Governor Spanberger signed the “Lowering the Cost of Housing by Increasing Supply” order on her first day in office, January 17, enacting provisions aimed at eliminating barriers to new residential construction. The order establishes the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production, which will include representatives from state and local governments and the private sector who will recommend changes to state laws, regulations, and practices that hinder housing growth. The order also requires state agencies with oversight of housing and land use to review their regulations and policies that might affect housing development and produce a report that:
- Identifies duplicative, obsolete, or outdated rules, regulations, and other administrative requirements that should be amended or repealed.
- Identifies outdated or conflicting agency guidance documents and implementation memoranda.
- Identifies rules, regulations, program activities, or administrative practices that should be amended to streamline permit review and approval processes.
- Provide recommendations to improve coordination and predictability.
