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Alexandria moves to implement Virginia's Faith in Housing Act

Alexandria moves to implement Virginia's Faith in Housing Act

Rule Changes Alexandria, VA local

No Planning Commission recommendation posted after the November 5 hearing; City Council takes up the Faith in Housing amendment November 14

6 days ago: Planning Commission public hearing on ZTA26-04

Overview

Updated Oct 25

Alexandria's Planning Commission was scheduled to take up the city's Faith in Housing rules at 7 p.m. November 5. No recommendation had been posted as of November 10, and the City Council is set to consider the same items November 14 at 9:30 a.m.

The state law runs from January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2031, and lets religious organizations and tax-exempt nonprofits build affordable housing by right on land they have owned for at least five years. Alexandria's proposal would skip public hearings for qualifying projects and set a 40-, 30- and 14-day staff review schedule. It would also exempt projects of four or fewer units from site plans, and staff are weighing a 25% open space rule still under legal review.

Why it matters

Virginia's Faith in Housing Act overrides local zoning for faith-owned land, and Alexandria's implementing rules will determine how fast affordable housing gets built there.

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Key Indicators

60%
Minimum affordable unit share
At least 60% of units must be committed affordable for 30 years: renters up to 80% of area median income, buyers up to 120%.
20 units/acre
Minimum density
Localities must allow at least 20 units per acre, or the highest existing density within 500 feet.
45 ft
Minimum building height
Buildings of at least 45 feet must be allowed, or the height of the tallest building within 500 feet.
30 years
Affordability period
Units counted toward the 60% requirement must stay affordable for 30 years.

Voices

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People Involved

Abigail Spanberger
Abigail Spanberger
Governor of Virginia
Signed the Faith in Housing Act on April 22, 2026
 Jeremy McPike
Jeremy McPike
Virginia State Senator (D-Prince William)
Introduced Senate Bill 388, the Senate version of the Faith in Housing Act
 Joshua Cole
Joshua Cole
Virginia Delegate (D-Fredericksburg)
Introduced House Bill 1279, the House version of the Faith in Housing Act
 Alyia Gaskins
Alyia Gaskins
Mayor of Alexandria
Said in August 2026 that the city sees the Faith in Housing Act as a partnership with the state, not an unfunded mandate

Organizations Involved

Alexandria Planning Commission
Alexandria Planning Commission
City advisory body
Was scheduled to hold its public hearing on ZTA26-04 at 7 p.m. November 5; no recommendation had been posted as of November 10

The Planning Commission reviews zoning and development proposals and makes recommendations to the Alexandria City Council.
Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
State legislature
Passed the Faith in Housing Act in 2026

The state legislature passed Senate Bill 388 and House Bill 1279 during the 2026 session, creating the Faith in Housing Act.
Alexandria City Council
Alexandria City Council
Municipal legislative body
Scheduled to consider the Planning Commission's November 5 items on November 14, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

The City Council has final authority over zoning text amendments in Alexandria.

Timeline

April 2026 January 2027

5 events Latest: 6 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Faith in Housing Act takes effect

    Upcoming Legislation

    The state law goes into effect, preempting local zoning for qualifying faith-based housing projects.

  2. Planning Commission public hearing on ZTA26-04

    Latest Public Hearing

    The 7 p.m. hearing was scheduled to cover the Faith in Housing Act implementing amendment plus administrative site plans and the minimum threshold for site plan review. No recommendation had been posted as of November 10.

  3. Final docket posted for November 5 hearing

    Procedural

    The city posted the final docket for the November 5 Planning Commission hearing and scheduled the City Council hearing on the same items for November 14 at 9:30 a.m. The docket also carries other items, including a request to convert Carlyle Block P offices into senior housing.

  4. Alexandria publishes Planning Commission docket

    Procedural

    The preliminary docket lists ZTA26-04, covering Articles II and VII and Sections 11-400 and 11-1700 of the zoning ordinance, for the November 5 hearing.

  5. Governor signs Faith in Housing Act

    Legislation

    Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 388, the Faith in Housing Act, into law.

Scenarios

1

Alexandria adopts Faith in Housing Act zoning changes before January 1

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: City planning staff and the Williams Mullen legal analysis

The Planning Commission recommends approval at its November 5 hearing, and the City Council adopts Zoning Text Amendment #2026-00004 before the January 1, 2027 effective date of the state law. This gives the city a clear local framework for reviewing faith-based housing projects.

2

Alexandria misses January 1 deadline for Faith in Housing Act zoning

Possible Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: The Williams Mullen analysis notes localities face uncertainty in implementing the law

The Planning Commission or City Council defers the amendment, and the city does not adopt an implementing ordinance by the January 1, 2027 effective date. The state law still applies, but the lack of a local ordinance creates uncertainty for developers and congregations.

3

Faith in Housing Act faces court challenge

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: The Williams Mullen analysis flags unresolved questions about local implementation

A locality or homeowners group challenges the law's constitutionality, arguing it improperly preempts local zoning authority. The case could delay implementation and create uncertainty for projects in the pipeline.

4

Alexandria adopts an open space requirement the state law does not mandate

Possible Resolves by Jan 1, 2027

Discussed by: Alexandria planning staff, in the September and October 2026 housing committee packets

Staff have floated a 25% open space requirement for Faith in Housing projects and said it is pending legal review, since the state law sets no such standard. If the Council adopts it, developers would have to design around a local rule layered on top of the state minimums.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2021-present

Yes in God's Backyard movement (2021-present)

The Yes in God's Backyard (YIGBY) movement encourages religious congregations to develop affordable housing on surplus land. It has spread across the country, with churches converting parking lots and underused buildings into housing.

Then

Several states have considered or passed faith-based housing legislation.

Now

The movement has reframed faith-owned land as a resource for addressing housing shortages.

Why this matters now

The Faith in Housing Act is Virginia's legislative expression of the YIGBY movement, which originated the idea of unlocking faith-owned land for affordable housing.

November 2023

Alexandria's Zoning for Housing reforms (2023)

In November 2023, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a series of zoning reforms to expand housing production, improve affordability, and address barriers to equitable housing access. The reforms updated zoning rules across multiple articles of the city's zoning ordinance.

Then

The reforms established a framework for ongoing housing policy work in Alexandria.

Now

They positioned the city to respond to state housing mandates like the Faith in Housing Act.

Why this matters now

The current zoning text amendment builds on Alexandria's 2023 Zoning for Housing reforms, continuing the city's effort to expand housing production.

Sources

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City of Alexandria Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development Alexandria Brief Williams Mullen ALXnow WVTF Docket City City of Alexandria City of Alexandria City of Alexandria City of Alexandria Alexandria Brief