Since Arlington County’s Expanded Housing Options (EHO) plan passed in March 2023 and went into effect in July, Arlington County has issued several Missing Middle permits with another few dozen pending. A similar measure is under consideration in Alexandria. These efforts are meant to address the historically low housing inventory and the expensive housing market in Northern Virginia.

As the leading voice of Northern Virginia’s residential real estate, the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®, in collaboration with George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, held a virtual briefing discussing this issue. Panelists included:

• Matt de Ferranti, Arlington County Board of Supervisors member
• Nicholas Lagos, Realtor®, Broker of Century 21 New Millennium, Arlington; and past NVAR president (2020)
• Terry Clower, PhD, Director, George Mason University, Center for Regional Analysis
• Charles Taylor, Acquisitions Manager, Classic Cottages, Alexandria, VA

NVAR CEO Ryan McLaughlin moderated the briefing. 

"NVAR's standing policy position is to support local government efforts to increase the supply of housing attainable to all income levels. This is critically important now more than ever, as we look to fill the housing needs, and address the housing supply shortage across the region," McLaughlin stated in his opening address. "Our primary focus is to preserve the dream of home ownership in our region, through a diverse housing stock available for the greatest number of people possible."

Inventory of housing units available in Arlington this September was down 24% year-over-year, while prices continue to rise.

Matt de Ferranti, Arlington County Board of Supervisors member, stated that the purpose of the policy "is and was about housing affordability, not about affordable housing." He emphasized affordable housing is essential and Arlington invests heavily in this, but housing affordability is about creating possibilities for individuals to rent or own in Arlington long-term, and Missing Middle is just one of many possible solutions meant to address this. 

NVAR will continue to serve Realtors® with data and facts regarding Missing Middle developments in Arlington and across the region. Please continue to check The Source for future updates and news.