Zoning reforms aim to tackle housing crisis in Roanoke

During a recent government meeting, community members voiced their concerns and insights regarding housing affordability and zoning reforms in Roanoke. The discussions highlighted the pressing need for affordable housing options and the historical context of segregation in the city.

One speaker, Joe Bryson, emphasized the worsening housing affordability crisis, noting that low and moderate-income households, including essential workers like teachers and police officers, are increasingly struggling to meet their housing costs. He pointed out that Roanoke ranks among the most segregated cities in Virginia, a situation rooted in historical policies that enforced racial segregation. Bryson praised the recent zoning reforms enacted in March, which aim to increase housing supply and density, as a crucial step toward addressing these issues.

Christy Wills, a lifelong resident of Roanoke, shared her personal experiences with housing in the city, reflecting on her grandmother's life in a multifamily housing complex in the 1930s. Wills expressed hope that the zoning amendments would create more affordable housing options for future generations, allowing her children to remain in the city. She criticized the current housing market, where rising costs do not correlate with improvements in living conditions.

The meeting underscored a collective call for continued support and implementation of zoning reforms to enhance housing affordability and reduce segregation, with community members urging the council to remain committed to these initiatives.