House Approves Housing Bills Including Statewide Targets and By‑Right Multifamily Measures
January 30, 2026 | 2026 Legislature VA, Virginia
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The House considered several housing-related bills Jan. 29, 2026, addressing statewide targets, local housing incentives and by‑right multifamily zoning, and approved measures including HB 804 and HB 816.
Delegate Tim Griffin (Bedford) criticized HB 804 as a mandate that would require localities to accommodate increased apartment construction, framing the measure as a top-down zoning imposition that would favor multifamily development over single-family homeownership. "This is a mandatory bill on localities to increase apartment complexes," Griffin said, arguing the policy "requires... build these apartments at 1.5% growth per year every 5 years until you get to 7.5." He urged colleagues to oppose what he described as undermining the American dream of homeownership.
Delegate Hillman (Fairfax) countered that the bill reduces regulatory burdens and supports building single-family homes and other housing types that make homeownership easier. "This is a bill we should get along as Americans on either side of the aisle because it reduces regulatory burdens, increases the number of single family homes that are built," Hillman said, urging support.
The House passed HB 804 by recorded vote, Ayes 63, Noes 35. The House also passed HB 816, relating to by‑right multifamily development, by recorded vote (Ayes 64, Noes 35). Other housing bills recorded on the calendar that passed earlier in the session include measures on affordable‑housing performance grants (HB 352), expedited approvals for certain affordable developments (HB 594) and grants for housing local employees (HB 164), each reported with their recorded tallies during the session.
What happens next: The enrolled bills will proceed toward the Senate or, if already passed both chambers in future action, toward enrollment for the Governor’s consideration. The transcript contains the floor arguments and recorded votes; bill texts contain implementation specifics and any exceptions referenced during debate.
Delegate Tim Griffin (Bedford) criticized HB 804 as a mandate that would require localities to accommodate increased apartment construction, framing the measure as a top-down zoning imposition that would favor multifamily development over single-family homeownership. "This is a mandatory bill on localities to increase apartment complexes," Griffin said, arguing the policy "requires... build these apartments at 1.5% growth per year every 5 years until you get to 7.5." He urged colleagues to oppose what he described as undermining the American dream of homeownership.
Delegate Hillman (Fairfax) countered that the bill reduces regulatory burdens and supports building single-family homes and other housing types that make homeownership easier. "This is a bill we should get along as Americans on either side of the aisle because it reduces regulatory burdens, increases the number of single family homes that are built," Hillman said, urging support.
The House passed HB 804 by recorded vote, Ayes 63, Noes 35. The House also passed HB 816, relating to by‑right multifamily development, by recorded vote (Ayes 64, Noes 35). Other housing bills recorded on the calendar that passed earlier in the session include measures on affordable‑housing performance grants (HB 352), expedited approvals for certain affordable developments (HB 594) and grants for housing local employees (HB 164), each reported with their recorded tallies during the session.
What happens next: The enrolled bills will proceed toward the Senate or, if already passed both chambers in future action, toward enrollment for the Governor’s consideration. The transcript contains the floor arguments and recorded votes; bill texts contain implementation specifics and any exceptions referenced during debate.
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