Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program; created, affordable dwelling unit policy incentives.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary text does not provide specific details about the funding amount or which localities are eligible for grants.

Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program

This bill creates a pilot program that provides grants to localities changing their zoning rules to build more affordable and mixed-income housing.

What This Bill Does

• Creates the Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program run by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
• Requires eligible localities to change their zoning policies to allow for building homes without special permission from local government, aiming to create and maintain mixed-income communities and affordable housing.
• Establishes guidelines for the program that must be set up by February 1, 2027.
• Gives priority to applications submitted after July 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local governments in Virginia that want to apply for grants under the Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program.
• People who will benefit from more affordable and mixed-income housing developments.

Terms To Know

eligible locality

A specific area or city in Virginia chosen by the bill to participate in the pilot program.

by-right development

Building homes according to zoning rules without needing special permission from local government.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify which localities are eligible for the grant.
• It is unclear how much funding will be available for grants under this program.
• The pilot program expires on July 1, 2029.

Official Summary Text

Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program created; affordable dwelling unit policy incentives; report.
Creates the Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. To be eligible for a grant from the Program, an eligible locality, as named in the bill, is required to make a change to its zoning policies to allow for by-right development that is expected to further the goal of creating and maintaining mixed-income communities, affordable housing, and moderately priced housing, as those terms are defined in the bill. The Department is required to establish certain guidelines for the Program and to notify eligible localities of the existence and purpose of the Program no later than February 1, 2027. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2029.

Current Bill Text

HB 1042

GENERAL LAWS

1. Line 26, introduced, after
of

insert

Alexandria,

GENERAL LAWS

2. Line 30, introduced, after
which the

strike

the remainder of line 30 and through
median
on line 31

insert

total housing costs, including utilities, is not greater than 30 percent of gross

GENERAL LAWS

3. After line 131, introduced

insert

4. That an eligible locality, as defined in §
36-176
of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, may submit an application for a grant from the Zoning for Housing Production Pilot Program created pursuant to §
36-178
of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, in response to changes made to its zoning ordinances between December 1, 2022, and June 30, 2026; however, the Department of Housing and Community Development shall give priority to applications received from an eligible locality in response to changes made to its zoning ordinances on or after July 1, 2026.