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Richmond council hears housing survey, adopts resolution seeking greater local input on state housing laws
Summary
A town survey of more than 300 respondents showed strong concern about housing affordability and a desire for more housing choices; the council approved a municipal resolution requesting more local involvement in state housing decisions and removed language joining a larger joint municipal statement.
More than 300 residents responded to a town housing survey showing widespread concern about housing affordability, and the Richmond Town Council on Wednesday approved a municipal resolution asking for greater municipal involvement in recent state housing legislation.
Bryce Kelly, chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, presented the survey results and said respondents skewed older, were mostly homeowners and that 80% of respondents said an affordable housing payment is $1,900 or less. Kelly told the council the town's 2025 median single-family home price was $545,000, up from $446,000 the prior year — a jump he said was the largest in Washington County.
The survey also showed residents identify several causes of local housing pressure, including rising development costs, limited housing supply and a lack of housing variety. Kelly said respondents expressed interest in more housing types for seniors and young adults and noted that many local residents are long-tenured homeowners, which can mask affordability concerns for people on fixed incomes.
Council members debated how Richmond should respond to a series of recent state bills that change local land-use and permitting rules. Councilor Matnick introduced a resolution modeled on other municipalities' statements but said Richmond would modify language so the town's statement would stand on its own rather than be a "joint" municipal statement. He also said Richmond would not join litigation or commit town funds to lawsuits.
Opponents and supporters in public comment urged different approaches: some residents called for signing in solidarity with other towns to push back at the state level, while others urged Richmond to focus on targeted zoning reforms and proactive local action—such as revising dimensional standards and allowing more small-scale housing types in appropriate growth areas.
The council adopted the resolution, with the approved language removing the joint municipal statement section and directing the town administrator and solicitor to finalize the modified text. The resolution, as discussed, calls for greater town participation in state-level housing conversations and signals the council's interest in pursuing local zoning changes and collaboration with boards and commissions.
What happens next: the council directed staff to modify the resolution and transmit Richmond's statement to state representatives and relevant parties; councilors and residents emphasized that follow-up testimony at the State House and direct advocacy to legislators will be needed to influence specific bills.
