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Resident urges county action as New Kent housing costs climb; national trends cited
Summary
A resident told the board that New Kent faces rising housing costs and broader affordability pressures, citing national shortages, mortgage rates, and local median sales price approaching $460,000.
At the Sept. 8 Board of Supervisors meeting, resident Bill Dismore urged county leaders to consider housing affordability as economic development brings new business to the county. Dismore, who said he attended a Keys to Housing Affordability summit hosted by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner that day, cited national and local figures he said were presented at the conference: a national shortfall of about 6 million housing units, a rising average age of first‑time buyers to roughly 38, and sustained higher mortgage rates.
Dismore said inflation, tariffs and supply chain pressures have raised construction costs and that the average home sales price in New Kent County is approaching $460,000. He said rental growth has outpaced homeownership, with average annual rent around $1,500, and that rising property values increased real estate taxes and insurance costs that strain fixed‑income residents, including seniors. He urged local, state and federal coordination to address the problem.
Board members acknowledged the concerns during the meeting; no board action was taken on the public comment. Ending: Dismore asked the board to pursue multi‑level solutions to expand affordable housing supply and support residents under financial strain.
