Home McAuliffe signs executive order strengthening Virginia housing policy
Local

McAuliffe signs executive order strengthening Virginia housing policy

AFP

Governor-McAuliffeWhile speaking today at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference, Governor Terry McAuliffe issued Executive Order 32 to advance critical components of Virginia’s housing policy agenda. The Executive Order will build upon the Commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness, implement Virginia’s Olmstead Community Integration Plan and ensure that housing is a key contributor to Virginia’s ongoing economic recovery.

“Expanding access to quality affordable housing is at the very foundation of my administration’s efforts to build a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Strengthening our Commonwealth’s housing policy will create jobs, grow our economy and help improve the quality of life of Virginians all over our state.”

Executive Order 32 emphasizes community development investments that will further revitalize urban and rural communities throughout Virginia. The Executive Order also seeks to better address homelessness throughout Virginia and achieve the goal of ending veterans’ homelessness by the end of 2015. In addition, through the implementation of Virginia’s Olmstead Community Integration Plan, the Executive Order seeks to meet the terms of Virginia’s Settlement Agreement and expand community living opportunities for people with disabilities.

“Affordable and sound housing is a critical component of growing our economy and making life better for Virginia families,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Smart housing policy creates jobs and encourages locally-based businesses and industries, which creates healthy and successful communities.”

Following the Governor’s announcement, the 2014 Virginia Housing Awards were given to several organizations and government entities throughout the state. The awards recognize outstanding and innovative efforts in crafting effective solutions for the Commonwealth’s complex array of housing needs. The following were the winners of the 2014 awards:

 

Best Housing Development

Arlington County and the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

Project: Arlington Mill Residences

 

Best Housing Program or Service

Pulaski County and the Town of Pulaski
Project: Pulaski Tornado Recovery Project

 

Best Housing Preservation/Revitalization Effort

James City County

Project: Forest Heights Neighborhood Improvement Project

 

Best Affordable Housing Energy Conservation Effort

Better Housing Coalition, Richmond
Project: Somanath Senior Apartments at Beckstoffer’s

Best In My Backyard “IMBY”
Arlington County and the Pike Planning Plenary Group
Project: Columbia Pike Planning Initiative

The Governor’s Housing Conference is Virginia’s largest and most comprehensive affordable housing event. The three-day event features workshops and sessions designed to help public and private sector representatives develop effective housing solutions in Virginia. Nearly 800 affordable housing advocates, providers and policy makers gather each year at the conference.

AFP

AFP

Have a story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

isaac mckneely
Basketball, Sports

Analysis: Tony Bennett is letting his Virginia team try to do more in transition

elijah gertrude
Basketball, Sports

Virginia Basketball Notebook: Tony Bennett on Elijah Gertrude, Jordan Minor

Virginia coach Tony Bennett and freshman combo guard Elijah Gertrude had agreed before the start of the season that Gertrude should redshirt this year so that he could focus on rehabbing his knee.

chesapeake bay
Climate, U.S. & World

Maryland moves to curb striped bass fishing in spring spawning season

Spurred by slumping striped bass reproduction in Maryland waters, the state Department of Natural Resources is moving to curtail fishing for the popular migratory species during its spawning run next spring.

earth globe
Climate

Roddy Scheer: How do enhanced geothermal power plants differ from regular geothermal?

climate change
Climate

Roddy Scheer: War is horrible, and it is no less so for the environment

earth
Politics

Tom H. Hastings: Guerrilla war in cities and other evolutionary missteps

veteran uniform
Politics

Robert C. Koehler: War does nothing but create the certainty of more war