Richmond survey shows housing costs squeezing renters most

Nearly 70% of residents support allowing more housing types like duplexes and small apartments

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a small apartment building or duplex unit repeated in a tight grid pattern, using a vibrant neon color palette with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the everyday housing concept into modern pop art.A bold visual representation of the growing demand for more diverse housing options in Richmond, Virginia.Richmond Today

A new survey from a pro-zoning refresh group found nearly 70% of Richmonders support allowing more housing types in the area, such as duplexes, small apartments and condos. The survey found that housing affordability continues to be a major concern for most Richmonders, with 78% of renters and those aged 18-34 saying the city doesn't have enough housing options and price points to meet residents' needs.

Why it matters

Changing neighborhoods that are currently only single-family homes has become a hot-button issue as the city completes its biggest code rewrite in a generation. The survey results highlight the divide between homeowners and renters, as well as differences in perspectives between racial groups, on the need for more diverse housing options to address the city's affordability crisis.

The details

The survey from housing group coalition Homes for All Our Neighbors found that 69% of respondents supported allowing more housing types citywide, with 67% specifically supporting duplexes. Meanwhile, 74% of Black respondents said they support changing zoning code to allow new development to be built citywide, compared to 63% of white respondents. The survey also found that 48% of all respondents, including 67% of renters, said high housing costs have made them consider leaving the city.

  • The survey was conducted between March 20 and 29, 2026.

The players

Homes for All Our Neighbors

A housing group coalition that conducted the survey on housing affordability and zoning in Richmond.

Richmond Association of Realtors

The organization that released a separate survey on housing affordability in Richmond last year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The city is currently working on the third draft of its zoning code update, which will determine whether exceptions are made to allow small duplexes to replace single-family homes, a change that Homes for All Our Neighbors is pushing for.

The takeaway

The survey results highlight the growing divide between homeowners and renters in Richmond when it comes to housing affordability and the need for more diverse housing options. As the city updates its zoning code, it will have to balance the concerns of different groups to address the housing crisis in a way that meets the needs of all residents.