The Richmond region is beginning to embrace mixed-income, mixed-use developments as a way to provide safe and affordable housing.
Proof of the economic benefits of well-built, high-density communities where people live, work and play was provided at yesterday's symposium at the University of Richmond to kick off Affordable Housing Awareness Week.
In opening remarks, Laura Lafayette said her role as chief executive officer of the Richmond Association of Realtors is to be engaged in the broader community and to care about all aspects of housing.
Housing has become more affordable in the Richmond area in the past two or three years, as property values have fallen, she said.
But the need for safe and stable affordable housing hasn't changed, she said.
About 125 corporate leaders, government officials, Realtors and nonprofit representatives attended the morning symposium. Three busloads of people toured a total of 14 affordable-housing properties in the Richmond area in the afternoon.
A study by George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis showed the positive effects of mixed-income, mixed-use communities in Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico.
The report looked at the impact on housing values, assessments and crime levels of these higher-density communities on surrounding single-family neighborhoods. In nearly every instance, the results were positive, said Lisa A. Sturtevant, assistant research professor, who presented the information.
Affordable housing for a range of incomes is important for social and economic issues, she said.
"The results should encourage localities to develop more mixed-income, mixed-use communities to ensure the Richmond area's vitality and quality of life," she said.
Trip Pollard, senior attorney of the Southern Environmental Law Center and the a keynote speaker, said the Richmond area will need 150,000 new housing units by 2030 and it is important to look now at how best to address those needs.
"There is no question about whether we will grow, but how and where will we grow?" Pollard said.
He presented the results of a study titled "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future of the Greater Richmond Area."
Suburban sprawl contributes to poor air quality, congestion and higher infrastructure and service costs, while higher density, mixed-used communities are more sustainable and can raise a region's quality of life, Pollard said.
"Quality of life directly affects economic prosperity," he said.
Localities are beginning to pick up on the benefits of mixed-use communities, he said.
"We are starting to see a new way of thinking," Pollard said. "A lot of thinking is going on. A lot of shifts are taking place."
Contact Carol Hazard at (804) 775-8023 or chazard@timesdispatch.com.
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