2025 Regional Housing Summit - Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

Held in March of 2025, the Regional Housing Summit focused on addressing the critical issues of housing affordability. Hosted by the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership , this summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including elected officials, local government staff, for-profit developers, realtors, rental management companies, non-profit housing developers, and homelessness service providers.

About the Summit

The 2025 Regional Housing Summit explored innovative and practical solutions to the housing affordability crisis. Through a series of engaging presentations, discussions, and ample networking opportunities across the region, the event fostered collaboration and inspired action among attendees. Participants included elected officials, planning staff, contractors, housing developers, rental company staff, researchers, and representatives from both non-profit and for-profit housing organizations, as well as service providers and others. Scholarships were awarded on a case-by-case basis, with applications managed by Laurie Jean at ljtalun@tjpdc.org.

Regional Housing Summit at the Omni, Charlottesville

Attendance: 215 people attended the 2025 Regional Housing Summit. Of those in attendance, 37% were from the business community, 26% were government staff and elected officials, and 29% were connected to local non-profit organizations.

Summit Outcomes

Actions that attendees report they will take as a result of attending the Summit included:

Apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
Partner with others I met at the Summit
Support the development of low barrier shelters
Work to support the community land trust
Incorporate new strategies in future Comprehensive Plans
Advocate for building code updates
Explore a Rental Inspection Program
Develop private-public partnerships to create more affordable housing

Keynote

Erica Sims

Erica Sims has worked in housing development for over 18 years. Ms. Sims has held private sector, nonprofit, and government roles and has overseen the development of over 2,500 units of affordable housing and 50,000 square feet of commercial development space in new construction and renovation projects. Her focus has been social and economic justice through housing and economic development. She speaks directly to the realities that face leaders who want to address housing needs, and elevates promising strategies to advance access to affordable housing.

Prior to joining HDAdvisors, she was the Deputy Executive Director of Mutual Housing Association of New York, an non-profit affordable housing developer, owner, and manager with a portfolio over 1,500 units of affordable housing. She received a Bachelor’s in Economics and a Bachelor’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and a Masters of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Agenda

March 13, 2025

8:00 – 9:00………..Registration and Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15………..Welcome/Overview/Sponsor Welcome
Ned Gallaway, Chair & Keith Smith, Vice-Chair – CVRHP / Virginia Housing
9:15 – 9:30………..Keynote Welcome: Erica Sims
9:30 – 10:00……..Networking Break
10:00 – 11:00……Breakout Sessions #1
11:00 – 11:50……Break and Select Lunch
11:50 – 12:00……Guest Speaker: Monique Johnson, Virginia Housing
12:00 – 12:30……Lunch and Keynote: Erica Sims
12:30 – 1:00………Networking Break
1:00 – 2:00………..Breakout Sessions #2
2:00 – 2:15………..Break
2:15 – 3:15………..Breakout Sessions #3

Breakout Sessions

Economic Development and Housing

Learn how Henrico County, the EDA, and Spy Rock successfully collaborated to improve affordable housing, offering insights into the process and lessons for replicating similar initiatives.

For-Profit Affordable Housing Developers

Join for-profit affordable housing developers Pinnacle Construction and SCG Development as they share key strategies for making affordable housing projects feasible, even in expensive markets. The discussion will cover how developers manage project timelines, build financial reserves, and utilize tax credits to support their developments. Attendees will also gain insights into the operational side, including management practices that help sustain affordable housing over the long term.

Comprehensive Planning for Affordable Housing Success

Co-author of The Comprehensive Plan: Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Communities for the 21st Century, will share key strategies for integrating affordable housing into long-term community planning. This session will provide practical approaches to building sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities, emphasizing the critical role of comprehensive planning in addressing housing challenges for the future.

Virginia’s Housing Hacks: What Can be Done in a Dillon Rule State?

Virginia is a “Dillon Rule” state, where local governments have limited authority. In this session, learn the many tools localities can still use to enhance access to housing in their communities.

Where will teachers, mechanics, and CNAs live?

How Prince George’s developed new tools to protect older units in high-growth areas, transforming them into long-term affordable housing.

Housing First as a Solution to Homelessness: Harrisonburg Homeless Services Center

Harrisonburg’s compassionate community and public-private partnership are launching the Navigation Center to provide emergency shelter and services for unhoused adults, highlighting the Housing First model and its potential as a model for other communities.

Land Trusts, Land Banks, Strike Funds, and Housing Trust Funds: When to use which?

Experts from HDAdvisors and other counties, land trusts and banks will discuss a range of tools for preserving and creating affordable housing. This session will explore when and how to use these tools effectively, offering practical guidance on leveraging them to address housing challenges in various markets.

Preserving Communities

Explore strategies for preserving communities and preventing displacement, including heirs’ property, tenant purchase opportunities, and protecting LIHTC properties to ensure long-term housing affordability.

Listening to Each other

Moderated by Franklin Dukes of the UVA Institute for Engagement and Negotiation, four individuals from our region who hold a variety of viewpoints related to affordable housing will engage in a panel discussion about strategies and solutions, based on their varying experiences. The goal of this conversation is to model listening and calm dialogue, and to be able to hear the reasoned concepts behind each stance, ultimately to improve our ability to work together to create a community that is livable and inviting for all residents. Panelists: Julian Bivins, Sunshine Mathon, Chris Fairchild, Valerie Long.