Arlington Rents Drop 15%
A survey of the nation’s 50 largest cities finds that COVID-19 disrupted the rental market in expensive cities, like Arlington. The change in annual trend started late March as COVID-19 concerns intensified. At the same time rents rose in midsize cities. The survey notes that expensive rental markets possess many renters able to telework, eliminating the need to live close to work. Also, laid-off workers became unable to continue paying high rents. The farther away from city centers, rents have not declined as much. Further declines are not anticipated. Survey at Apartment List
Red Top Site: Shorter Building, More Units
Red Top Site: Shorter Building, More Units
Oct 28 Missing Middle Housing Study Begins
Missing Middle Housing Study Kick Off Event Online
When: Wed, Oct 28 at 7PM
Where: Online Meeting Website
The Missing Middle Housing Study will explore how new housing types could help address Arlington’s shortfall in housing supply and gaps in housing choices.
● What housing types are appropriate for Arlington?
● Where could new types of housing be located?
● What would the infrastructure and environmental impacts be? How could they be mitigated?
● How much would new types cost, and what impact would that have on Arlington’s housing market?
Tense Meeting on “Upzoning” Residential Areas
County Board members were queried about a planned study of zoning during a Jan 2 housing forum. At issue is the desire by some to “upzone” single-family neighborhoods to accommodate more properties. The goal is to keep costs of Arlington housing from growing unaffordable for middle-income residents.
A bill introduced for the 2020 General Assembly session would eliminate single-family zoning across all of Virginia.
Va House Bill 152 Would Ban Single-Family Residential Zoning
“None of us are interested in destroying all our single-family neighborhoods,” said new County Board Chairman Libby Garvey.
More at Sun Gazette
County Expands Areas for Elder Care Facilities
To to promote housing options for seniors and persons with disabilities., the County Board voted to amend the Zoning Ordinance. The change allows new assisted living and similar facilities in areas where multifamily development is already allowed. The change also lowers parking requirements at these facilities.
The amendment expands permissible areas to 18 zoning districts located near and along Arlington’s major planning corridors. Designated areas in Lyon Village are primarily along Lee Hwy and Wilson Blvd (shaded areas on map). Some of these areas currently include single-family houses.
News Release: Arlington to Allow Elder Care Facilities In More Areas
“Housing Arlington” Initiative Launched
County Board seeks ways to solve Arlington’s affordable housing shortage by leveraging existing county housing programs, zoning changes, and private-public partnerships.
Six initiatives fall within the overall Housing Arlington program:
1 Land Use Tools
● Accessory Dwelling Regulations Update
● Elder Care Zoning Study
● Bonus Density
● Plan Lee Highway
● Housing Conservation District
● Missing Middle Housing Study
2 Financial Tools
3 Institutional Partnerships
4 County Employee Housing
5 Condominium Initiative
6 Affordable Housing Master Plan Review
No mention of transit
Did failure to address Columbia Pike transit hamper development in the parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties most available for affordable housing?