Governor Glenn Youngkin was greeted warmly by housing advocates gathered in Arlington for the annual Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference (VAGHC) last month. In his speech that closed out the conference, Youngkin spoke about the importance of making affordable housing a public priority and the importance of having a housing strategy that accompanies plans for economic development. “We must align housing development with economic growth.” This was also the theme to a closing plenary that was held just prior to the Governor’s appearance. The plenary was moderated by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick who highlighted the overarching tone that housing must be a consideration that is addressed before economic ventures put a squeeze on the housing market that is difficult to overcome and impacts housing at all levels.
