Fairfax County Times, August 30, 2024 by Brian Koziol and Isabel McLain

Currently, nearly one million Virginians struggle to pay for food and other necessities because their monthly rent or mortgage payments are more than their income can sustain. Those struggling with these costs include 28 percent of households in Northern Virginia. According to the 2021 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study on Affordable Housing, most Virginians who struggle with high housing costs are those working in professions most vital to our communities. They include nurses, firefighters, paramedics, teaching assistants, home health aides, waiters, bus drivers, and others. If we want to continue to grow the economy in Virginia, we need to ensure that all residents have the resources they need for a safe and affordable place to call home.

Affordable housing comes in many forms, such as a single-family home, a townhome, an apartment, or a mobile home. While there is no single definition of affordable housing, housing is often considered “affordable” if the resident(s) spends no more than 30% of their income on housing costs.

Right now, Northern Virginia needs over 60,500 new affordable rental housing units to alleviate the high housing prices in these areas and ensure everyone has a place to call home. This is simple supply-and-demand economics—more units will reduce the pressure on costs since there will be more options for homebuyers and renters. However, building affordable housing takes time and money, and many families need assistance right now.

One sensible and realistic solution is to provide rental assistance to families with school-age children most impacted by the housing affordability crisis. Parental income is one of the most substantial factors in how children perform in school, and the achievement gap by family income is significant. Children from low to middle-income households are more likely to experience housing instability, which has been shown to undermine academic achievement. Numerous studies indicate that children who change schools or are frequently absent experience decreased educational achievement. Not surprisingly, changing schools and absenteeism are two of the most common consequences of housing instability.

The General Assembly and governor can make a bold investment in the future of the state and school-aged children by funding a statewide rent relief program. The 5000 Families pilot program, proposed by the Virginia Housing Alliance and over a dozen other organizations, would target families with school-aged children who meet specific qualifications. The program would provide monthly rent relief to 5,000 families to keep their rent affordable for the long term.

This powerful strategy allows families to stay in their current home or find a more stable, permanent home. They are empowered to make the best decision for their family and achieve long-term housing stability, thus creating a solid foundation for success at school and every stage of life.

When our legislators discuss what can and can’t be included in the next state budget in January, the 5,000 Families program must be a priority. Virginia can afford and should invest in this initiative, especially considering that spending on all housing programs accounted for only 0.69% of the state’s general funds in the most recent fiscal year.

It’s not just what we say that matters, but what we’re willing to fund. Where the state puts our taxpayer dollars says a lot about our leaders’ priorities. Fewer priorities are more important than ensuring the next generation of all Virginians are given the strongest foundation for success. That starts at home.

Brian Koziol is the Executive Director of the Virginia Housing Alliance. He can be reached at brian@vahousingalliance.org. Isabel McLain is the Director of Policy and Advocacy of the Virginia Housing Alliance. She can be reached at imclain@vahousingalliance.org.