Spotsylvania Courthouse VA
2-22-2026 11:25pm

From the Editor‘s Desk: Local and State housing advocacy groups are joining together to urge the VA General Assembly to pass bills to promote Affordable Housing.

Commonwealth Housing Coalition

by John Williams, 

Editor, The Spotsylvania Gazette 
February 22, 2026

Several weeks ago, 15 minutes Fredericksburg, a local housing advocacy group and a  founding member of the Commonwealth Housing Coalition joined other Housing advocacy groups to travel to Richmond to lobby both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate to pass 5 bills promoting this issue.  The 5 bills include the following:

1. Faith in Housing 

HB 1279 - Del. Josh Cole

SB 367 - Sen. Carroll Foy

SB 388 - Sen. McPike

This legislation protects the right of faith

institutions and certain property tax

exempt non-profits to build income

restricted, affordable homes on land

they own.
It would reduce the time in the rezoning process. 

2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

ADUs become a permitted use in all single-family zoning districts.

  1. Every homeowner can build at least one ADU.
  2. A simple ADU permit with a fee cap of $500.
  3. Reasonable local regulation on building code, safety, environmental standards, and parking replacement if required space is lost.
  4. 30+ day lease minimum to prevent short-term rentals.
  5. Owner-occupancy allowed for either the ADU or the main home at time of application.

3. Housing Near Jobs

HB 816 - Del. Helmer

SB 454 - Sen. VanValkenburg

This legislation allows multi-family homes

to be approved administratively by local

governments in commercial zones.

Proposals that include income-restricted,

affordable homes shall be granted

expedited review. Furthermore, the bill

develops standards by which this

approval process must take place.

4. Housing Targets

Del Dan Helmer

Statewide housing targets for localities. Requires localities to increase their total housing stock by at least 7.5 percent over the five-year period beginning January 1, 2028. The bill provides that in order to meet such 7.5 percent growth target, a locality shall develop a housing growth plan that best meets the needs of the locality while meeting the growth target rates

5. Parking Reform
Minimum parking requirements; prohibition on mandates by localities. Provides that no locality shall adopt, enforce, or maintain any ordinance, policy, or requirement that mandates a minimum number of parking spaces for any new or existing building, structure, or other use. The bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2026. This bill was incorporated into HB 888.

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