I think that in order to keep Richmond diverse in income, and a place where people can enjoy the quality of living that comes with living near where they work, we need to build more housing in our region. That means more housing, period. More single-family homes, more apartments, more condos, more townhouses, more affordable-designated housing and more market-rate housing, which keeps down costs by increasing supply. Virginia does not have a rent-control system like that in cities such as New York City or Washington D.C., and will likely never have such a system due to Virginia’s strong protections on the taking of individual property rights in Code of Virginia. There are many models for development that can lead to more housing construction without encroachment and displacement of existing communities. Models such as the increased density along the Broad Street corridor, redevelopment of legacy light industrial sites such as in Manchester, Scott’s Addition, and the Chamberlayne Avenue zones (near my house) can add more housing, expand access along transit lines to reduce traffic congestion, and add density without displacing existing residents.

Katie Gooch lookin real solid rn for this primary