Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read has endorsed state legislation aimed at removing significant barriers to affordable housing on church-owned properties. This support comes in light of the lengthy approval processes that have hindered developments, including the Glebe View project, which is currently underway through Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia on the property of Fairfax Presbyterian Church.
Senate Bill 388, introduced by State Sen. Jeremy McPike, seeks to streamline housing developments on religious land by allowing these organizations to operate by right, thus bypassing the often protracted special use, zoning, and public hearing processes. The bill mandates that at least 60% of the homes in any development be designated as committed affordable units for a minimum of 30 years.
After advancing with a 9-4 vote from the Senate Committee on Local Government, the bill is set for full Senate consideration, although its counterpart in the House, HB 1279, must undergo further approval during the 2027 General Assembly session for it to take effect on its proposed target date of September 1, 2026.
Read, testifying as an advocate for affordable housing—not in her official capacity—highlighted the challenges faced during the Glebe View project. She shared how nearly ten years elapsed from the church’s initial discussions about housing until construction began in 2024. Significantly, the time-consuming rezoning process affected the project’s financial viability, altering the income thresholds for qualifying households from 40-60% of the area median income (AMI) to 80% AMI due to rising costs.
“This continuous delay only serves to exacerbate the issues we face as a city,” Read stated. “Every delay increases market costs, making affordable housing more challenging to realize.”
While the legislation eases rezoning requirements, it does not eliminate other necessary administrative approvals that still enforce site plans, design review, and compliance with local regulations regarding height and density. Read emphasized that the bill does not equate to unrestricted building, maintaining that developments would need to adhere to the same criteria as other housing projects in the city.
Support for the legislation reflects a growing recognition of the urgency surrounding housing affordability in the community. Leaders from various jurisdictions, including Arlington County and Manassas, have expressed their backing, indicating a collective commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
In addition to McPike’s bill, other housing-related measures were discussed in the Senate Committee on Local Government, although some, like the proposal to eliminate parking minimums and anti-rent gouging ordinances, faced delays or did not advance.
Building affordable housing remains a complex challenge, but as Mayor Read noted, legislation like SB 388 represents critical progress in the right direction by providing localities with the necessary tools to alleviate housing shortages.