HousingForward Virginia’s Research Library is sorted by topic and geographic focus. All our resources can be sorted by geographic category: National, Virginia, and Other States. Our resources span some of the best and most widely cited housing and related research that is publicly available online. Our database is always growing as recent studies and reports are added, so please check back often.
Loudoun County Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (September 2021)
The Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (PDF), approved in September 2021, defines how the county will address the unmet housing needs of households in a systematic and comprehensive way with integrated programs. The plan recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the housing issue; it will take multiple approaches applied in combination to address the issue of housing affordability; and there is no one type of housing need. The plan was developed through a strategic planning process as a key implementation step of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
Read MoreHousing GVA: Goochland County Housing Study & Strategy (HDAdvisors, April 2021)
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.
Read MoreCity of Harrisonburg Comprehensive Housing Study & Market Analysis (February 2021)
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.
Read MoreBath County Housing Needs Assessment & Market Analysis (March 2020)
The purpose of the study is to understand and quantify the county's housing affordability and availability challenge, envision how the county’s quality of life could change in light of a shrinking year-round population and limited workforce housing options, and offer tools and strategies for addressing the issue.
Read MoreFarmville/Prince Edward County Housing Study (HDAdvisors, September 2019)
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.
Read MoreCity of Falls Church Master Plan: Housing (August 2019)
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.
Read MoreFairfax County Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan (June 2018)
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).
Read MoreJames City County Housing Conditions Study (2016)
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.
Read MoreCity of Alexandria Housing Master Plan (December 2013)
The 2014 Housing Master Plan (HMP) sets forth principles, goals, and strategies to address the City's housing needs through 2025. The HMP's housing affordability goals are augmented by the 2020 Regional Housing Initiative which establishes housing production targets through 2030.
Read MorePeople, Inc. Community Needs Assessment (May 2021)
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.
Read MoreRoanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Housing Market Study (December 2020)
The goals and purpose of the Study are to: 1) Identify housing needs and provide both a region-wide and locality-specific housing market analysis. 2) Identify housing supply and demand issues and opportunities within the region and within each of the four sub-geographies. 3) Advance economic development opportunities by addressing housing concerns. 4) Develop regional and locality-specific recommendations to address housing needs. 5) Engage stakeholders to help understand housing needs/challenges and create a shared understanding of that need.
Read MoreMartinsville/Henry County Housing Study (July 2020)
This study was carried out to determine the extent of housing needs in Martinsville and Henry County with a focus on rental housing.
Read MoreRichlands Housing Needs Assessment (April 2020)
This report includes a variety of data sets related to demographics, economics and housing relative to Richlands, Virginia, with focus on the downtown commercial district, referred to as the Downtown Study Area (DSA) throughout the report. It includes housing gap estimates for rental housing at various income levels and provides housing plan recommendations that the authors believe will address housing issues and enable the Town of Richlands and Tazewell County to better to plan for the future.
Read MoreRichmond Regional Housing Framework (PHARVA, January 2020)
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.
Read MoreAffordable Housing in Virginia (JLARC, December 2021)
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.
Read MoreLeague of Women Voters Affordable Housing Study Report
The focus of this study is renter households at 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) or below -- the population with the most serious need for affordable housing. We include people experiencing homelessness, who will eventually enter rental housing. Housing is considered “affordable” if rent and utilities consume no more than 30% of the household’s total monthly income.
Read MoreU.S. Housing and Urban Development 2013 Article on using Mixed Income Housing Programs to Deconcentrate Poverty
HUD's mixed income housing program is a federal policy aimed at deconcentrating poverty in affordable housing developments. This Federal report details the theory and programmatic details for Mixed Income Housing.
Read More2012 US Department of Transportation Study On Regional Transportation Best Practices
Regionalism and a regional approach to transportation is key to deconcentrating poverty. This Federal report summarizes best practices in creating regional transportation entities.
Read More2010 VA Poverty Task Force Report
In 2009 and 2010 the State of Virginia convened a task force to look comprehensively at State-level policies aimed at alleviating poverty for Virginians. This summary report details existing programs, challenges and ultimately recommendations.
Read MorePRRAC Study On Why Vouchers Don’t Eliminate Concentrated Poverty
HUD Section Vouchers were intended to deconcentrate poverty by providing choice in the communities in which voucher holders could live. However, in practice, the program has done little on its own to deconcentrate poverty.
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