The clear path to addressing the housing crisis in Norfolk and the 757 is to increase the supply of housing while also protecting our existing housing stock. We’ve seen this
play out in cities like Austin where just by building new market rate housing they’ve stabilized home prices and rental rates. Recent
JLARC studies show that the region is short 50,000 units. Norfolk can’t compete with Richmond, Raleigh, or cities right here in our backyard if there’s not enough housing to go around.
The beautiful part of building more housing is that this policy can make our neighborhoods even better versions of themselves. Instead of the block busting policies of the past that saw entire neighborhoods bulldozed, we can keep our neighborhood character intact. Through incremental development, slotting in an average of one or two houses per street, we’ll have more space for our aging parents, our young adult children and other new neighbors. More people in our neighborhoods give us more eyes on the street to keep us safe, it gives us more customers to support small businesses, and it helps us keep Norfolk an attractive place to live.
Funding the Housing Trust Fund
We have taken the important early steps to establish a housing trust fund and now we must provide the necessary funding for its success. Cities like Richmond and Charlottesville have successfully used housing trust funds to support the development of affordable housing, stabilize neighborhoods, and preserve the affordability of existing housing stock. Norfolk can follow in their footsteps by using this tool to increase the availability of affordable housing, ensure that residents have access to safe and decent homes, and help preserve the affordability of existing housing.
Expeditious Sale of City-Owned Land
With Norfolk being 97% built out, available land for housing is incredibly scarce. Yet, the City of Norfolk remains one of the larger owners of vacant land within its boundaries. One time tested way to increase housing supply is by making this underutilized city-owned land available to local developers for housing. I am committed to ensuring that Norfolk expedites the sale of these parcels, prioritizing local developers who are invested in our community. By accelerating the sale process, we can quickly turn vacant or underutilized land into vibrant, affordable housing that meets the needs of our residents. This approach not only increases the housing stock but also revitalizes neighborhoods and stimulates local economic growth.
Streamlining Process
I hear consistent feedback and concern about our site plan and building permit review processes in the City of Norfolk. These processes add significant costs and deter capable developers from choosing to develop in our city. We need to streamline these processes with a goal of delivering developers a more efficient, predictable, and cost effective way to build the housing our city needs.
Zoning Reforms
Specifically to allow for the construction of more incremental housing in Norfolk, I’m supporting several zoning reforms. First, I’ll prioritize expanded access for ADUs and missing middle development by removing excessive minimum lot sizes and setbacks. These will allow us to add more housing to our neighborhoods without disrupting the character we love. Second, I support expanding the elimination of parking requirements that drive up the cost of construction and block infill development. There are already areas of the city where this has spurred significant economic development such as Park Place / Railroad District. Eliminating these dated requirements doesn’t eliminate parking but rather allows the market, the use, and the character of the neighborhood to influence having the right amount of parking.
Affordable Housing for All
As we work to increase housing supply, we must ensure that affordability and support for our most vulnerable populations remain at the forefront. I am committed to implementing strategies that incentivize developers to include affordable units in new developments, ensuring that low- and moderate-income families have access to quality housing. Norfolk should continue to work with developers to create mixed-income communities that deconcentrate poverty and provide opportunities for residents across the income spectrum.
Moreover, addressing the housing crisis also means ensuring that our most vulnerable residents—low-income families, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness—are not left behind. We will also provide targeted assistance and collaborate with nonprofits and social service organizations to deliver the wraparound services that these populations need to thrive. By focusing on creating inclusive, mixed-income neighborhoods and deconcentrating poverty, we can build a more equitable Norfolk where all residents have the opportunity to succeed.
Thoughtful Tax Reform
Property taxes contribute significantly to housing costs for renters and owners alike. I supported the recent property tax rate reduction and believe we should continue to carefully consider the impact of property taxes on housing affordability. See my policies on
“Thoughtful Tax Reform” for more information.
Easy to Work With See my policies on
“Easy to Work With” for more about how we’ll reduce the bureaucracy in City Hall, which will help us increase the housing supply.
