2025 Virginia State Legislator Scorecards

Our Virginia Legislative Scorecard evaluated legislators based on how they voted in 2025 on key housing-focused bills that legalize more homes, fix broken incentives, and streamline permitting.

YIMBY Action volunteer leaders from our RVA, NoVA, and Hampton Roads chapters categorized each bill’s level of importance by evaluating factors like impact on the number of new homes to be created and chances of passing. We then ranked the legislation as:

• High Priority - These bills were identified as the proposals that had the potential to produce the most new homes. Local YIMBY Action chapters proactively mobilized in support of these bills at every stage of the legislative process via emails, phone calls, and meetings with legislators.
• Priority - These bills were identified as proposals that would produce new homes, but would not have as large an impact as High Priority bills. Local YIMBY Action chapters actively supported these bills via emails and phone calls.
• Support - These bills were identified as proposals that would create opportunities for new homes or streamline existing approval processes. Local YIMBY Action chapters supported these bills in meetings with legislators.

Lawmakers earned points for every “Yes” vote on these pro-housing bills, with the most points coming from the highest priority legislation. We also recognized leadership: legislators who sponsored or co-sponsored key bills received bonus points for stepping up to drive change.

Votes against housing cost points, and abstentions didn’t result in a penalty of points being taken away from overall scores. This methodology included only substantive committee and floor votes and not those in fiscal “money committees” that focus on budget impacts rather than policy.

Each legislator’s score reflects how often they voted for or opposed more homes, more opportunity, and a stronger Virginia. Scores were converted into A–F grades for each chamber, so it’s easy to see who’s leading the way toward a more affordable, inclusive future.

This year, we are publishing grades for legislators who earned grades of A or B, but we will be monitoring and prioritizing pro-housing bills in the upcoming Session. You can expect a full scorecard to be released next spring.

How Grades Were Assigned

To make results clear and consistent, we used distinct grading scales for the House of Delegates and the Senate, accounting for the number and weight of housing votes in each chamber. Legislators who went above and beyond — earning extra credit through sponsorships — could even exceed 100%.

House of Delegates Grading Scale

• A: Over 100% or at least 700 points
• B: Over 90% and at least 450 points

Senate Grading Scale

• A: Over 100% or at least 675 points
• B: Over 90% and at least 300 points

Grade Descriptions

• A: Visible housing champions going above and beyond
• B: Strong supporters of high-priority legislation

Together, these grades highlight who’s driving Virginia’s housing movement forward.