Published on
02/18/2026
Data from a new county housing needs assessment presented to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 10 analyzed our rental and homeownership markets. Among the findings:
- More homes are needed: Fairfax County will require 41,000-95,000 total new homes by 2035. This projection encompasses both homes for rent and homes for purchase.
- Housing supply did not keep pace with job growth from 2013-2023: The analysis examined 10 years of jobs data (2013-2023) and found that 2.13 jobs were added per new home. This indicates housing supply is not keeping pace with demand.
- Critical shortage of rental homes affordable to people earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI): Fairfax County currently lacks an estimated 13,800 rental homes affordable to people at this income level or below. In addition, thousands of additional affordable homes are needed over the course of the next decade.
- Homeownership affordability gap is widening: In 2024, the median home sales price was $770,000. A family of four would need a household income of at least $230,000 to afford the median home sales price. Further, every single-family detached home built in 2025 sold for more than $1.1 million.
- Renters are overwhelmingly cost-burdened: Almost half (45%) of all renter households are cost-burdened as they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. This increases to 87% for renters earning less than $75,000 per year.
The data will also inform a housing production roadmap and action plan, per the Board Matter presented by Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.
A video of the Feb. 10 meeting is available on the Channel 16 BOS Committee Meetings archive.
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