Despite the slowdown in the housing market, housing prices in Virginia Beach still remain above what is considered affordable to moderate income, working professionals. Due to the gap between income and housing prices, for both ownership and rent, many of our vital workforce members are forced to commute or relocate entirely.

​The Workforce Housing Program was created to improve affordable housing opportunities for vital members of our community - our teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, medical technicians, military personnel, retail workers, recent college graduates and young families. 

The program offers a "bonus density" to developers who voluntarily build workforce housing units in combination with the development of market-rate units. By allowing developers to build more units with no additional land cost, rental units are more affordable and “for-sale” units are sold with special financing that allows for more affordable monthly mortgage payments. The Workforce Housing Program also allows the city first rights to buy back the property at the time of resale, therefore helping to maintain an affordable stock of homes.​

Workforce Housing Ben​efits All of Us​

Buye​​​rs

• Enables buyers at the targeted incomes a chance to become homeowners when they would have otherwise been priced out of the market.
  
• Enhances the affordability of the housing unit by up to 25%.
  
• Provides program participants the ability to live and work in Virginia Beach.
  
• Mortgage interest is tax deductible.

Re​nters

• Renters are provided affordable rents.
  
• Renters are able to live in quality units.
• Provides program participants the ability to live and work in Virginia Beach.

Devel​opers

• Participating in the program is voluntary.
  
• Developers who choose to participate in the program are offered a "bonus density" for including workforce housing units in their housing development.
  
• There is a simplified sales process. 
  

Commu​​nity & City

• High quality housing is built.
  
• Neighbors do not experience a reduction in property values.
  
• Workforce housing is integrated throughout development.
  
• City's ability to provide high-quality affordable housing is increased.
  
• Our local workforce can live where they work.
  
• Workforce communities enhance the city's economic development and quality of life.
  
• The city is able to attract and retain the best employers and employees.
  
• The affordability of housing for future generations is preserved.