HOUSING
Ensuring citizens the availability of affordable, quality housing is the goal of all localities. Such assurance reflects a community’s ability to respond to the needs of its citizens, as well as to accommodate growth and economic development. Although the housing delivery system itself is primarily a private system, local governments can be influential in steering the system. Public policies can be designed and implemented to influence the housing delivery system to ensure that local housing goals are met.
Compared to neighboring counties, the 1980 median dollar value of owner-occupied housing in Highland County was second only to Rockbridge County (and tied with Alleghany County’s $33,000.) By 2000, however, median value had increased to $83,700. Median contract rent for rental units in 2000 was $339 per month in the county.
Housing Characteristics
Another essential characteristic of Highland County’s housing stock is its age. Approximately 50% of the existing homes were built prior to 1960. Nearly 28% were built before 1940. General housing guidelines state that a house more than 40 years old may require extensive renovation to remain a viable housing resource. While the majority of older homes in the county have been maintained or restored, some have not. While such problems do not appear widespread in Highland, it is important that the County stay abreast of the needs of residents living in older housing.
Occupancy Characteristics
In 2000, the average number of people per owner-occupied home was 2.28 and 2.07 per renter-occupied home. These figures represent declines from 1980 census information, but are generally consistent with national trends toward smaller families.
The 2000 census data reported a total of 1,822 housing units in the county. These are located fairly consistently around the county, with 578 units in the eastern section, 730 units in the western section and 514 units in the Monterey section.
Close to 52% of housing units in the county are owner-occupied, about 10% are rental units and almost 40% are vacant.
Having an adequate supply of affordable housing and the proximity of housing to job sites are important factors for quality of life. In 2003 the Virginia General Assembly passed HB 2406, requiring localities to designate areas and implement measures for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of affordable housing that is sufficient to meet the current and future needs of residents at all income levels in the locality.
"Affordable housing" according to Section 15.2-2201 of the Code of Virginia is: "Housing that is affordable to households with incomes at or below the area median income, provided that the occupant pays not more than 30% of gross income for gross housing costs, including utilities."
There are several segments of the population who may have specific housing needs not currently being met under market conditions. These could include young families, workforce and /or "public servants" and senior citizens having need of assisted living facilities.