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Affordable housing work group reports eviction tools, ancillary-fee review and housing trust fund discussion
Summary
The Affordable Housing Solutions — Landlord, Tenant and Real Estate Law work group discussed eviction-response tools, ancillary rental fees, a proposed equity assessment for Housing Trust Fund grants and other bills; no commission endorsement was taken.
Delegate Douglas Sewell (work group presenter) told the full Virginia Housing Commission the affordable housing solutions work group has heard multiple presentations from impacted communities and stakeholders on eviction-response tools, ancillary fees in rental housing, and possible state and local interventions to prevent homelessness. The group did not take formal actions but signaled areas where legislative proposals could be developed for the 2026 session.
Sewell said the group discussed House Bill 2602, which would restrict localities from adopting or enforcing ordinances that penalize people seeking temporary shelter or sleeping in vehicles; while members did not endorse a specific text, the measure drew support from several work group participants and may be introduced in 2026 independent of the commission. The group also reviewed House Bill 2848, proposed by Delegate Benita Anthony, which would require an equity assessment for distribution of Housing Trust Fund grants; members agreed the draft needed more work and planned further meetings to refine the proposal.
The work group examined a proposal from Sen. Sturtevant addressing large-corporation acquisition of residential land by comparing model laws in other states and leaving further study to interested members. Members also discussed Senate Bill 1344 concerning distribution rules for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund; Sen. Emily Jordan presented concerns about how the fund priorities balance housing stability versus shelter or transitional assistance, but the group concluded not to alter existing distribution rules at this time and encouraged the senator to refine the proposal for 2026.
Sewell told commissioners the group remains active on ancillary-fee issues and home inspector liability language and will return recommendations if consensus emerges. “While there were no actions taken, it was a very informative discussion,” Sewell said.
The work group will continue to meet and may present drafts or endorsements to the full commission in December if text and consensus are ready.
