During a recent Alexandria Planning Commission meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the Alex West draft Small Area Plan, particularly around housing affordability and displacement risks for low-income residents.

Ingrid Moran, lead organizer of Tenants and Workers United, emphasized the need for the plan to address the potential displacement of working-class families in the West End. She criticized the plan for not guaranteeing the preservation and creation of deeply affordable housing, noting that the current affordable housing requirements only cater to those earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which excludes many community members. Moran urged the commission to increase the percentage of deeply affordable housing in new developments and to implement anti-displacement measures to protect existing residents.

Shelley Murphy McCabe, co-chair of the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of minimizing displacement while maximizing affordability. She called for developers to comply with tenant assistance and relocation policies when their projects displace low-income residents. Murphy McCabe also expressed concern over the lack of units affordable to those earning below 60% AMI, urging the city to explore additional tools to enhance affordability without requiring significant financial investment.

Peter Sutherland, representing the Alexandria chapter of YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, raised concerns about the decrease in market-affordable units and suggested increasing the baseline height for developments to allow for more housing options. He also questioned the necessity of current parking minimums, advocating for a reassessment to facilitate development.

The discussions highlighted a shared urgency among community members and officials to ensure that the Alex West Small Area Plan effectively addresses housing needs while preventing displacement, as the city navigates the complexities of urban redevelopment. The commission is expected to consider these concerns as they move forward with the planning process.