Housing

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 74: Affordable housing; local zoning ordinance authority.

Affordable housing; local zoning ordinance authority. Authorizes any locality in the Commonwealth to provide for an affordable housing dwelling unit program by amending the zoning ordinance of such locality. Current law restricts such authorization to counties with an urban county executive form of government or county manager plan of government and certain other localities. In addition to optional increases in density, the bill provides that such program may include certain additional implementation measures including lot size reductions and accessory housing unit allowances. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027, and is identical to HB 867.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes restrictions on localities creating affordable housing programs via zoning, directly advancing affordable housing development by expanding access to more jurisdictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 8, 2026

HB 15: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement.

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies; noncompliance with rental agreement; mandatory waiting period. Increases the mandatory waiting period for a landlord to pursue remedies for termination of the rental agreement from five days to 14 days. The waiting period begins after a landlord serves written notice on a tenant notifying the tenant of his nonpayment of rent and of the landlord's intention to terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid. This bill is identical to SB 48.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant protection by increasing landlord waiting period from 5 to 14 days before eviction for nonpayment, strengthening tenant rights under rental agreements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 8, 2026

HB 4: Affordable housing; preservation, definitions, civil penalty.

Preservation of affordable housing; definitions; civil penalty. Creates a framework for localities to preserve affordable housing by exercising a right of first refusal on publicly supported housing, defined in the bill. The bill authorizes localities to adopt an ordinance that requires an owner to accept a right of first refusal offer by the locality or qualified designee, defined in the bill, in order to preserve affordable housing for at least 15 years. The bill requires that any locality with a population greater than 3,500 adopting such an ordinance to preserve affordable housing submit an annual report to the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to existing law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates right of first refusal for localities to preserve affordable housing for 15+ years, directly protecting existing affordable units from conversion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 6, 2026

HB 770: Public utilities; water and sewerage companies, discounted rates for low-income customers.

Public utilities; water and sewerage companies; discounted rates for low-income customers. Provides that a public utility engaged in the business of furnishing water or sewerage facilities may propose and the State Corporation Commission may approve rates and tariff provisions that provide discounted service to customers with an annual household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill permits the utility to recover the costs of providing such discounted service through its rates for commercial and industrial customers. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and is identical to SB 650.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDiscounts utility rates for low-income households (80% median income), reducing housing cost burdens and supporting affordability as defined in topic.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 6, 2026

HB 527: Eviction Reduction Program; established, report.

Department of Housing and Community Development; Eviction Reduction Program; report. Establishes the Eviction Reduction Program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to expand the Department's work to (i) promote housing stability, (ii) identify factors that contribute to eviction filings, and (iii) provide interventions to prevent or divert evictions. The bill requires the Department to report annually to the General Assembly regarding the Program. The bill directs the Department to develop and include in its report criteria and guidelines necessary to administer the Program in consultation with stakeholders, including Eviction Diversion Program grantees as identified by the Department. This bill is identical to SB 628.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Eviction Reduction Program to prevent evictions, promote housing stability, and protect tenants - directly advancing tenant protections and housing stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 6, 2026

HB 837: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; Eviction Diversion Program, eligibility.

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; Eviction Diversion Program; eligibility. Requires any general district court that implements the Eviction Diversion Program to attach information about the Program, including eligibility criteria, to any summons for unlawful detainer. The bill also alters eligibility requirements for a tenant to participate in the Program. This bill is identical to SB 273.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands tenant access to eviction diversion program by altering eligibility and requiring court-provided program info, strengthening tenant protections against eviction.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 650: Public utilities; water and sewerage companies, discounted rates for low-income customers.

Public utilities; water and sewerage companies; discounted rates for low-income customers. Provides that a public utility engaged in the business of furnishing water or sewerage facilities may propose and the State Corporation Commission may approve rates and tariff provisions that provide discounted service to customers with an annual household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill permits the utility to recover the costs of providing such discounted service through its rates for commercial and industrial customers. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and is identical to HB 770.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides discounted utility rates for low-income households (80% median income), directly increasing housing affordability by reducing essential living costs for vulnerable residents.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Virginia · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 628: Eviction Reduction Program; established, report.

Department of Housing and Community Development; Eviction Reduction Program; report. Establishes the Eviction Reduction Program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to expand the Department's work to (i) promote housing stability, (ii) identify factors that contribute to eviction filings, and (iii) provide interventions to prevent or divert evictions. The bill requires the Department to report annually to the General Assembly regarding the Program. The bill directs the Department to develop and include in its report criteria and guidelines necessary to administer the Program in consultation with stakeholders, including Eviction Diversion Program grantees as identified by the Department. This bill is identical to HB 527.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Eviction Reduction Program to prevent evictions, promote housing stability, and protect tenants - directly aligns with tenant protection and housing stability indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

passed both · Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

HB 1093: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, attorney fees capped.

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies; tenant's right of redemption; attorney fees. Limits attorney fees to $100 when, prior to the initial court date on an action for unlawful detainer, a tenant makes full payment of all money due for (i) rent as of the date of payment; (ii) any late fees authorized by law and the rental agreement; (iii) any damages; and (iv) court costs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps attorney fees at $50 for tenant redemption, reducing financial barriers to resolving unlawful detainer cases and strengthening tenant protections under housing law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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passed · Virginia · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 717: Transit-oriented housing overlay districts; definitions, ordinances, report, sunset.

Transit-oriented housing overlay districts. Requires certain localities to establish one or more transit-oriented housing overlay districts covering qualifying areas, as defined in the bill, within their boundaries. The bill provides that within such overlay districts, the locality shall permit, by right, a minimum height of six stories and a minimum average density of 30 units per acre within one-quarter of a mile of a major transit stop and allow two units per lot and four units per corner lot between one-quarter of a mile and one mile from a such a stop. The bill further provides that applications for such housing development shall be approved ministerially by the zoning administrator or other designated official and that no public hearing is required for approval. The bill allows certain areas within a locality to be excluded from its provisions and sunsets on September 1, 2030. The bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates localities to permit up to 10 dwelling units per lot in transit districts, overriding single-family zoning restrictions to increase housing density and development.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates transit-oriented housing districts to increase density near transit, directly promoting public transit usage and sustainable transportation access per TOD principles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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