City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HELEN MCILVAINE, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Grant Submission to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' 2026 Housing Affordability Planning Program for $45,000 to Create a Pattern Book.
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ISSUE: Submission of a Grant Application to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (COG) 2026 Housing Affordability Planning Program (HAPP) for $45,000 to create a pattern book of potential housing typologies for Alexandria Single Unit Neighborhoods.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council approves submission of the grant application. If funds are awarded pursuant to COG's competitive review, request approval to authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to facilitate the project as proposed.
BACKGROUND: In November 2023, pursuant to a yearlong planning initiative branded "Zoning for Housing/Housing for All" (ZFH), City Council adopted a series of recommendations to amend the Zoning Ordinance with the goals of expanding geographic accessibility to new housing opportunities and expanding affordability and availability of housing in terms of price points, typologies, and tenures. The ZFH process built on reforms enacted in 2021-22, including the Accessory Dwelling Unit, Co-Living and Auxiliary Dwelling Unit programs, as well as creation of the Residential Multifamily Zone which exchanged substantial density increases for deep housing affordability. These have been successfully implemented and have resulted in new housing being produced, helping the City meet the goals of its 2013 Housing Master Plan while also advancing progress on City housing targets established through COG's Regional Housing Initiative endorsed by Council in 2020...
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