FY 24 Budget Q&A #047: Is this a Dillion Rule or city ordinance procedure? Is Alexandria able to incentivize developers/landlords if this were able to occur? How would choice of rent control units be established in rental housing options?
Page updated on October 28, 2024 at 10:22 AM
XWARNING: You have chosen to translate this page using an automated translation system.
This translation has not been reviewed by the City of Alexandria and may contain errors.
Question: Is this a Dillion Rule or city ordinance procedure? Is Alexandria able to incentivize developers/landlords if this were able to occur? How would choice of rent control units be established in rental housing options? Is there a ratio of housing units that this would be beneficial for the city to establish - and where? Why those? What is the overall in 10, 20 years in tax base if rent control were to become established? (Vice Mayor Jackson)
Response:
Rent control is not allowed in Virginia. The General Assembly would either have to pass a law allowing it (a “VA rent stabilization bill” was proposed this session butdid not advance) or authorize a change to the City’s Charter that would allow Council to adopt an ordinance setting rent levels. Achieving better compliance with our voluntary rent guidelines would also ease housing cost burden, as would opportunities to moderate ongoing increases in various fees and utility costs. Since many utility costs are prorated (and don’t reflect actual household usage), there are few opportunities for renter households to achieve efficiencies and save through conservation.
