Sr.

News

Faith in Housing bill crosses finish line, clears path for church-based affordable housing

By Emily Leayman
Central United Methodist Church and Unity Homes building in Ballston as it prepared to open in 2024 (staff photo by Savannah Taffe)

The “Yes in God’s Backyard” movement is celebrating after the Faith in Housing bill, supporting expedited church-based affordable housing development, has been signed into law.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)’s SB 388 and Del. Joshua Cole (D-65)’s HB 1279, which will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031 unless reenacted by a future General Assembly.

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County Board member joins push to help churches redevelop with affordable housing

By Emily Leayman
Arlington County Board member Julius "JD" Spain, Sr. (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington County Board member JD Spain Sr. is throwing his support behind a state bill to accelerate affordable housing development on church properties.

Spain joined the Rev. Alice Tewell of Clarendon Presbyterian Church — which put its affordable housing proposal in Lyon Village on pause last year amid rising costs coupled with a lengthy approval process — in testifying on behalf of State Sen. Jeremy McPike’s (D-29) Faith in Housing Act.

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Government-change proponents face uphill battle educating residents about the issue

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board members JD Spain, Sr., and Susan Cunningham (screenshot via Arlington County)

Before Arlington moves to change its form of government, it needs to educate more residents on what the current structure is and why reforms might be needed, one County Board member believes.

“Walk down a street in Ballston, Columbia Pike, anywhere — most folks will look at you like a deer in the headlights” when governance is brought up, Julius “J.D.” Spain, Sr., said at the Jan. 13 Arlington County Civic Federation meeting.

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Arlington nonprofit celebrates 25 years of serving immigrant communities

By Scott McCaffrey
SEEC leaders cut cake to mark 25th anniversary (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Leaders of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center used its 25th-birthday celebration to further commit to supporting the people that the organization helps.

SEEC, as it is known, provides “trust, hard work and hope” for the county’s immigrant population, board chair Chris Concepcion said at an Oct. 10 dinner held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

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Karantonis: Critics of county’s public-comment rules should offer alternatives

By Scott McCaffrey
Sam Laveson speaks during the July 19, 2025, County Board public comment (screenshot via Arlington County)

If you don’t like the way the County Board conducts public-comment sessions, come up with an alternative proposal.

That was the message from Board Chair Takis Karantonis on July 19, as the governing body again received criticism for limiting speakers at public-comment sessions to one per topic.

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Leaders emphasize communication and election strategies at NAACP forum

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington County Board member Julius "JD" Spain, Sr. (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Political leaders need to meet the moment and connect with a fearful and angry Northern Virginia electorate, one county leader believes.

“The status quo is just not good enough. What are we going to do about it?” County Board member Julius “JD” Spain Sr. said during a Saturday forum sponsored by NAACP branches of Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County.

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Arlington cooperation with Israel Advisory Board debated at County Board meeting

By Scott McCaffrey
Aasim Rawoot (screenshot via Arlington County)

Debate over Arlington County’s relationship with an agency helping Israeli companies build their operations in Virginia broke out anew last weekend.

Activists criticized past cooperation between Arlington Economic Development and the Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB), a state-funded agency.

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With chants and boos, activists press Arlington County Board to end cooperation with ICE

By Dan Egitto
Members of the public at an Arlington County Board meeting on in March 2025 (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Forceful debate over Arlington County’s approach to a recent surge in immigration enforcement dominated a County Board meeting this weekend.

Following extensive public comments and shouted chants and boos from dozens of advocates, several Board members raised the possibility of once again revising county policy on when local police can contact federal law enforcement.

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