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Newport News lays out Strategic Housing Initiative to meet long-term housing target of 21,000 units
Summary
City staff presented a Strategic Housing Initiative Plan (SHIP) to guide zoning, permitting, production and affordability efforts to reach a target of 21,000 housing units by 2050; staff proposed four focus areas, stakeholder outreach already completed and a timeline for a final plan this year requiring council approval.
City staff told the Newport News City Council they are developing a Strategic Housing Initiative Plan (SHIP) to translate findings from the city’s comprehensive housing study into an actionable, public-facing road map for increasing housing supply and affordability.
Terry Francis, Neighborhood Services office manager, told the council the SHIP was recommended in the comprehensive housing study that launched in December 2024 and that the study found the city needs 21,000 housing units by 2050. “The overall goal of our comprehensive housing study was to provide us with a housing inventory. It was actually the first housing study that the city ever did,” Francis said.
Francis said staff formed a steering committee of more than 14 members, conducted more than 30 stakeholder interviews, and stood up an internal housing committee composed of multiple city departments to develop strategies. The SHIP’s four primary focus areas are: housing policy, regulatory reform; housing production and redevelopment; preservation, maintenance and neighborhood stability; and housing affordability and access.
City staff told council the SHIP will identify measurable goals, short- and long-term tactics, and internal and external partners. Tactics under consideration include zoning and land-use changes, permitting improvements, adaptive reuse (including potential evaluation of underutilized faith-based properties), financial incentives and neighborhood rehabilitation programs such as residential façade improvements. Staff said some tactics are already in progress while others will require additional research, interdepartmental work and council direction.
Council members suggested specific levers to explore at an upcoming July retreat. Councilman Long and others flagged a land-value tax and streamlining permit processes as high-impact tools. Francis and other staff noted the housing trust fund and allocation of resources will likely be part of future budget discussions.
Francis said the final SHIP will be completed later this year and will require council approval and additional vetting, including community engagement and periodic updates as housing production needs and market conditions evolve. “When complete, it will require approval by council,” Francis said.
Staff also committed to prepare additional data requested by council for the retreat, including mapping of vacant or underused parcels and an initial review of faith-based properties for potential adaptive reuse, while noting limitations under state law that affect some conversions.
The SHIP presentation is part of the city’s broader strategic-plan update; staff and the Virginia Institute of Government will use the survey findings and other outreach to inform the July retreat and the final strategic plan update later this year.
