February 6, 2007
Contact: Jenny Hogan, Legislative Assistant
(804) 698-1057 or (434) 409-3342

RICHMOND – The Virginia House of Delegates passed by wide margins two bills initially sponsored by Delegate David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville) that will assist localities in addressing two significant problems – affordable housing and growth management.

The first will permit Charlottesville and Albemarle to create Affordable Housing Ordinances to allow increases in densities if builders create affordable units. Significantly, it will also allow the acceptance of cash payments by builders in lieu of the creation of affordable dwelling units. The payments will be deposited into a Housing Fund, the purpose of which will be to assist nonprofits in developing or preserving affordable housing for low and moderate income persons.

The second measure will help the city and county plan better for growth and protect property in rural areas. It permits the city and county to work together to concentrate growth where desirable through a program known as “Transfer of Development Rights,” a voluntary approach by which property owners can exchange the right to build in one area for increased densities in another.

“The desirability of this area continues to create challenges in the areas of growth management and affordable housing,” Toscano stated. “These bills will encourage localities to preserve open spaces and concentrate growth where the infrastructure currently exists while creating more affordable housing opportunities for our citizens.”