Lyle Solla-YatesMay 2
https://www.arlnow.com/2026/04/30/faith-in-housing-bill-line-crosses-finish-line-clears-path-for-church-based-affordable-housing/ “this is a huge step forward in addressing a housing shortage where Virginia is missing over 300,000 homes” #zoning #housing #VALeg #Virginia #YIGBY
Faith in Housing bill crosses finish line, clears path for church-based affordable housing | ARLnow.com

The “Yes in God’s Backyard” movement is celebrating after the Faith in Housing bill, supporting expedited church-based affordable housing development, has been signed into law. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)’s SB 388 and Del. Joshua Cole (D-65)'s HB 1279, which will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt

ARLnow | Arlington, Va. local news
Michael McLeanApr 21
This person really gets the brilliance of #YIGBY www.reddit.com/r/illinois/s...

AliMcGraw's comment on "Subjec...
Show threadLyle Solla-YatesApr 9
“One church has been working for about five years to try to build affordable housing on their property, and because of zoning laws it just wasn’t happening,” said Sessoms. “That church ended up spending well over $300,000 without a shovel in the ground. They decided late last year that they would give up.” #YIGBY
Michael McLeanApr 3
#YIGBY In the news! Happy to chat with Evanston Now about how #SB3187 empowers congregations to address the housing shortage in Illinois @[email protected] @[email protected]

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:rrij2mggvrd7irqipfaydvgr/post/3mim27ccsnq24
Show threadLyle Solla-YatesMar 18
7. Support for nonprofit affordable housing development (YIGBY), passed. Similar to efforts in Charlottesville, this allows many nonprofit landowners like houses of worship to build affordable housing by right if they can get the funding support to do it. #YIGBY #housing #VALeg https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1279
Lyle Solla-YatesFeb 17
https://virginiamercury.com/2026/02/17/our-churches-are-being-priced-out-of-virginia-lawmakers-could-help-them-survive/ “Elders who are retiring and young families trying to raise children simply cannot afford to stay.” #Virginia #housing #VALeg #YIGBY #zoning #inflation #shortage
Our churches are being priced out of Virginia. Lawmakers could help them survive. • Virginia Mercury

It is our sincere hope that Virginia lawmakers will invest in housing solutions to meet the dire needs of our congregants and residents statewide, guest columnists Rev. Dr. Keith Savage and Rev. Dr. Michael Sessoms write. 

Virginia Mercury
Lyle Solla-YatesFeb 14
https://www.arlnow.com/2026/02/13/church-based-affordable-housing-bill-passes-both-va-chambers-approaching-finish-line/ “We’ve got nonprofit organizations willing to step up and help us with some of our critical need for housing across the commonwealth” #Virginia #VALeg #YIGBY #housing
Church-based affordable housing bill passes both Va. chambers, approaching finish line | ARLnow.com

The "Yes in God's Backyard" movement scored a win this week as the Faith in Housing bill passed the Virginia Senate after gaining initial approval in the House of Delegates. The Senate voted 21-18 on Wednesday to pass state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)'s SB 388, which would eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and

ARLnow | Arlington, Va. local news
Lyle Solla-YatesFeb 4
https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/02/03/fairfax-mayor-advocates-for-virginia-to-ease-rules-for-church-based-affordable-housing/ “Every time you delay something, the market forces themselves simply make it more expensive to build” #YIGBY #VALeg #Virginia #Housing #PredatoryDelay #shortage #inflation
Fairfax mayor advocates for state to clear path for church-based affordable housing | FFXnow

A lengthy approval process for an affordable townhouse development motivated Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read to testify in support of state legislation eliminating a key hurdle to affordable housing on church-owned properties. State Sen. Jeremy McPike's (D-29) Senate Bill 388 would eliminate would let religious organizations develop housing on their land by right, without needing

FFXnow | Fairfax County, Va. breaking news and local happenings
Lyle Solla-YatesJan 26
https://wamu.org/story/26/01/23/virginia-democrats-campaigned-on-housing-affordability-now-the-question-is-how-to-deliver/ “there is a collective recognition, certainly among Democrats in the General Assembly, that we ran on a platform of affordability” #Virginia #VAPol #VALeg #zoning #housing #shortage #displacement #inflation #homelessness #jobs #YIGBY
Virginia Democrats Weigh Zoning Reform to Boost Housing Supply

One key question is whether lawmakers will support state-level zoning reforms in an attempt to make building new housing easier.

WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio
Lyle Solla-YatesJan 23
There is a helpful roundup here of the big housing bills being considered this year in expensive Virginia. I am optimistic that many of these will finally pass this year after many years of debate and indecision. https://www.reddit.com/r/Virginia/s/DednetFyBd #housing #Virginia #VALeg #YIGBY #YIMBY #inflation #shortage #homelessness #displacement #ParkingReform