OpenCampaign

Housing-Shortage

Housing and living costs

Governor Spanberger and legislators framed the 2026 session and final budget around an affordability crisis—high housing, healthcare, childcare, and energy costs—and included measures and funding aimed at lowering those costs for families while responding to federal funding pressures. Housing cost relief was listed among the budget’s major themes alongside education and healthcare investments.

What should Virginia’s state government do about high housing and everyday living costs?

Tap a point along the line below to show where you stand.

How important is this to you?

Sources

Governor Abigail D. Spanberger — https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/june-releases/name-1120418-en.html
includes investments to strengthen public education, contend with federal cuts, make sure data centers pay their fair share for the energy they use, and lower housing, healthcare, and energy costs for Virginia families.
Governor Abigail D. Spanberger — https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/april-releases/name-1116470-en.html
I began 2026 with one overarching goal: finding commonsense solutions to address Virginia’s affordability crisis... bills to address high costs across the board — particularly in healthcare, housing, and energy.
Williams Mullen — https://www.williamsmullen.com/insights/news/legal-news/general-assembly-hot-topic-bills-end-2026-virginia-legislative-session
legislators have convened a special session and will continue to work on the budget in the coming months, focusing their efforts on trying address the needs of affordability, the costs of everyday living, and the safety of all Virginians.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Majorly expand state housing aid, tenant protections, and subsidies to cut family housing costs
  2. Increase targeted state investments and policies to lower housing, childcare, and energy costs
  3. Balance modest cost-of-living relief with fiscal caution and public-private partnerships
  4. Rely mainly on deregulation and private development rather than new state housing spending
  5. Minimize state intervention in housing markets and reduce related taxes and programs