The picturesque rural setting and strong community of Goochland County has been why many residents continue to call Goochland home, but those same characteristics have drawn residents from near and far. The attractiveness of Goochland County has only increased as COVID-19’s impacts on the housing market are being felt as new buyers look for more open space and privacy. But Goochland County faces a difficult balancing act: preserving its rural character while also ensuring that a diverse set of people can afford to live there. This report was prepared by HDAdvisors, who also staffs HousingForward Virginia.
The more than 200-page report, the first ever conducted by the City, views housing needs through the lens of social determinants of health, introduced by the World Health Organization, to quantify existing housing supply, assess demand for different housing types, identify barriers to meeting demands, and list potential policy tools to address housing gaps. The study produced 21 recommendations structured to establish a foundation to address affordable housing now and in the future.
While the amount of new housing estimated to be produced in the Study Area given current trends is sufficient to meet future needs, the price point and housing size are not targeted to the population’s needs. This report was prepared by HDAdvisors, who also staffs HousingForward Virginia.
The Comprehensive Plan serves as the official policy guide for shaping the future of the City. It establishes strategies for housing efforts and projects to achieve the City’s vision. This chapter recognizes that implementation must remain flexible to changing conditions and that priorities will change.
The Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan includes two phases. Phase 1 of the Plan identifies 25 short-term strategies that can be implemented, without major policy or revenue impacts, to encourage and produce additional housing units within the county. The strategies, which were adopted in June 2018, are expected to take one to two years to implement. Phase 2 of the plan looks at long-term strategies, tools, policies and resources to support the development and preservation of housing that is affordable in our community. To support the efforts of Phase 2 and to garner additional community input, the Board of Supervisors created an Affordable Housing Resources Panel (AHRP).
James City County commissioned this study to survey housing conditions and to quantify housing needs related to poor condition and lack of affordable and appropriate housing options. The Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) at Virginia Tech and czb, LLC teamed up to collect data, conduct data analysis and provide strategy recommendations to County staff.
People Incorporated is the Community Action Agency for 13 counties and 3 cities in Virginia. As a part of its mandate, and in order to provide the best and most comprehensive anti-poverty services, the agency undertakes a major triennial community needs assessment. The findings from this assessment are used to inform the agency’s selection and delivery of services in each community it serves. People Incorporated hopes that the information in this report can also be used throughout Virginia by other non-profits and local governments to best serve the most disadvantaged members of our community.
The housing challenges confronting metropolitan Richmond are varied and complex, ranging from homelessness to affordable homeownership. The Partnership for Housing Affordability has led a collaborative effort to create a Regional Housing Framework to encourage consistent, collective focus in addressing the region’s shared housing challenges.
In 2020, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission directed staff to conduct a review of affordable housing in Virginia. JLARC staff were asked to report on the number of Virginia households that are housing cost burdened; the supply of affordable quality housing statewide and by region; the state’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing and make existing housing more affordable through direct financial assistance; and the effectiveness of the management of the state’s housing assistance programs.
A report by the National Housing Trust (NHT) and Energy Efficiency For All (EEFA) identifies 10 prominent strategies in use by state Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) to reduce operating expenses in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) properties.