Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins joined hundreds of people Sunday at a major rally in Herndon launching a statewide push for affordable housing legislation, part of a growing coalition effort that drew nearly 1,000 participants.
Gaskins was among several Alexandria officials at the assembly organized by VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith and Community Engagement) and the Commonwealth Housing Coalition. Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley also attended.
Gaskins joined 20 other elected officials in forming a new Pro-Homes Caucus, committing to support housing legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session. The caucus includes eight state senators and delegates and 13 local officials from across Northern Virginia.
“Every day — through emails, phone calls, and conversations on my neighbors’ doorsteps — I hear about the stress high housing costs are putting on families,” Gaskins told ALXnow on Monday. “Working with the community and our partners in the General Assembly, we can expand the supply of housing options.”
At Sunday’s rally, Gaskins emphasized the moral imperative of housing reform.
“I fight for housing because I know that housing is a human right, not a commodity,” she told the crowd at Floris United Methodist Church. “Together we can and together we will.”
“Today I spoke at VOICE’s Homes for All Assembly about the urgency of our housing shortage,” Gaskins wrote on Bluesky Sunday night. “We must build homes for all incomes, ensure every level of government plays its part, and use our power to unlock housing and protect stability for everyone in Alexandria.”
Bagley also expressed support for the initiative on Bluesky Sunday night.
“Proud to join 22 elected officials and 44 organizations and congregations at the packed house for VOICE’s Housing Forum,” she wrote.
Two state senators announced they will patron the “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill, which would streamline affordable housing development by faith congregations and nonprofits on their properties. State Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy and Jeremy McPike both pledged to champion the legislation.
“When I tell you we can end redlining and segregation in our schools and communities if we address housing, then that’s what I mean,” Carroll Foy told the crowd. “Because bold problems deserve bold solutions. And VOICE, we do have a solution — Yes in God’s Backyard.”
“I’m proud to champion Yes in God’s Backyard,” McPike said. “It is not just about our community, it’s also about our economic vitality, as a community and as a commonwealth.”
The coalition is also pushing for legislation expanding access to accessory dwelling units and a “housing near jobs” bill allowing multifamily housing in commercial zones.
Community members shared personal stories of housing struggles during the event, including a Fairfax County teacher who said wage increases can’t keep pace with housing costs and a domestic worker who described spending 70% of her paycheck on housing.
A statewide housing study found that only about 30,000 homes per year have been built in Virginia recently — half the annual rate during the early 2000s — while the state faces a shortfall of more than 300,000 homes to meet demand.
The rally came after a year of organizing by VOICE leaders, who held 58 meetings with local and state officials to press for statewide housing solutions.
VOICE leaders plan to continue meeting with legislators to advance the housing reform agenda in Richmond.
A replay of the whole assembly is available on VOICE’s Facebook page.
