Charlottesville leaders and residents are seeking solutions to the current housing conditions that will improve racial equity and allow people of diverse economic statuses to continue to live in the city. Local research into housing needs shows that households earning very low incomes are most vulnerable to displacement because of the stark lack of units affordable to them and the rising housing costs in previously affordable neighborhoods.

The current dearth of housing affordable to lower-income earners and people on fixed incomes is not solely a product of the market, but rather of intentional regulations and policies at federal, state, and local levels.

This report shows that our commitment to fair housing will only be fulfilled if displacement prevention and preservation/production of deeply affordable housing are uppermost priorities. Given that our current housing crisis was produced by intentional, government policies—not the market—only such public entities have the tools at their disposal to undo the legacy of government-sponsored displacement, segregation, and lack of homeownership in underserved communities. Since the market merely responds to regulation, it cannot address the lack of affordable housing in Charlottesville; only stronger affordable housing policies and regulations can. Zoning changes must protect majority-Black neighborhoods from further displacement and integrate historically segregated neighborhoods.