Affordable housing and infill development across six districts
Richmond
Summary
The RKG market study shows most new units would be market-rate, developer-driven, and concentrated in affluent areas — with two-thirds at nodes and corridors and little market growth in parts of the Southside. Council members demanded deeper affordability tools and more data.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 11
- Last 30 days
- 6
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Oct 5, 2026, up from 2 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
The code alone doesn't build affordable housing — members say extra incentives, trust fund money, and new state tools are needed.
Renters and first-time buyers could eventually benefit from more supply and smaller housing products.
Council members warned that lower-income residents and historically Black neighborhoods face displacement risk if teardowns and investor purchases accelerate.
Mentions & discussions (11)
City Council — November 9, 2026
The Council will take up a batch of special-use ordinances for townhouses, duplexes and a 100-unit apartment building, plus a new Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee. Together they shape where and how new housing gets built in Richmond neighborhoods.
Planning Commission — November 2, 2026
A request to allow up to four single-family attached dwellings on Rear Monument Avenue in the Museum District. The Museum District Association weighed in, and public comment letters were part of the record.
Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee — October 20, 2026
Council Member Breton and Mayor Avula want a formal advisory committee to help shape the city's affordable housing dwelling unit program. The ordinance has been continued multiple times and now waits until November 17.
City Council — October 13, 2026
Speakers split on the zoning rewrite: Porter argued housing supply outpaces population growth, while Britt and others said Richmond needs more density to keep businesses and young residents. Walker opposed the proposed household definition.
Informal Meeting — October 13, 2026
The city is dedicating 2.5% of real estate tax revenue to affordable housing and revising its zoning code to produce more housing. Councilwoman Gibson warned the code refresh could accelerate teardowns and displacement, and wants the impact studied before changes move forward.
Organizational Development Standing Committee — October 5, 2026
Council Member Trammell said residents citywide — especially seniors in her district — oppose the mayor's Code Refresh, fearing backyard units, parking, and trash problems. Mayor Avula defended it as a way to build more housing supply and moderate costs.
Planning Commission — August 18, 2026
A plan to combine six parcels near Hampton, Powhatan and South Meadow streets into one multifamily home with off-street parking drew eight speakers and debate over parking and traffic. The commission still recommended approval.
Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee — July 15, 2026
$3.17 million from last year's budget would go to programs helping Richmond residents with housing costs, run by Presbyterian Homes and Family Services, the Legal Aid Society's Freeze Program, and Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation.
City Council — June 15, 2026
The RKG market study shows most new units would be market-rate, developer-driven, and concentrated in affluent areas — with two-thirds at nodes and corridors and little market growth in parts of the Southside. Council members demanded deeper affordability tools and more data.
City Council — May 26, 2026
Council passed two resolutions asking staff to study tools that could help the housing crunch: a registry that tracks which homes actually carry affordability restrictions (expanded to include for-profit landlords), and a feasibility study on the city buying land to build affordable housing. Both pass studies, not new programs yet — the real decisions come later.
City Council — May 11, 2026
RISC members celebrated that the adopted budget finally puts $11.7 million into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund per the 2.5% real estate tax revenue ordinance, after the mayor's draft misallocated it. By law 30% must serve households at 30% of area median income.
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Brook Road multifamily special use
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511 North Meadow Street retail special use
Adds a neighborhood commercial space at street level.
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