Richmond survey shows housing costs are squeezing renters most
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A new survey from a pro-zoning refresh group found nearly 70% of Richmonders support allowing more housing types in the area, such as duplexes, small apartments and condos.
Why it matters: Changing neighborhoods that are currently only single-family homes has become a hot-button issue as the city completes its biggest code rewrite in a generation.
The big picture: Housing affordability continues to be a major concern for most Richmonders, according to the new survey from housing group coalition Homes for All Our Neighbors.
- It mirrors findings from a survey from the Richmond Association of Realtors last year, released shortly after draft one of the zoning update.
- Both found that while the majority of residents are worried about housing affordability, it's a far bigger concern for renters, younger residents (ages 18–34) and Black Richmonders.
Zoom in: In the Homes survey, 78% of renters and Richmonders 18–34 said the city doesn't have enough housing options and price points to meet residents' needs, compared to 66% of homeowners and people 65 and older.
- Meanwhile, 74% of Black respondents said they support changing zoning code to allow new development to be built citywide as opposed to in a few neighborhoods. Among white respondents, 63% supported the change.
By the numbers: 48% of all respondents — including 67% of renters — said high housing costs have made them consider leaving the city.
- 69% supported allowing more housing types, with 67% supporting duplexes specifically.
Catch up quick: The first draft of the zoning update — which eliminated exclusively single-family home neighborhoods and allowed for larger mixed-use buildings in more parts of the city — drew pushback from some neighborhood associations.
- The city's latest draft included a "preservation bonus," a stipulation that existing homes can't be torn down and replaced with duplexes or multiple homes.
Homes for All Our Neighbors is pushing for an exception to the preservation rule in draft three that would allow small duplexes (1,500 square feet or less) to be built in place of a single-family home.
- Smaller homes like these sell for $180,000 less than larger homes, according to the group, and fewer and fewer of them are being built.
The fine print: For the survey, Embold Research surveyed 621 registered Richmond voters between March 20 and 29. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.3%.
What's next: The city's third Code Refresh draft is expected this spring.