The city is one of a growing list to eliminate single-family zoning.

Alexandria became the second Virginia jurisdiction to eliminate single-family only zoning as part of a package of zoning reforms, report Morgan Baskin and Margaret Barthel in DCist. “Alexandria will now allow four-unit buildings on lots currently zoned for only single-family dwellings, which represent one third of the city’s land.”
The article points out that the city estimates “only 66 of 9,000 single-family lots will convert into denser dwellings.” “Taken as a whole, city staff estimate the Zoning For Housing changes could result in more than 2,800 new units in the next decade, a modest but significant increase. Of those, the vast majority — roughly 1,800 units — are expected to come from Residential Multi-Family projects.” The change to single-family zoning is expected to produce just 175 new units.
“For now, new multi-unit buildings will be required to sit within the existing footprint for single-family dwellings. In the future, the city might research how changing height and bulk requirements could incentivize more multi-unit buildings in residential areas.” Zoning for Housing also scales back parking requirements, removes rules about site density and unit size, simplifies townhouse design standards, and encourages transit-oriented development.
FULL STORY: Alexandria Lawmakers Unanimously Vote To Eliminate Single-Family-Only Zoning, In Bid To Boost Housing Supply

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Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.

San Antonio Remains Affordable as City Grows
The city’s active efforts to keep housing costs down through housing reforms and coordinated efforts among city agencies and developers have kept it one of the most affordable in the nation despite its rapid population growth.

What Forest Service Cuts Mean for Cities
U.S. Forest Service employees work on projects that have impacts far beyond remote, rural wilderness areas.
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