Housing
Our Work
PlanRVA works with localities and partners to assess housing challenges, create and analyze data, shape policies, and support planning efforts that address local and regional housing needs while meeting federal program requirements.
Housing Data & Analysis
Market Value Analysis
PlanRVA has supported two Market Value Analysis (MVA) efforts in the region, with a third region-wide analysis currently in development for release in 2026. A Market Value Analysis is an in-depth analysis and depiction of a community's housing market. Created on a small geographic scale, it reveals the mosaic of market conditions.
- In 2017, the first MVA for the Richmond Region was completed by the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation (RMHF). The 2017 MVA was ultimately incorporated into the award-winning Richmond 300 Master Plan. That plan recommended updating the MVA every few years.
- In 2021, RMHF partnered with PlanRVA to conduct a second MVA, which was completed in 2022. The analysis includes the City of Richmond and urbanized portions of Chesterfield County and Henrico County. Read about the 2022 MVA results here.
- The 2026 “MVA Lite” will cover all nine localities of the PlanRVA region.
Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count
PlanRVA assists with data collection and mapping for the Richmond region’s annual homeless point in time (PIT) count, led by Homeward. PlanRVA uses aggregated data from the PIT to help inform multiple types of planning efforts. More information about the process, data, and ways to receive or give help, is available here.
Wealth Opportunities Realized Through Homeownership (WORTH)
PlanRVA is a member of the regional WORTH Collaborative and assists with data analysis and reporting. “Members of the Collaborative implement regional plans catered to their communities. These plans center grassroots outreach and housing counseling for families in underserved areas that have historically experienced systemic barriers to homeownership. In addition to housing counseling, the initiative provides downpayment assistance to eligible families based on their need” (LISC Virginia).
Read more about the WORTH program here.
Policy and Practice: Housing Supply, Diversity and Affordability
Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA) and the Richmond Regional Housing Framework
The Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA) is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting policies, developments, and programs that respond to the housing needs of the Richmond region. PlanRVA uses PHA’s Regional Housing Framework as our regional strategy guide for housing. PlanRVA supports PHA in advancing the goals and solutions in their Richmond Regional Housing Framework through:
- Partnering with PHA to implement the Virginia Housing Planning District Commission (PDC) Grant
- Serving as a data partner for RVA Rising, the Market Value Analysis, Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
- Working together to support the needs of our local governments, particularly our smaller localities
To learn more about PHA’s efforts to ensure healthy, stable, and affordable housing across the Richmond region, explore the Framework’s Goals and Solutions here.
Virginia Housing Regional Housing Development Grant
In July 2025, PlanRVA was awarded $1.2 million from Virginia Housing’s Regional Housing Development Program, which provides funding to Planning District Commissions (PDCs) to support the creation of affordable housing.
Working collaboratively with the Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA), these funds will support the development of 169 new affordable homes across the region, including apartments and single-family homes for households earning 30-80% of the area median income (AMI). The program runs from July 2025 through June 2027.
VH PDC Grant 2025-2027 Recipients
| Rams Circle | Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Chesterfield | 1 |
| Habitat Goochland | Habitat for Humanity - Goochland | Goochland | 1 |
| Homeownership Program FY25/26 | Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity | Hanover | 4 |
| Darbytown Road | Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Henrico | 5 |
| Habitat Powhatan Modular | Habitat for Humanity - Powhatan | Powhatan | 1 |
| Saint Elizabeth Apartments | Commonwealth Catholic Charities | Richmond | 56 |
| 2100 Bainbridge | project:HOMES | Richmond | 83 |
| Highland Grove | Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Richmond | 8 |
| Pollack Street | The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust | Richmond | 10 |
PlanRVA and PHA partnered to administer the previous round of this program together. The first round (June 2021-June 2025) provided $3 million to support 270 affordable housing units to the Richmond region for residents earning up to 80% AMI.
Together, PlanRVA and PHA continue to expand affordable housing opportunities. PHA manages the grant funds and partners with local non-profits, such as Habitat for Humanity, to deliver projects that meet community needs.
Analysis of Impediments (Fair Housing)
PlanRVA helps support the work of localities in meeting Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act. In 2020, several localities in the region and the Tri-Cities area collaborated to analyze impediments to fair housing choice. Read the study and its findings here.