Spanberger unveils plan to make housing more affordable, accessible

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger unveiled her plans to make housing more affordable and accessible throughout Virginia while in Henrico County on Friday. 

“No matter where I travel, whether I’m in the City of Richmond or Richmond County, or Radford, or Roanoke, or Hampton Roads, I hear about the high cost of housing,” Spanberger said.

The Democratic nominee for governor said that it starts with investing in ways to increase Virginia’s housing supply. 

We have to incentivize new construction of housing in Virginia that is attainable to first-time homeowners and middle-class families,” Spanberger explained. 

Spanberger added that reducing regulations is also key. 

“These are arduous regulatory requirements that drive up production costs without improving quality or impacting safety,” Spanberger said.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the rising cost of rent, a document handed to reporters by members of Spanberger’s campaign said as governor, she would support "extending the timeline before a landlord can begin eviction proceedings from 5 to 14 days."

In response to Spanberger’s plan, her opponent, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign sent 8News the following statement. 

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears doesn’t just talk about housing, she’s lived the mission. From directing a homeless shelter to launching Virginia’s Workforce Housing Investment Program, she’s combined compassion with reform to get results. She’s cut costly red tape for builders and families while keeping government accountable to the people it serves. That’s the kind of principled, results-driven leadership Virginians deserve.” Peyton Vogel, Press Secretary, Winsome for Governor