On behalf of the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership, thank you for attending the 2025 Regional Housing Partnership Summit. Your participation, insights, and dedication are invaluable as we work together to address housing challenges in our region.
We are grateful for your commitment to fostering collaboration and developing innovative solutions to create a stronger community. We look forward to continuing this important work alongside you!
OVERVIEW
The 2025 Regional Housing Summit, themed “From Crisis to Solution,” convened on March 13 at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hosted by the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership (CVRHP), the summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders—including elected officials, local government staff, regional planners, housing developers, and non-profit housing service providers—to address the pressing issue of housing affordability in the region.
The event featured a keynote address by Erica Sims, a seasoned expert in housing development with over 18 years of experience spanning private sector, nonprofit, and government roles. Ms. Sims shared insights from her extensive background, emphasizing strategies for creating sustainable and equitable communities through affordable housing initiatives.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in various breakout sessions covering topics such as economic development and housing, comprehensive planning for affordable housing success, and innovative tools like land trusts and housing trust funds. These sessions provided practical approaches and facilitated discussions aimed at fostering collaboration among participants.
The summit emphasized actionable outcomes, with attendees reporting intentions to:
- Apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
- Support the development of low-barrier shelters
- Work to support the community land trust
- Partner with contacts made during the summit
- Advocate for building code updates
- Explore a Rental Inspection Program
Key Breakout Sessions
The 2025 Regional Housing Summit featured a series of informative and engaging breakout sessions that provided valuable insights into housing solutions for Central Virginia. Topics ranged from innovative funding strategies and comprehensive planning approaches to partnerships that drive affordable housing development. Attendees left these sessions equipped with practical tools, fresh ideas, and new connections to support their efforts in creating more accessible and inclusive communities.
Among them were two sessions perceived very well: The session on “Comprehensive Planning for Affordable Housing Success” provided valuable insights into integrating affordable housing strategies into community planning processes. Meanwhile, the session titled “Where will teachers, mechanics, and CNAs live?” shed light on the tools that other counties are using, such as Right of First Refusal, and Affordable Housing Performance Grants which ensure that funding comes back from new development.
Monique Johnson, Virginia Housing
The 2025 Regional Housing Summit brought together voices from across sectors, creating a space for open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. Rather than simply identifying challenges, the Summit focused on advancing real, actionable solutions to improve housing affordability in Central Virginia. Moving forward, it’s essential to build on this progress—transforming ideas into meaningful change that expands housing access and strengthens our communities. The partnerships formed and insights shared during the Summit will play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable housing future for our region.
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event!
