A voice for Virginia’s multifamily industry
The HBAV Multifamily Housing Council brings together multifamily owners, developers, and industry leaders to take on the zoning, permitting, code, and financing issues that decide whether projects get built in Virginia.
Multifamily is leading Virginia’s permit growth, and the rules that shape it are being written now.
Source: HBAV Housing Trends, August 2026
Multifamily projects face challenges single-family never sees.
Financing complexity, zoning, permitting, building code requirements, and density rules all work differently for multifamily. Removing those obstacles is essential to expanding Virginia’s housing supply and supporting long-term economic growth.
Without strong, coordinated advocacy, Virginia’s multifamily housing future is at risk. The Council makes sure the industry has a strong voice and is engaged early on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
PMA, NMHC, and AOBA do valuable work nationally and regionally. The Council is focused on Virginia: the state legislature, state agencies, and the local rules on zoning, permitting, fees, codes, and housing finance. It’s owner- and developer-driven, and it complements the national groups as the on-the-ground advocate for Virginia’s multifamily builders, owners, and developers.
Five ways the Council works for multifamily.
The Council is owner- and developer-driven. Members plan, finance, build, manage, and invest in multifamily communities across Virginia, from workforce housing to market-rate apartments.
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A seat at the table
We advocate directly with state lawmakers, regulators, and code officials so Virginia’s multifamily industry is heard, and respected, in policy decisions.
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Building code challenges
From overly complex requirements to enforcement issues, we work to modernize Virginia’s building regulations for feasible, high-quality multifamily development.
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Regulatory barriers and excessive fees
We identify and fight local and state policies, processes, and fees that delay or prevent new housing.
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Housing finance tools
We defend and promote the financing that makes projects viable, including tax credits, bonds, and other vital resources.
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Emerging issues, early
We track policy trends and act early, so members shape outcomes instead of reacting to them.
$250M
A year in Virginia housing tax credits, 2026–2030
5
Rent control bills defeated, 2025–2026
6
Years of state-level wins for multifamily
14
Member companies and counting
Six years of wins for Virginia multifamily.
HBAV has delivered legislative and regulatory results by working with lawmakers, state agencies, and industry partners. A few of them:
From $15 million to $250 million a year
Established in 2021, the VHOTC supports affordable rental housing in Virginia. HBAV led the push to expand it: $60 million a year for 2022–2025, then a historic expansion to $250 million a year for 2026–2030.
Rent control
HBAV defeated SB 1136 and HB 2175 in 2025 and HB 278, HB 1177, and SB 355 in 2026, which would have let localities cap annual rent increases.
Faster, predictable approvals
SB 974, HB 2660, and HB 135 moved plat and plan review from political bodies to administrative staff using objective standards.
Fair property assessments
Affordable housing is now assessed on the income approach instead of market comparables, saving developers thousands a year in property taxes.
Parking caps
Statewide caps on minimum parking requirements for residential, multifamily, and mixed-use development.
Tax abatement and financing tools
Affordable projects can use tax abatements, local Affordable Housing Performance Grants, and IDA/EDA financing, plus ASNH and CDBG support.
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
HBAV stopped proposals to cap or eliminate the credit, preserving a key incentive for multifamily redevelopment and infill.
EV charging mandates
Costly EV charging requirements on multifamily projects are defeated each session, protecting flexibility and development costs.
Solar canopy mandates
Blocked a proposal that would have let localities require solar canopies over multifamily parking lots.
Project Labor Agreement exemption
When localities gained authority to require union PLAs on public projects, HBAV secured an exemption for private residential construction.
Be part of the solution.
The Council is made up of companies that own, manage, build, or develop multifamily housing in Virginia, from national public and private companies to regional developers and local firms. Member dues help fund a goal of $200,000 a year for strategic advocacy and a full-time Government Affairs staff member dedicated to development and construction issues.
The Council is led by a Chair and Vice Chair, owners or developers serving two-year terms, and staffed by HBAV’s CEO.
- Proactive advocacyHBAV represents your interests at the state and local levels.
- Quarterly Multifamily Segment UpdateTimely updates on policy and regulatory changes affecting multifamily in Virginia.
- Election updatesWhat’s happening politically and electorally, and what it means for multifamily.
- Twice-yearly in-person meetingsInvitation-only discussions with council members from across the state.
- Virtual meetingsCalled as needed with members and HBAV’s Government Affairs staff on urgent topics.
- Member directoryA listing of council members for networking, collaboration, and sharing resources.
Owner and developer dues
Based on multifamily units owned or managed in Virginia. Billed each July.
| Units in Virginia | Annual dues |
|---|---|
| 100–499 | $3,000 |
| 500–999 | $5,000 |
| 1,000–2,500 | $7,500 |
| 2,501–4,999 | $10,000 |
| 5,000 or more | $15,000 |
Council dues are in addition to a company’s regular HBAV dues, paid through its local home builders association.
For companies that don’t own, develop, or manage multifamily housing but play a vital role in the industry: architecture, engineering, construction, legal, finance, consulting, and related fields.
Ready to join? We’ll walk you through membership, dues, and where your company fits.
Council members
- AGM Financial Services
- The Cathcart Group
- The Christopher Companies
- Dominion Due Diligence
- The Edison Company
- Evolve Development, LLC
- Genesis Properties
- Good Housing
- Gumenick Properties
- The Lawson Companies
- Main Street Realty
- Miller & Associates
- The Monument Companies
- Pinnacle Construction & Development
Stay ahead of what’s coming.
Multifamily Segment Update
From HBAV
Multifamily Project of the Year
Zeropak Apartments
Safe, affordable housing in a building that had sat unused, preventing blight and reinvesting in the neighborhood. Apartments serve households earning under 60% of area median income, with a fitness center, on-site library, storage, and free internet in every unit.
| Year | Project | Builder |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | The Summit at Uptown | Green Valley Builders |
| 2024 | Westmont Apartments, Arlington | Lessard Design |
Multifamily Project of the Year is presented at the Housing Excellence Awards during HBAV’s Annual Conference.
Annual Conference & awardsMake sure Virginia stays a place multifamily can get built.
Talk with Craig about joining the Council, what membership includes, and where your company fits, or with Andrew and Kara about the legislative and regulatory issues the Council works on.
