By Shenita Bethea

Housing and Human Services Manager

The Regional Housing Symposia was held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC).  Keynote Speaker, Trip Pollard, from the Southern Environmental Law Center presented his recent report, Jobs, Transportation, and Affordable Housing: Connecting Home and Work. This report was released in partnership with Housing Virginia and can be viewed at http://www.southernenvironment.org/uploads/publications/connecting_home_and_work.pdf .

In his report, Mr. Pollard provided an overview of the challenges facing communities as they try to create better coordination between where people reside as it relates to their employment location.  The report also identifies practical, workable solutions and opportunities to build a better future for Virginia’s communities. A host of other solutions are also offered, including:

• Eliminating regulatory barriers to more compact development with a mix of residential and commercial uses, and housing with a mix of styles, sizes, and prices;
• Promoting “infill” development, revitalizing existing communities, and redeveloping declining or abandoned commercial areas;
• Land-use plans and incentives to guide new development to designated growth areas;
• Incentives for green buildings that are healthier and more energy efficient; 
• Providing greater transportation options by reorienting state and local expenditures to advance alternatives to driving; and
• Requiring or offering incentives for developers to include affordable housing in projects and provide funding for affordable housing.

In addition to Mr. Pollard’s presentation, a panel of community leaders representing the fields of housing, economic development and transportation gave brief presentations and provided insight regarding this topic.

The event was sponsored by Housing Virginia, BB&T, Hampton Roads Housing Consortium, Hampton Roads ULI, Tidewater Builders Association, Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation, The Housing Roundtable, and Light Rail Now, Inc. The symposium can be viewed on the HRPDC’s YouTube channel or  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoXaqkiwGAg