Prince William supervisors adopt affordable-dwelling-unit ordinance after hours of debate

Prince William County supervisors adopted a new Affordable Dwelling Unit ordinance on June 3 after extensive public comment and several hours of debate.

The 5-3 vote followed testimony from faith and tenant-organizing groups, housing advocates and opponents from neighborhoods that expressed both urgency over housing costs and concern about how the ordinance is written and enforced. The final ordinance uses the voluntary, state-enabled ADU framework to require proffered negotiations and creates a path for developers to provide affordable units, pay into the county housing trust fund, or use other incentives the county offers.

The ordinance is intended to increase the supply of mixed-income housing near transit and major commercial centers and to allow the county's housing trust fund to be used for projects that produce or preserve affordable units. Supporters said the ordinance unlocks the county's $15 million housing trust fund and is a necessary first tool to expand housing options; opponents said the ordinance places too much implementation discretion with staff and the zoning administrator and could strip the elected board of critical land-use authority.

Why it mattered

Prince William has a documented shortage of rental and for-sale housing at a wide range of price points. Advocates — including faith-based VOICE representatives and tenants'rights groups — told supervisors that families are being…