THE TRUTH
Legal Fees
ARLINGTON COUNTY HAS SPENT
(so far)
OF TAXPAYER $'s SUING ITS OWN CITIZENS
$1.4 MILLION
After the homeowner/plaintiffs filed a Freedom of Information Act, Arlington County released the invoices from its outside legal counsel Gentry Locke. The County spent an astonishing $1.4 million tax dollars that could have subsidized many Arlington families in need of affordable housing.
PLEASE DONATE to help us fight the case in court. The arrogant County Board – instead of reworking the zoning ordinance – is determined to fight it in court and rack up more legal fees.
Lack of Transparency
view video
Resident speaks at Arlington County Board hearing about an EHO permit for a six-plex next door to her home. She invited Board Members to visit. No one accepted.
A Six-Plex Built without Notice
The County doesn't contact neighbors when accepting applications. Above on N. 14th Street, neighbors learned of a six-plex only when they heard construction noise. Visit our EHO permit page to find out the latest Expanded Housing Option (EHO) permitting.
​
Nearly 50 Missing Middle Housing permits have been issued by Arlington County despite the continuing court case that may find them illegal.
The Affordable Housing Myth
NOT ONE MISSING MIDDLE HOUSE
IS AFFORDABLE FOR TEACHERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND POLICE OFFICERS
​EARLY EXAMPLES
​
The changes in Arlington County's zoning code is not producing adffordable housing. In fact, the opposite is happening – housing prices are soaring. The economic model that more density will bring down prices, remains to be seen. So far, changing zoning codes and eliminating single-family zoned neighborhoods is only producing more expensive units.
Upzoning Case Studies
​While upzoning is often promoted as a tool to boost housing affordability, critics raise significant concerns about its unintended consequences and limitations. Here are the primary arguments against relying solely on upzoning for affordability:
​
1. Short-Term Price Increases and Land Speculation
-
Immediate cost spikes: Upzoning can trigger rapid increases in land values, as parcels gain development potential. In Seattle, upzoned lots saw 5-7% price jumps post-rezoning, with land prices rising faster than non-upzoned areas.
-
Speculative investment: Property owners in upzoned areas often hold land for future high-return projects rather than developing affordable units immediately.
​​
2. Gentrification and Displacement Risks
-
Demographic shifts: New market-rate developments in upzoned neighborhoods frequently attract wealthier residents. In Vancouver’s West End, 80% of new units post-upzoning catered to high-income households.
-
Direct displacement: A Chicago study linked upzoning to 1-2% displacement rates of low-income renters due to rent hikes or evictions.
A Closed Permitting Process
The issuing of Missing Middle/EHO permits has been a "closed-door" operation by both the Arlington County Board and Zoning Commission. Their website is a mess, difficult to navigate, and impossible to determine which properties have applied for EHO permits. Adjacent neighbors are not notified.
Arlington residents shouldn't have to file a Freedom of Information Act (FIOA) to find out what's happening. An open government is one that is transparent, participatory, and collaborative. We need a better system of sharing data and information.
Other Arlington County Falsehoods
Underestimated Permits
In its Policy Notes, Arlington County predicted Missing Middle Housing would result in the conversion of 20 single-family lots per year. The gross underestimation was just one of the County's many falsehoods. We have nearly 50 EHO permits at various stages of approval.
Tree Canopy
100 year old trees are being cleared to build multiplexes.
Infrastructure
Arlington County failed to study the impact of increased density on sewers, storm drains, garbage pickup, parking and transportation.
Stop the YIMBY movement from destroying single-family homes
X
​
Their misguided policy objectives include:
-
Enact policy changes that enable the construction of more and denser housing, including all housing types, in order to increase affordability..
-
Enact policy changes that directly support infill development.
