The Virginia Housing Study Commission was created during the 1970 Session of the General Assembly as a result of findings by the Rural Affairs Study Commission and the Metropolitan Areas Study Commission. Findings of these study groups indicated that substandard housing was a problem and that there was a critical need for better housing for low and moderate income people. The General Assembly, upon determining that there was a vital need for intensive examination to determine the exact causes of inadequate housing and to outline action, created the Housing Study Commission.

Since its inception, the Commission has introduced legislation aimed at meeting the charge it was given. Virginia Housing Study Commission proposals that have been enacted include: the formation of an Office of Housing which has been extremely successful in addressing housing needs; the Uniform Statewide Building Code which has substantially contributed to safe housing at a reduced cost; the Virginia Residential. Landlord and Tenant Act which provides landlords and tenants with codified rights and responsibilities; the Virginia Housing Development Authority Act and amendments to the Redevelopment and Housing Authorities Act, which have provided citizens, developers and builders with loans for low and moderate income housing as well as incentives for rehabilitation and revitalization of deteriorating housing stock.

Work programs for the Housing Study Commission centered around the selection of temporary housing sites for disaster victims in Southwest Virginia. The Housing Study Commission, through a contract with the Department of Housing and Community Development, conducted an extensive study in these disaster prone areas that will assure site availability should a disaster occur.

In addition, this year the Housing Study Commission continued its tradition of holding public hearings across the Commonwealth to comment regarding housing needs and problems. The findings of these hearings are discussed in this report. Thus, the Commission continues its role as an essential and responsive legislative study group contributing to the production and maintenance of affordable housing within the Commonwealth.