U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) introduced two bipartisan bills to provide relief to students struggling to manage record levels of college debt. One proposal streamlines income-based repayment programs, and the other would allow employers to recruit and retain talented workers by helping to pay-down an employee’s student loan debts with pre-tax income

“Sea levels are rising faster in Norfolk than almost anywhere else in the U.S., and recurrent flooding continues to damage the communities and homes in the region,” said Sen. Warner. “By helping communities incorporate innovative policies to address the many challenges presented by extreme weather, we can create long-lasting resilience to protect Hampton Roads against the very real threat of climate change.”

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today more than $6.9 million in Housing Trust Fund grants and loans for the Homeless Reduction Grant and the Competitive Loan Program. Twenty-three projects will receive grants through these two programs of the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is intended to create and preserve affordable housing and to reduce homelessness in the Commonwealth.

Arlington County real estate assessments for 2016 show an overall increase in property values of 2.8 percent over 2015. Residential and commercial property values increased slightly.

In January 2015 Arlington, along with 74 other communities nationwide, formally committed to ending veteran homelessness by the end of the year. Twelve months later it’s “mission accomplished,” as Arlington moved 20 homeless military veterans from the streets and shelters into permanent, stable housing and achieved functional zero for veteran homelessness in 2015

Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined a bipartisan group of 12 Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to change inconsistent and burdensome regulations placed on “Blue Water Navy” veterans seeking health care and benefits for conditions resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals during their service aboard Navy ships in Vietnam.

China's Chengdu J-20 fighter has officially entered the early stages of production. The bird you see here is the first production model of the large, stealthy fighter, photographed on the tarmac just days ago. The fighter, marked 2101 on the fuselage, is painted a dull yellow—likely a primer coat. The low rate initial production (LRIP) fighters will likely go to People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) test pilots for flight testing. The prototype's appearance means that most of the plane is likely frozen, design-wise

City Manager Mark B. Jinks has announced the appointment of Helen S. McIlvaine as Director of Housing for the City of Alexandria, effective November 23, 2015. McIlvaine has served as Acting Director since January 1.

We often don't see them unless we are truly observing. Nearly 600,000 people across the United States, on any given night, live in our communities without homes (according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2015 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress). Some live in their cars. Others use makeshift shelters around our cities. Others move from abandoned building to abandoned building

November residential real estate sales support the year’s strengthening market. Year-to-date sales through November 30, 2015, account for more than $32.02 billion in sales volume, according to the November 2015 Home Sales Report released by the Virginia Association of REALTORS® (VAR). Relative to the same year-to-date period for 2014, the value of sales transactions has increased by 11.7 percent. Both the number of units sold and the median sales price have risen steadily, contributing to the boost in year-over-year market performance