Director Bryan Horn to Depart Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Strategic Insights -

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's Director Bryan Horn will leave his position on May 30, 2025, to accept another opportunity. As the driving force behind Governor Youngkin's "Make Virginia Home" initiative, Horn led the Administration's efforts to boost housing construction statewide. Deputy Secretary of Commerce & Trade Maggie Beal will assume the role of interim director, bringing her extensive experience to the agency. Horn's departure marks the end of a notable tenure, marked by significant accomplishments in housing reform, affordable housing, and economic development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Director Bryan Horn will depart the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development on May 30, 2025, to pursue another opportunity.
  • As the architect of Governor Youngkin's "Make Virginia Home" initiative, Horn led efforts to catalyze housing construction statewide, resulting in the creation of over 150,000 new broadband connections to homes and businesses.
  • During Horn's tenure, Virginia saved homeowners an average of $24,000 per new house through reforms to the Uniform Building Code.
  • Horn also oversaw the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, other state and federal funding sources, and reforms to allocation methods for tax-exempt private activity bonds.
  • Director Horn led efforts to help Southwest Virginia communities recover from Hurricane Helene, creating the Virginia Disaster Assistance Fund and expediting federal assistance through the Community Development Block Grant program.
  • Maggie Beal, the newly appointed interim director, brings a wealth of experience to the agency, having served in federal, state, and local government.
  • Beal has focused on rural economic development since joining the Youngkin Administration in 2024.
  • As Deputy Secretary of Commerce & Trade, Beal will continue to serve concurrently with her duties as interim director.

Statistics:

  • $24,000: Average savings per new house for Virginia homeowners due to Uniform Building Code reforms.
  • 150,000: New broadband connections built to homes and businesses during Horn's tenure, exceeding all other states three-fold.
  • 2022: Year Horn joined the Youngkin Administration.
  • 2024: Year Maggie Beal joined the Youngkin Administration, focusing on rural economic development.
  • May 30, 2025: Date Director Bryan Horn will depart the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Sources:

  • Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development press release
  • Names of individuals and organizations mentioned are used EXACTLY as they appear in the source.