1. MEETING HOUSING NEEDS IN RURAL VIRGINIA VML Annual Conference October 07, 2019
Jonathan Knopf
Senior Associate

2. What is Housing Virginia?
Housing Virginia is a broad based, statewide nonprofit partnership of public and private organizations and committed individuals. We believe that all Virginians should have access to high quality, affordable housing in suitable locations.
Housing Virginia exists to address the large-scale housing issues that we face by:
Informing discussions with data and information,
Connecting the dots between housing and other critical issues, and
Unlocking opportunities with communications and trainings.

3. Housing Virginia’s Rural Initiative:
Launched at 2015 Governor’s Housing Conference
Report issued in 2017; three major components:
Current state of rural housing in Virginia
Direct provider feedback
Best practices and policy options
Continued engagement in 2019

4. rural-housing-initiative
housingvirginia.org/
rural-housing-initiative

5. Descriptively... How do we define Rural Virginia?

6. ...or culturally? How do we define Rural Virginia?

7. What’s the matter with Rural Virginia?
Rural areas accounted for only 6% of Virginia’s population growth between 2000 and 2010.
Since 2010, many rural counties have seen declining populations due to:
Outmigration of Millennials to urban areas
Shrinking birthrates as Baby Boomers age and retire
Rural Virginia is “greying” at a faster rate: Seniors will account for over 20% of the population in many rural areas by 2020.

8. Direct provider feedback
Top Needs
Top Gaps
Top Trends
Rehabilitation of
Lack of affordable
Increasing demand for 1
substandard housing
financing
rental housing
Lack of infrastructure 2
Shortage of affordable
Flat or declining
(public transit,
rentals
incomes
water/sewer, etc.)
Home accessibility
Limited capacity of
Growing senior 3
modifications for aging
providers
population
in place

9. Policy
Solutions

10. Accommodating growing senior population
Safety/accessibility improvements
Volunteer and co-op self- help models
New low-cost senior rentals
Medicaid for home improvements
Centralize resources

11. Improve quality of existing housing
Expand rehab programs
Find new resources for energy efficiency
Expand utilization of USDA-RD 504 program
Promote volunteer networks for repairs
Create demolition / replacement programs

12. Increase affordable, quality rental housing
Mixed-income development in towns
Preserve and enhance older rental stock
Pursue Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) deals (and other subsidy programs)
Local incentive packages

13. Expand homeownership opportunities
Re-convert rentals to ownership
Support homes that are modest size and cost
Synchronize new housing with job centers
Improve access to credit repair and counseling

14. Re-think manufactured housing
Targeted replacement
Engage manufacturers to encourage quality
Improve financing options
Encourage placement on permanent foundations on owned land
Revitalize parks

15. Innovations and
Opportunities

16. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

17. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

18. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

19. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

20. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

21. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

22. HousingX conference: Richmond, May 2019

23. Help localities assess and address local/regional housing needs
VHDA Community Impact Grants
Richmond region: Cross- jurisdictional housing policy framework
Farmville / Prince Edward: Detailed housing needs and market analysis
New River Valley: Regional solutions and strategic training
Thomas Jefferson PDC: Regional analysis of housing needs
Help localities assess and address local/regional housing needs

24. Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac “Duty to Serve”
“Duty to Serve” (DTS) rule requires GSEs to increase housing finance options for low- and moderate-income buyers
Implementation began in January 2018
Focus on three underserved markets (above)
Chattel Loan Pilot: 1,500 to 3,000 chattel loans in

25. Growth in Land Banks across Virginia
Land Bank Entities Act (2016) allows localities to establish or designate land bank entities
Land banks return underutilized properties (vacant, blighted, tax delinquent) back to productive use
Localities assist by providing funding and property transfers
Over 100 land banks across the nation

26. Growth in Land Banks across Virginia
Charlottesville Land Bank Corporation
MWCLT / Richmond Land Bank
Total Action for Progress
Chesapeake Land Bank Authority
Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation

27. Manufactured Home Community Coalition of VA

28. www.mhccv.org Manufactured Home Community Coalition of VA MISSION
To support families living in manufactured home parks by working to ensure access to legal, financial, and material resources and a favorable policy environment.
Educate and empower residents
Transition to nonprofit and resident ownership
Statewide hub for technical assistance

29. Farmville Tiny Home Village

30. Danville Manufactured Home Infill Pilot

31. Virginia Rural Housing Directory
Housing Virginia resources
housingvirginia.org/
mapbook
Virginia Rural Housing Directory

32. Let us come help you! Housing Virginia resources On the road in 2019:
Rural meetings with REALTOR groups
Virginia Housing Commission
American Planning Association Virginia Chapter annual conference
Virginia Association of Zoning Officials annual conference
VCU Land Use Education Program
Virginia Beach Housing Advisory Board
Rural Planning Caucus
League of Women Voters
Let us come help you!

33. Thank you! Jonathan Knopf jonathan@hdadvisors.net 804 915 7899