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MA-40 Barriers to Affordable Housing – 91.210(e)
Negative Effects of Public Policies on Affordable Housing and Residential Investment
There are many elements that create barriers to affordable housing including negative effects of public policy and
local housing market conditions. The City of Newport News continues to re-evaluate policies to ensure they minimize
the impacts of creating affordable housing. The City’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing also includes a
complete evaluation of administrative and zoning policies that may hinder the furtherance of affordable housing.
Some of the more prevailing factors contributing to affordable housing are identified below:
Cost - Increased land, development and construction costs drive up the cost of homes creating a barrier of affordable
housing.
Public Opinion – Citizens perceive it is not desirable. Builders feel it is not profitable and/or worth the trouble (i.e.
regulations, lengthy review process, ordinance changes, fees etc.)
New Housing Supply – There is limited land availability due to Level-of-Services (LOS) criteria and zoning limitations
such as minimum lot sizes and parking requirements.
Funding – The lack of a dedicated source of local funding for the development of affordable housing.
Poor Quality of Older Housing – Many older houses on the market are not acceptable to those who could afford
them due to small size and the condition of the unit.
The current Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing for the City of Newport News identified additional local
barriers that may impact housing. They are:
Lack of an over-arching fair housing policy that establishes the foundation for a comprehensive integration policy;
b) Lack of housing units available to accommodate larger families; c) Low homeownership rate among minorities; d)
Inadequate supply of housing accessible to persons with disabilities; e) Persons with limited English proficiency may
not be able to fully access federally funded services; and f) City’s Zoning Ordinance definition of family limits the
number of unrelated persons who can live together as a cohesive household.
The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan goals and projects will attempt to address some of these barriers.
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