Mel Jones is a Research Scientist and Associate Director of the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech. She leads housing studies and housing research in Virginia and across the country. Mel specializes in quantitative analysis and data-driven policy connecting housing to broad issues including economic and community development, individual economic opportunity, and well-being.
Mel's current research is focused on regional housing markets and strategies, especially those that include rural and small metropolitan or micropolitan areas. Her expertise is demonstrated in her recent work: New River Valley Regional + Local Housing Study, the Fairfax County Consolidated Plan, and the Loudoun County Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan. Mel earned a BS in Economics and a BA in International Service from American University as well as an MS in Applied Economics and a Master of Urban Affairs and Planning from Virginia Tech.
In her 2022 MSLUA keynote, Mel will highlight the most pressing rural housing issues, best practices and provide the beginnings of a road map to address rural housing issues