Housing is one of the biggest issues impacting Alexandria, and a new meeting planned next month will give Alexandrians a chance to weigh in on future plans — and get a light dinner out of it.
The City of Alexandria is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. in the Patrick Henry K-8 School (4643 Taney Avenue). Attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
“Learn about and provide feedback on the draft principles and goals developed to guide the Housing 2040 Master Plan,” the city’s website said. “Input received will inform the development of the final Housing 2040 principles and goals.”
An analysis of housing needs in Alexandria noted that many workers struggle to afford housing in Alexandria.
“Alexandria’s economy is divided between high-wage and low wage industries,” the report said. “The service sector represents the largest part of our local economy, but many of its jobs are low wage.”
Beyond concerns about increasing housing prices in Alexandria, the report also noted that there are around 900 units that are currently under affordability restrictions set to expire by 2040, meaning those units can return to elevated market rates.
The meeting will have a “light dinner” with Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Dari and Pashto interpretation available.
The meeting is part of a Housing 2040 Master Plan update that aims to update the city’s housing policy spelled out back in 2013.
According to the website, the process will:
- Learn from our past, our neighbors and partners, and from best practices
- Review and update the HMP’s principles and goals incorporating our commitments to equity and sustainability
- Establish housing priorities to set affordability targets and guide City investments and policy decisions
- Identify and evaluate housing strategies and tools
- Strengthen existing and explore new partnerships to leverage City resources
- Outline a workplan for City’s housing programs, initiatives and priorities through 2040
Another panel will be held sometime in April.
