House Bill No. 181 will further allow the City of Roanoke to achieve its housing goals to provide affordable shelter for all residents. Roanoke, like most of the US, is experiencing a housing shortage that has emerged in the wake of the Great Recession. The creation of new housing units slowed and failed to keep pace with growth. Increased demand and stagnant supply have driven up costs for both homebuyers and renters. Housing costs have serious implications for households with limited incomes who end up paying a larger percentage of their income on rent or a mortgage. A quarter of Roanoke's households live in "unaffordable" housing; that is, housing that costs more than 30% of household income. This situation, known as being cost-burdened, results in ever-present stress and increases the vulnerability to eviction and potentially becoming homeless. Roanoke’s Planning staff has been working on removing barriers to housing for several years as it became apparent that a persistent shortage was emerging. City Plan 2040, adopted by City Council in 2020, called for new policies that would allow a range of housing options in every neighborhood including:
Housing that is safe, accessible, affordable, and varied. Ensuring complete neighborhoods – work to ensure every neighborhood should offer a wide range of housing options within or in close proximity to commercial areas that provide services, retail, and restaurants; schools and child care, places of worship; and parks and open space.
Ensuring residential areas with a mix of housing options (single-family, two-family, townhouse, and multifamily dwellings)
House Bill No. 181 will further allow the City of Roanoke to achieve its housing goals to provide affordable shelter for all residents. Roanoke, like most of the US, is experiencing a housing shortage that has emerged in the wake of the Great Recession. The creation of new housing units slowed and failed to keep pace with growth. Increased demand and stagnant supply have driven up costs for both homebuyers and renters. Housing costs have serious implications for households with limited incomes who end up paying a larger percentage of their income on rent or a mortgage. A quarter of Roanoke's households live in "unaffordable" housing; that is, housing that costs more than 30% of household income. This situation, known as being cost-burdened, results in ever-present stress and increases the vulnerability to eviction and potentially becoming homeless. Roanoke’s Planning staff has been working on removing barriers to housing for several years as it became apparent that a persistent shortage was emerging. City Plan 2040, adopted by City Council in 2020, called for new policies that would allow a range of housing options in every neighborhood including: Housing that is safe, accessible, affordable, and varied. Ensuring complete neighborhoods – work to ensure every neighborhood should offer a wide range of housing options within or in close proximity to commercial areas that provide services, retail, and restaurants; schools and child care, places of worship; and parks and open space. Ensuring residential areas with a mix of housing options (single-family, two-family, townhouse, and multifamily dwellings)