RD1 - Report of the Special Subcommittee Studying Housing in Urbanized Areas (Draft)

  • Published: 1987
  • Author: Special General Laws Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Request of House of Delegates Rules Committee

Executive Summary:
During the 1986 Session of the General Assembly, Delegate Alan Diamonstein introduced House Joint Resolution No.4 which requested that a subcommittee of the House Committee on General Laws be established to study adequate and affordable housing in urbanized areas of the Commonwealth. The resolution also specifically requested the subcommittee study ways by which revenue could be generated to fund the housing needs in urban areas. Because this study could be performed as a committee study, the resolution was passed by indefinitely. The Committee on Rules in the House of Delegates requested Delegate Diamonstein, as Chairman of the Committee on General Laws in the House, to appoint a subcommittee to study urban housing problems in the Commonwealth. The study was conducted pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of the House of Delegates.

Delegate Diamonstein appointed Delegate James F. Almand to serve as Chairman of the Special Subcommittee Studying Urbanized Housing. Other members appointed .to serve with Delegate Almand were: Delegates Joseph Benedetti, Robert K. Cunningham, Sr., Jay W. DeBoer, William S. Moore, William P. Robinson, Jr., and Clifton A. Woodrum. During the late summer of 1986, Delegate Benedetti was elected to serve in the Senate of Virginia and resigned from the House of Delegates.

The subcommittee held seven meetings, including four public hear hearings. Public hearings were held in Norfolk on June 25, 1986; in Richmond on September 15, 1986; in Roanoke on October 21, 1986; and in Fairfax on October 30, 1986. Approximately ninety-six persons appeared before the subcommittee during its public hearings. Numerous private citizens and representatives from civic and community organizations, private organizations, nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies and city and state officials participated in the subcommittee's proceedings. Many persons who were unable to appear before the subcommittee submitted written comments.

Participants at the public hearings commented on the housing problems of the urbanized areas of the Commonwealth and proposed ways in which the problems could be alleviated. Many speakers also discussed housing problems which were of particular concern to the rural areas of Virginia, such as the need for indoor plumbing, and the special housing needs of the mentally and physically handicapped.

During its deliberations, the subcommittee was fortunate to have the support and assistance of Mr. Neal Barber, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Mr. John Ritchie, Jr., Director of the Virginia Housing Development Authority, and their staffs.