Legislation that would allow localities to negotiate for affordable rental units during the review of special exception applications for assisted living facilities received approval by the House of Delegates on Thursday afternoon.
The bill, introduced by Del. Atoosa Reaser (D-27), only applies to localities with affordable housing programs, of which Virginia currently has seven, including Loudoun.
Reaser attempted a more stringent version of the bill last year, which would have authorized local governments to require the affordable units, but it was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“I’ve changed some language to make it a little more friendly to being a free-market bill,” she told a House committee meeting Jan. 17.
Allowing this type of negotiation could result in a developer being permitted to build higher density projects, which would also increase the housing supply for senior citizens, she said.
The bill is supported by LeadingAge Virginia, an association for not-for-profit aging services organizations that serve clients across the senior care spectrum.
Read the full article: https://www.loudounnow.com/news/affordable-assisted-living-negotiations-bill-clears-house/article_2ce3948c-da8a-11ef-b223-2bd0657bdfc2.html