The City of Virginia Beach held a Community Conversations forum on March 12, 2026, focused on affordable housing challenges and solutions. Panelists from local nonprofits, legal aid organizations, housing providers, and transit authorities discussed the multifaceted barriers to affordable housing, including land scarcity, rising construction costs, zoning restrictions, and financing difficulties. They highlighted the need for public-private partnerships, zoning reforms, and incentives to attract developers to build affordable units. The forum also addressed the importance of transportation access to affordable housing and the role of legal aid in preventing evictions and advocating for tenant rights. While no specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made, the discussion emphasized policy and community engagement strategies to support affordable housing development and preservation in the region.

Community Conversations: Affordable Housing Forum