VOICE Deeply Disappointed by Decision Halting Expanded Housing Options; Notes Critical Need for Housing 

VOICE today expressed deep disappointment with the decision by a Circuit Court judge to strike down Arlington County's 2023 Expanded Housing Options (EHO) policy.

"This decision represents a textbook example of why we have the housing crisis we do," said VOICE leader, Rev. Ashley Goff. "It is a shame that a few wealthy and well-connected owners of single-family detached homes can derail a democratic process that was years in the making, involved a rigorous legislative and community review, was broadly supported by Arlington residents, and was passed unanimously by the Arlington County Board."

"We urge Arlington County to address this wrong as speedily and forcefully as possible," she said. "Our young families, our seniors who want to downsize, our workforce families, and many more desperately need housing, and they need housing at different price points. The EHO policy responds to those needs."

Rev. Goff, pastor of Arlington Presbyterian Church, also emphasized the downstream effects of reinstating a policy that reserves the vast majority of the County's residential property for expensive single-family detached homes, thus increasing demand and costs for all those competing for homes, both owned and rental, in the remaining limited area. Those effects include poverty, instability, and lack of opportunity for Black and other families of color to build generational wealth. 

In the run-up to adoption of the Expanded Housing Options policy, also known as Missing Middle Housing, VOICE spoke to hundreds of County residents who supported the move as a way to expand the opportunity for more people to become homeowners.  

VOICE is a multi-faith, non-partisan citizens power organization comprised of religious and community institutions representing more than 180,000 families in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties and the city of Alexandria.