Delegate Anthony outlines equity-focused bill to flag overconcentration of affordable housing, members raise concerns about unintended effects

Delegate Lashrecse Aird Anthony presented House Bill 2,048 to the Virginia Housing Commission—s work group on Aug. 19, saying the measure is intended to add a geographic-equity lens to housing policy and to make placement decisions more transparent.

"We wanted to throw in a geographic equity lens, into the housing policy," Delegate Anthony said, citing redlining, urban renewal and decades of concentrated affordable housing in parts of Norfolk as the impetus for the bill. She said the bill was not designed "to prevent affordable housing development" but to measure cumulative impact and "restore dignity and…