Affordable housing to be a key issue in General Assembly

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Housing advocates want, once again, to tackle the affordable housing crisis with legislation that could tap into one of the commonwealth’s longest-standing points of political tension.

That’s the General Assembly’s power to dictate to cities and counties — entities that have among the most influential voices in the halls of the Virginia Capitol.

In recent legislative sessions, local governments have said proposed state mandates on zoning codes and land-use regulation could override policies they’ve adopted in response to residents’ wishes. Legislators listened carefully, and agreed.

But the members of Commonwealth Housing Coalition think the price of homes and the rise in rents mean different voices will echo more loudly around the Capitol.