nearly $100 million for expanding housing development and helping more Virginians find housing they can afford. That investment includes record funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, which aims to create and support affordable housing developments across the Commonwealth.

The commission is chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade and includes representatives from Virginia Housing, Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Virginia Resources Authority (VRA), Department of Taxation (TAX), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Department of Historic Resources (DHR), and Department of General Services (DGS), and additional members selected by the chair to ensure participation from local governments and industry. The Commission will meet regularly to monitor housing production across the Commonwealth and advise the administration on additional actions that could further increase housing output.

"This commission brings together partners and resources from across the Commonwealth to expand and preserve affordable housing and help communities overcome barriers that limit their housing supply," said Virginia Housing CEO Tammy Neale. "By working collaboratively with organizations statewide, we can support practical, measurable progress that ensures Virginians have access to homes they can afford."

"The Department of Housing and Community Development serves as a powerful bridge that connects statewide vision with on-the-ground execution," said DHCD Director Dr. Tamarah Holmes. "No single agency or locality can solve Virginia's housing shortage, but by aligning our resources, deploying funding, streamlining processes and partnering directly with local leaders, we can remove barriers, accelerate housing production and strengthen communities across the Commonwealth."

In addition to supporting record investments in new housing, the Governor recently signed into law a series of bills that aim to cut red tape that prevents housing development, protect Virginians from hidden fees in rental agreements, and ease burdens faced by first-time homebuyers. In addition, the Governor signed her entire Affordable Virginia Agenda into law, which aims to lower housing, healthcare, and energy costs for Virginians.

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