The Office of Housing’s mission is to help people attain and sustain housing equitably and affordably. The Office of Housing provides a range of services and programs to support housing opportunity and stability, including training and education, technical and financial assistance for affordable housing development and preservation, asset and construction management,  and landlord tenant mediation services. You can learn more about many of the City's housing services and programs by downloading our 2024 Housing Resource Guide (also available in Spanish , Amharic , Arabic , Dari , and Pashto), visiting our website, and following us through Education month. 

Which City agencies and groups are involved in housing in Alexandria in partnership with the Office of Housing? Lean about the collaborative and inclusive approach adopted by a range of City departments and agencies, Council-appointed Boards and Commissions, and numerous task forces and groups dedicated to supporting the housing and service needs of Alexandria residents and workers. 

City Agencies & Departments

• The Department of Community and Human Services Office of Community Services (OCS) is dedicated to stabilizing households and preventing homelessness by providing services including homeless services, eviction prevention resources, and foreclosure prevention resources. To request OCS services, please call 703.746.5700 or text 703.346.5599. 
• The Office of Human Rights was established to combat discrimination, increase equal opportunity and protect human rights for persons who live, work, or visit in Alexandria and enforces the Alexandria Human Rights Code (the Code). The Code passed in 1975 as one of the first local human rights laws in Virginia. 
• The Department of Planning and Zoning works closely with communities to carry out the City Council's priorities, fostering amenity-rich, service-oriented and equity-balanced neighborhoods; protecting historic and cultural resources; and supporting diverse and creative businesses.  
• Code Administration works in concert with other City agencies and stakeholders as part of the safe building team. Their objective is to assist stakeholders with compliance related to Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building and Maintenance Codes (USBC), and the City Code nuisance and development provisions. The Maintenance Code Division assist in maintaining a safe, healthy and livable quality of life by maintaining the City's housing stock through proactive inspections and other means.  
• The Alexandria Health Department (AHD), one of 35 districts of the Virginia Department of Health, responds to a variety of health-related issues facing Alexandrians, including providing assistance to improve indoor air quality and other environmental factors. AHD also lead the Healthy Homes Initiative, which works to ensure all Alexandrians have healthy and safe, hazard-free housing.  
• The City Attorney’s Office provides legal advice to City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City Manager and City Departments. The City Attorneys are responsible for drafting ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal papers. The office represents the City in civil court to defend the City in actions taken against it and to initiate cases to enforce the City’s laws and actions. 
• The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) is a public-private partnership that promotes the City of Alexandria as a premier location for businesses of all sizes, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and cutting-edge institutions of science and learning. AEDP is led by an independent board of directors and works closely with city management and city elected officials to achieve the shared mission of promoting Alexandria as a business destination.
• Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority is a state-chartered public housing authority established in 1939 to operate public housing for income-qualified households, administer certain federal housing programs (including the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and to maintain, operate, modernize, and/or redevelop its housing stock. While ARHA is not a formal entity of the City government, the City Council appoints ARHA's nine-member board of commissioners and provides some funding to ARHA in support of its efforts to modernize its housing stock. To learn more about ARHA's redevelopment activities, please visit the ARHA Projects page. 

Boards & Commissions 

• The Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee (AHAAC) advises City Council on issues regarding the preservation and creation of affordable housing, makes recommendations on policies governing the City's Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and Housing Opportunities Fund, works with staff to monitor the implementation of the Housing Master Plan, and oversees the administration of the HTF. 
• The Landlord-Tenant Relations Board (LTRB) conciliates landlord-tenant complaints, and recommends and reports to City Council on legislation and policy in landlord-tenant relations.  
• The purpose of the ARHA Redevelopment Work Group is to facilitate coordination and communication among the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the ARHA Board of Commissioners with the goal of developing a coordinated affordable housing strategy to sustain and improve public and publicly assisted housing within Alexandria.

Task Forces & Work Groups

• The Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is a broad and diverse group of homeless service providers, local government agencies, and community stakeholders working together to make homelessness rare and brief in the City.
• Eviction Prevention Task Force (EPTF) is a multi-agency partnership that works to reduce evictions, lessen their impact on residents, and develop long-term strategies. The Task Force includes representatives from several departments and organizations, including DCHS, the Office of Housing, the Sheriff’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, property managers, and Christ Church and other emergency financial providers. 
• The Hoarding Task Force is an interagency team whose mission is to coordinate all City actions related to severe hoarding cases in the City of Alexandria. The Task Force must balance the rights of the individuals against the safety of the community in developing strategies to deal with hoarding cases and ensure consistency in approaches among all entities involved in each individual case.   

Our community thrives through the collaboration of dedicated partners. Alexandria’s affordable housing development partners, including The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), Affordable Homes and Communities (AHC Inc.), Housing Alexandria (former AHDC), and Wesley Housing (formerly Wesley Housing Development Corporation), as well as newcomer Community Housing Partners (CHP), work to produce and preserve affordable homes that are both accessible and sustainable.  

Providers of supportive services and transitional housing, such as Carpenter's Shelter, Community Lodgings, Inc. (CLI), Friends of Guest House, Sheltered Homes of Alexandria, ALIVE!, Men’s Home, and others, offer a bridge to stability for those in need. 

Organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, Rebuilding Together DC-Alexandria, and Energy Masters contribute by mobilizing volunteers to build homes and hope. 

Discover ways that you can support these organizations or get involved by visiting our partners' pages. 

State and federal housing partners fund a diverse array of projects and programs to support localities in their community development goals. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides grants for community planning and development, affordable housing, and homeless assistance. The City also works closely on programs funded and/or administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and Virginia Housing. Together, these entities work to ensure that communities and housing partners have access to resources to foster safe, affordable, and sustainable living environments. Learn more!

FINANCING AND DEVELOPING Affordable Housing

Financing and building (and preserving) affordable housing relies on a complex layering of funding, public-private partnerships, and regulatory and other tools. The resources below help to untangle some of the complexities associated with developing and funding such projects. Also, please join us for our October 8 Panel Discussion on Affordable Housing Development and check back later this week to learn about the City's regulatory incentives for affordable housing!

1. This three-part series created by Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA) walks through the basics of affordable housing finance and development from funding to construction. NVAHA has also hosted numerous lunch and learn sessions on affordable housing-related topics such as an affordable housing finance Q&A Panel, what affordability looks like in Northern Virginia, and an affordable housing case study. You can view other lunch and learn presentations here.   
2. Local Housing Solutions provides an easy-to-understand yet comprehensive overview of what affordable housing is, its creation, and strategies for addressing funding gaps and affordability challenges. 

Affordable Housing Terminology

The world of affordable housing can involve a unique (and sometimes confusing) set of terms. Terms used frequently in the Housing 2040 process are defined here. 

A virtual lunch and learn session, "Affordable Housing Development: Past, Present, and Future," featuring pioneering developers Kamilah McAfee President and CEO of Wesley Housing, Jonathan Frederick, President of Housing Alexandria, and the Office of Housing Director, Helen McIlvaine, was held on October 8. The panelists discussed innovative and collaborative efforts, including preservation projects and faith-based partnerships, to enhance housing affordability in Alexandria. 

NEW! A recording of the discussion is now available.  

NEW! Learn more about Kamilah McAfee's path to becoming President and CEO of Wesley Housing through her interview with the Women's Affordable Housing Network. 

Curious about how affordable housing affects your neighborhood? The Urban Institute's study – “The Impact of Affordable Housing on Property Values: New Insights from Alexandria” – sheds light on this important topic. Analyzing City data between 2000 and 2020, the research finds that affordable housing developments are uniformly linked to a modest, but statistically significant increase in nearby property values—about 0.09 percent.  Citing the city’s development review and approval processes, the high quality design and construction standards set for affordable housing by lenders and investors, and the ongoing property maintenance and management processes followed by developers, this study underscores the potential for affordable housing to benefit local real estate markets and the broader community, offering valuable insights for those concerned about the impact of new affordable housing developments. 

The Commonwealth of Virginia is a Dillon Rule state. This mean that local governments, including the City of Alexandria, possess only those powers specifically delegated to them by state law, or fairly implied from expressly granted powers, and those essential to the functions of local government. 

State law has granted the City limited authority to require affordable housing contributions as part of the development process. § 15.2-2304 of the Code of Virginia permits the City to create an “Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit Program” in exchange for optional increases in density. The City does not have the authority to implement inclusionary zoning or rent control at this time. 

Zoning Tools

The City has two optional zoning tools to incentivize the production and preservation of affordable housing through the provision of additional density or height:

1. Section 7-700 of the Zoning Ordinance (commonly referred to as the Bonus Density and Height Program) allows for increases in density and/or height in exchange for a minimum of one third of the increase to be provided as committed affordable housing. Affordable rental housing created through Section 7-700 is priced to be affordable at 60% of the area median income (AMI); committed affordable for-sale housing is priced to be affordable between approximately 70% and 100% AMI. Section 7-700 allows for units to be provided off-site or in the form of a monetary contribution as long as they are of equivalent value to the on-site units. 
2. The Residential Multi-Unit Zone (RMF) allows for increase in density in exchange for one third of the increase to be provided as committed affordable rental housing affordable to households with incomes averaging 40% AMI. Learn more about the RMF Zone through our StoryMap.

Development projects involving Sec. 7-700 and the RMF Zone are required to provide an Affordable Housing Plan which is presented to the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee for consideration and feedback prior to the project's review by Planning Commission and City Council. 

HOUSING CONTRIBUTION POLICIES

Projects that involve new construction that does not involve additional density through optional increases in density and/or height are encouraged to comply with the City’s voluntary monetary affordable housing contribution policies and procedures. The City does not have the authority to require voluntary monetary contributions for affordable housing. Voluntary monetary contributions depend on several factors. These include the nature of the development (i.e. if the project is residential or commercial/industrial); if a project involves a conversion from a commercial to a residential building; and if a project is requesting a rezoning consistent with its underlying small area plan. Monetary contributions are paid when a project has been completed, not at the time a development application is approved by City Council. Please note that the City's existing Affordable Housing Contribution Policies and Procedures will be reviewed and updated as part of the Housing 2040 process.

In December 2020 and January 2021, the City adopted a Housing Contribution Policy Update which introduced new housing policies for:

• Projects seeking density in excess of the density envisioned by the underlying small area plan;
• Projects proposing to convert a commercial building to residential use;
• Projects that involve senior independent living and/or a continuum of care (such as assisted living)

Ever wonder where committed affordable rental housing is located in Alexandria? Use this Interactive Affordable Rental Housing Map to see the location, type and affordability of committed affordable rental housing in the city. While this interactive tool does not show whether units are available for rent, you can find a list of current availability under our the Office of Housing's Renter Resources (view Current Availability). To receive this list monthly, please subscribe to the City’s enews and select the Affordable Housing category. In addition, Virginia Housing hosts a statewide rental housing search engine at virginiahousingsearch.com.

Please note that the Interactive Affordable Rental Housing Map does not show where Alexandrians are using housing choice vouchers. In 2020, Virginia amended its state law to require that all rental properties accept voucher holders who are otherwise qualified for residency broadening opportunities to access housing on the private market. 

For years, the City of Alexandria and Alexandria-based law firm MercerTrigiani have partnered to offer a variety of educational sessions related to condominium and community associations. The goals for these classes include educating community members about contracts and contracting for common interest communities; providing guidance on how to run association membership meetings; explaining the role of the Common Interest Ombudsman in managing community conflicts; and helping communities understand the legal requirements related to disability and accessibility. To view videos of prior trainings and keep up to date on upcoming events, please visit Homeowner Resources.   

City Homeownership Assistance Webinar in Spanish 

• NEW! A recording of the presentation in Spanish is now available. 

City Homeownership Assistance Webinar in English 

• NEW! A recording of the presentation in English is now available. 

Embark on your homebuying journey with confidence. Virginia Housing offers a variety of tools and resources, including a comprehensive course on navigating the homebuying process. The free program – offered both online and in-person – demystifies the homebuying process from start to finish, providing individuals and families with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions.  Potential homebuyers should note that a Certification of completion from the Virginia Housing homebuyer education course is required to participate in any City homebuyer assistance programs. This training can be completed in person at regularly scheduled classes in English and Spanish, or online.  

Starting in mid 2025, Housing Alexandria will be offering 31 new affordable two- and three-bedroom homeownership townhome units as part of their Seminary Road development for eligible households with incomes up to 80% of the area median income. To learn about Housing Alexandria's Shared Equity Housing model, including the home-buying process, the responsibilities of a Housing Alexandria homeowner, and the resale process and to join their interested homebuyers list, attend an upcoming virtual program orientation. Please email homeownership@housingalexandria.org or call 703.739.7775 with any questions.

• NEW! The next orientation will be held October 28 at 7 p.m. Please register at this link. If you have attended a previous orientation, you do not need to attend this session. 

Please note that this Housing Alexandria-sponsored orientation is not a substitute for Virginia Housing first-time homebuyer trainings which remain a prerequisite for participation in all City affordable homebuyer programs. To learn about upcoming Virginia Housing trainings, please visit Homebuyer Training.

The Office of Housing provides a range of services to renters in collaboration with the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), and other local and regional partners including Legal Aid Justice Center and Legal Services of Northern Virginia. There are several local tenant advocacy groups active in the city, including Tenants and Workers United (TWU) and African Communities Together (ACT). There are also many statewide partners who provide information, resources, and support to tenants throughout Virginia, including Virginia Housing and Virginia Poverty Law Center.  We invite you to delve into these resources to learn more about tenants’ rights and services available in Virginia.  

Additionally, our Landlord Tenant Relations Division provides information on the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants under local and state law and helps mediate housing-related disputes between landlords and tenants by mutual agreement. Our Division also provides guidance on issues such as how to report rental property maintenance requests (download our information sheets in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic). For assistance with a landlord tenant or housing conditions matter, please contact the Office of Housing or Code Administration at 703.746.4311 (text 703.405.7100) or submit an Alex311 request.  

The Office of Housing provides services and resources to support landlords and property management companies, including with complaint mediation, conversion and relocation assistance, and mold remediation requirements. The Office of Housing also hosts an annual Apartment Manager’s Seminar to provide educational opportunities for landlords. The next Apartment Manager’s Seminar is scheduled for November 7.  This event is limited to landlords and property managers; visit the Landlord and Property Manager Resources page to learn more and register.

Other agencies throughout Virginia also provide support, guidance, and resources for landlords. Examples of resources include the Landlord Tenant Handbook and sample Pay or Quit Notice from DHCD, and these landlord-tenant related Court forms which have been collected by the Virginia Access to Justice Commission.     

The leasing process for committed affordable rental units can be lengthy and confusing. Many households face challenges in the process, such as having non-traditional income (i.e., nanny care for relatives), complicated rental histories, and language barriers. With support from the Alexandria Fund for Human Services and a Virginia Housing Community Impact Grant, Housing Alexandria has developed a pilot Rent Ready program. The purpose of the program, which was created as a result of community input received as part the Arlandria Chirilagua Small Area Plan, is to empower prospective tenants to apply for future affordable units. 

Housing Alexandria is testing the pilot program in 2023 and 2024 in order for it to be fully operational in advance of the Sansé and Naja leasing process. To learn more, please contact Housing Alexandria at 703.739.7775/rentready@housingalexandria.org or visit their website. 

On April 7, 2018, the New York Times drew public attention to Virginia’s serious eviction crisis with its’ front-page article “In 83 Million Eviction Records, a Sweeping and Intimate New Look at Housing in America.” Alexandria has not been insulated from this crisis, and our eviction rates have steadily returned to pre-pandemic levels after the expiration of various COVID-19 related interventions and protections. In this webinar, we explored the Eviction Landscape in Alexandria from pre-COVID through today. This informative session delved into the eviction process, Alexandria’s eviction data, and eviction prevention strategies taking place in the City with the assistance and coordination of a wide range of partners.  Whether you are a community leader, housing advocate, or simply interested learning more about how evictions impact Alexandria, this webinar promises to enhance your understanding and inspire action. 

New! The webinar presentation and recording are now available. 

Fair housing laws play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to rental housing for all individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Established in 1968, the Federal Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) prohibits discrimination in housing-related activities, ensuring landlords cannot refuse to rent, impose different terms, or otherwise treat applicants unfairly based on protected characteristics. For individuals with disabilities, landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations to policies or modifications to physical spaces to ensure equal access. This can include allowing service animals or making structural changes. 

The City has a variety of resources for residents facing Fair Housing challenges. Since 1989, the Office of Housing has administered a Fair Housing Testing Program through the Landlord Tenant Division, while the Office of Human Rights investigates complaints of discrimination under the City’s Human Rights Code and applicable federal and state laws. To support low- and moderate- income residents with disabilities who may need modifications to their unit, the Office of Housing administers the Rental Accessibility Modification Program (RAMP). The City has also participated in a comprehensive local multi-jurisdictional Fair Housing Report that was completed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) in late 2023. 

For a detailed overview of the FHA, explore HUD’s various resources. Additionally, you can learn more by visiting the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), HOME of Virginia, and the Equal Rights Center.