Today, in a 5-to-3 vote, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors made history with the passage of the Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance (AfDU). A policy years in the making, Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye said it is shaped by community voices, local data, and a shared vision for a vibrant future where people of all incomes and life stages can live, work, and thrive in Prince William County.
“This vote has been a long time coming,” said Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye, who has long championed the measure and held his first town hall on the issue alongside Woodbridge Supervisor Margaret Franklin in June 2021.
He added: “Until now, we have had to negotiate workforce and affordable units in market-rate residential projects on a case-by-case basis. With the ordinance, these conversations will start from a standard playbook. It clearly communicates that creating a variety of home types and price points is a priority for this Board.”
Addressing a Growing Crisis
Since 2019, the median home price in Prince William has risen from $375,000 to $550,000, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment has climbed to $2,000 per month, out of reach for most residents earning under $74,000 per year.
“We’re not just talking about statistics, we’re talking about our neighbors,” said Boddye. “We have people who serve our community living in inadequate spaces locally, commuting from Stafford and beyond, or leaving our labor market entirely, simply because they can’t afford to live here. That’s not sustainable.”
He noted that the benefits extend beyond the economic. “When we incentivize a mix of housing options, we lay the foundation for people to establish roots and stay connected across generations. That looks like your own kids being able to start families here one day and longtime residents remaining in the neighborhoods they helped shape.”
What the Ordinance Does
The AfDU Ordinance is designed to help restore balance to our housing market. It does not mandate free housing, offer a voucher program, or impose new requirements on already approved projects. Instead, it:
- Encourages mixed-income communities by requiring developers to include a modest percentage of affordable units or a contribution to the Housing Trust Fund in qualifying new developments. These homes must meet comparable design standards as market-rate units.
- Respects existing approvals. The ordinance only applies to new proposals. It does not alter densities, override proffers, or alter unit types in approved projects.
- Preserves public oversight. Unit type decisions remain with the Board, and bonus densities cannot exceed what is in the Board-adopted, publicly-available Comprehensive Plan. Waivers for certain standards may be granted only if affordable units are included and public health, safety, and welfare are protected.
- Improves accountability. For the first time, developers have clear guidance on how affordable units are delivered, marketed, and tracked. The County has a public-facing housing dashboard in development.
“I want to lay to rest worries that this could allow a ‘wild west’ development environment,” said Boddye. “We have an established comprehensive plan; we have an established zoning text. This ordinance will live within those. Developers still have to follow our regulations.”
Promises Kept
The AfDU Ordinance builds on years of groundwork, including the Board’s efforts to modernize the County’s Comprehensive Plan, launch a Housing Trust Fund, and strengthen the Housing Office. Boddye noted that these initiatives reflect countless hours of staff time, community advocacy, and deliberations with industry.
“In 2020, we said we wanted to create pathways to homeownership and housing stability,” said Boddye. “Today, we made good on that promise. This vote reflects who we are as a County—forward-thinking, inclusive, and ready to lead. Thank you to all who helped us reach this milestone.”
The ordinance takes effect December 1, 2025, to allow staff time to finalize implementation guidelines and design standards. Learn more: pwcva.gov/afdu