Back in 2013, the City of Alexandria developed a Housing Master Plan to guide development in the city through 2025. With 2025 around the corner, it's time for a new plan — one that will guide the city through 2040.
Data analysis earlier this year has shown that "Alexandria residents are becoming more affluent as households with incomes at 120%+ of the area median income increased by almost 50%." The population is growing across all types of people (except people ages 20 to 34), and housing is getting more expensive. At the same time, "Differences in median household income highlight the legacy of historical racial inequities in Alexandria."
City officials are now asking residents to weigh in on through a survey designed to help identify housing needs and issues in the city. The survey is available here and it asks about resident's main concerns about housing in Alexandria, including cost of living, the needs of various groups such as seniors and students, housing conditions and more.
In addition, city officials will host a variety of meetings designed to provide information on tenant and landlord relations, resources and programs.
The city has promised that "As part of the Housing 2040 process, we will:
- Learn from our past, our neighbors and partners, and from best practices
- Review and update the HMP’s principles and goals incorporating our commitments to equity and sustainability
- Establish housing priorities to set affordability targets and guide City investments and policy decisions
- Identify and evaluate housing strategies and tools
- Strengthen existing and explore new partnerships to leverage City resources
- Outline a workplan for City’s housing programs, initiatives and priorities through 2040"
