Testimony in Support of Your HBs for Virginia Housing

My name is Thom Stanton.

I am past president of the Tiny Home Industry Association, current State Chapter Leader in Virgina for the American Tiny House Association, and member of several Virginia based advocacy networks and meetup groups that address affordable housing. I live in Floyd County, Virginia, and am unfortunately unable to attend today’s session on such short notice.

In our professional and non-profit work, we have seen first hand the issues municipalities face when seeking to implement alternative housing solutions, so I wish to lend support to the affordable housing bills introduced by Delegate Samirah on behalf of a constituency of Virginians interested in small, safe, efficient, and affordable housing alternatives including Accessory Dwelling Units and Middle Housing.

Today, large metro areas throughout the U.S. are in a highly volatile “reactive state” due to an overall shortage of housing, increased burden from rising property taxes, higher costs for housing purchase, elevated rents due to increased demand, gentrification that creates displacement, longer commutes to work at greater cost, an escalated imbalance in economic stability, and an overwhelming rise of unsheltered residents.

This is a truly a vicious cycle and an ever expanding vortex that will demand attention if left unaddressed. I believe the bills proposed here offer a proactive approach at solving current and future housing issues in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In my opinion, providing some guidance through legislative action at the state level will open doors to alternative forms of housing that offer income potential for property owners, introduce housing where municipalities are otherwise “out of land,” increase density without overburdening infrastructure, provide a path to affordable housing in terms of local standards of living, and — most importantly — offer a truly attainable solution for those struggling to make ends meet each month and maintain a roof over their heads.

For obvious reasons, land use has great localized interest, and any form of seemingly overt regulation will likely face staunch opposition. However, when it comes to solutions for affordable, attainable, and resilient housing, I believe the tools are here in your hands. They are within your grasp.

Adopt these bills and put them to work for local planners, zoning administrators, and — most importantly — the citizens of Virginia.

Thank you for your time and consideration.