Proposed City of Williamsburg rent program ignites pushback from students, landlords

Plus: WJCC Schools approved a new joint operating agreement, James City County entered into an emergency curbside recycling contract and more news.

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Oct. 10, 2025 Happy Friday, Historic Triangle! A coastal storm is heading our way this weekend. Local meteorologists are tracking a nor'easter expected to develop along the Southeast coast and move northward over the weekend.  Heavy rain, strong wind and coastal impacts are possible late Saturday through Monday. Major tidal flooding is forecast during Sunday's tide cycles in the Peninsula, according to 13News Now Meteorologist Tim Pandajis. Rainfall totals could be in the range of 2 - 4 inches in our area. Wind gusts will be highest on Sunday. - Weather photo & caption - Gradually drier weather moves in next week. High temperatures will be in the upper 60s to low 70s through Thursday. Now to the news. -Christin Proposed City of Williamsburg rent program ignites pushback from students, landlords by Christin Nielsen and Clare Gifford Planning and Codes Compliance Director Tevya Griffin hosts the final Rent Ready public input session at the Stryker Center on Sept. 30. (Photo courtesy of Clare Gifford) The City of Williamsburg wants to implement a new program designed to improve off campus housing, but the proposal is drawing ire from local residents, landlords and students. "Rent Ready" has been conceptualized by the city since 2021. It was developed in response to concerns surrounding the affordability and safety of rental housing in the areas surrounding William & Mary. Three input sessions were held in August and September to gauge public sentiment surrounding the program. The majority of property owners and residents who attended the meetings said they did not support the policy in its current form. The proposed ordinance, according to the city, is designed to be a "partnership for better living" that would "strengthen neighborhoods by aligning the interest of students, landlords and longtime residents."  To qualify for certification through Rent Ready, landlords would need to allow their properties to undergo an inspection by the city. A point system would be used to rate the home based on specific criteria, such as structural integrity and an absence of health hazards. Landlords would also be required to provide at least two amenities, such as including utilities in the rent, offering 24-hour maintenance services and providing yard maintenance.  Properties must score at least an 80 out of 100 to be certified. Occupancy limitations are a key part of the proposed new ordinance and were the major sticking point for many who attended the input sessions. No more than three unrelated tenants would be allowed to live in Rent Ready units. To be permitted to increase occupancy to four unrelated tenants, a property would need to maintain a score of 95 or higher for four years in a row. Students who participated in the meetings had several complaints about the limitations the program would create. Most agreed that any proposal designed to support students should fully remove the three-person restriction. Allowing fewer people to live on a property would cause rent prices to jump at a time when Greater Williamsburg is already contending with a housing affordability crisis, students said. Deven Sawkar, a senior at William & Mary, told The Triangle the proposal "directly harms students and frames them as an issue to be dealt with," rather than serving as a partner in an ongoing dialogue. "The Rent Ready proposal, as written, risks making housing less affordable for students," Sawkar said. "The required inspections, scoring, and penalties would raise compliance costs and put upward pressure on rents, while the long wait for any real occupancy incentive could discourage landlords from renting to students at all." Williamsburg For All, a student Political Action Committee, laid out arguments against the Rent Ready program in a newly launched website. The current proposal requires mandatory "good neighbor" classes for Rent Ready housing occupants, which the group said would be time-consuming and demeaning. The measure would also lead to significant punishments for both students and landlords who violate local ordinances pertaining to noise, trash or parking. Landlords and property owners who attended the public meetings also expressed concerns about the consequences they could face when students violate local ordinances. They say their property could easily lose certification over minor infractions, adding they have little to no control over student noise issues.  While the program would be voluntary, the idea behind it is that William & Mary and the City of Williamsburg would only endorse Rent Ready-certified programs as off-campus housing options for students. If the policy is approved, single-family detached dwellings in areas adjacent to William & Mary would be eligible.  The proposed ordinance is modeled after the Rent Ready Norfolk program, which was adopted in 2016. The initiative is designed to promote quality housing for military members, reduce the number of poorly managed properties and promote better relationships between landlords and tenants. At the final public input session, some students and landlords said the Williamsburg Rent Ready proposal has potential but needs to be reworked. "I am excited about the idea of the city engaging with students and proposing housing programs that could benefit students," Sawkar said. "It is important that there are amendments to this current proposal to get to that place, which is why students are so fired up about Rent Ready as it stands." What's next: Public feedback on the program will continue to be accepted by the city. Those who would like to share their thoughts can do so by filling out an online form at williamsburgva.gov/rentready. City Council is expected to review the proposal in November. WJCC Schools adopt new joint funding contract The WJCC School Board and Central Office. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle) A new funding contract supporting the joint operation of the Williamsburg-James City County school system was finalized during a meeting between the WJCC School Board, Williamsburg City Council and James City County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 10. All parties agreed to adopt a modernized approach designed to strengthen student outcomes, according to a James City County news release. Both localities will invest more money into the school system under the new contract. James City County agreed to contribute $104,500,000 in fiscal year 2027, while the City of Williamsburg will kick in $14,450,000. Local contributions will be adjusted every year, starting in FY2028, based on increases or decreases in student enrollment from each locality. A simplified capital funding approach will be in effect moving forward. James City County and the City of Williamsburg will be responsible for financially supporting the capital projects within their own locality.  Both localities, however, will contribute to capital expenses for shared facilities, like the Administrations Building and Operations Center. The current budget process for the school system will also change. The two localities will provide an initial proposed budget for the division's operating costs in October of each year.  The WJCC School Board will then develop an operating budget within the funding parameters they are given. They will have the option of requesting more funds for specific student performance-related goals. Joint meetings between officials from both localities and the school board will be required three times a year in October, December and February. Finally, the governance structure for the system has been amended to include the WJCC School Board. The James City County Board of Supervisors is also permitted to add two additional seats to the board if deemed necessary by population growth.  What officials are saying: Following Friday morning's meeting, local leaders said the new contract makes important strides toward resolving longstanding tension between the two localities and the school board. Sarah Ortego, WJCC School Board Chair, said the agreement reflects the idea that the community educational system is stronger when all three parties work together for the benefit of students. "For the first time, the school division is a named party to the agreement, reflecting our shared responsibility and mutual commitment to the success of every child we serve," Ortego said. "As we move forward, we remain united in purpose — pursuing excellence and championing the success of every student." Mayor Douglas Pons said that the contract marks "a significant step forward" for the school system. "The Williamsburg City Council is proud to invest more money within a funding structure that better supports strategies to strengthen student performance," Pons said. Jim Icenhour, James City County's Board of Supervisors chair, added that the agreement is designed to better serve not only students and families but also the "wonderful educators and support staff" at WJCC Schools. "We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the City of Williamsburg and the WJCC School Board to support the high-quality educational system that makes our community so special," Icenhour said. Effective immediately: The contract officially commenced on Oct. 10. It will not be able to be modified prior to Jan 1, 2030. James City County enters into emergency curbside recycling agreement A TFC recycling container. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle) James City County has entered into an emergency curbside recycling contract with Tidewater Fibre Corp. (TFC), the county announced Wednesday. Starting on Oct. 13, county recycling customers will begin receiving service again on their regularly scheduled week and day. The 90-day contract will run through Jan. 13 and will cover the services that were included in the Oct. 1 - Dec. 21 billing cycle. County residents lost access to curbside recycling services on Sept. 30 after the regional waste management authority, the Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority (VPPSA) abruptly canceled its 7-year-long agreement with TFC, citing performance and billing issues. According to Renee Dallman, public information officer for James City County, a competitive bid process to find a long-term provider will soon be underway. "We appreciate everyone's patience as we have worked to reestablish a Countywide curbside recycling option," Dallman said in a statement. Background: VPPSA's decision to end its curbside recycling contract with TFC impacted all Historic Triangle localities - James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg - as well as the City of Poquoson. The City of Williamsburg responded by entering into an emergency curbside recycling contract with Republic Services, a company that already provides trash collection service in the city. Poquoson also entered into an emergency contract with TFC. York County has not yet reached a solution, leaving residents in a continued state of limbo. County citizens may continue to place their recycling bins at the curb on regularly designated pick-up days throughout the month of October. The contents of the bins will be emptied as trash. Those who wish to recycle the materials can drop them off at one of three recycling center locations.  CIVIC NOTES Williamsburg Regional Library will be closed this weekend, Friday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 12. James City County residents are invited to share feedback to help shape the county's 2026 Parks & Recreation Master Plan.  The York County Solid Waste Management Center will close early on Saturday, Oct. 11.  IN THE HEADLINES Taxes, school grades, green space top JCC candidates' forum discussion (Williamsburg Watch) James City Outlines Goals for Public Safety, Housing, Education (Williamsburg Independent) Dozens of Hampton Roads schools to get portion of $12M security grant (WTKR) How Richmond went all out to celebrate Francine the Lowe's cat (Axios) Virginia Governor's Debate: Spanberger and Earle-Sears face off in exclusive debate (WAVY) EVENTS THIS WEEKEND Check out our community calendar for this weekend's event highlights. (Please note that given this weekend's forecasted inclement weather, some programs will likely be postponed or canceled). LOWEST GAS PRICES TODAY All prices are courtesy of Gas Buddy. To check the lowest prices based on zip code, click here. This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen and Clare Gifford. Thanks for reading! 📰  Sign up to receive The Triangle's weekly newsletters here. 🖥️ Visit our website to read previous articles. 📧 Want to reach out? Email christin@thetriangle.news or reply to this email. The Triangle relies on reader support to exist. Support Our Work Sent to: godlyman@alexanderofyork.com Want to change how you receive The Triangle? Update your preferences here or unsubscribe here. The Triangle, P.O Box 7003, Williamsburg, VA 23188, United States