Affordable housing statewide is a dire need for the disability community, consisting of a significant number who are extremely low income living on SSI income, homeless, segregated in nursing facilities and living in unstable conditions with high rent burdens. Affordable housing construction across Virginia is needed to ensure accessible housing for those who have mobility disabilities, and partnering with public housing agencies can provide project-based voucher units affordable to people with disabilities who are extremely low income. As many people with disabilities are priced out of the housing market, this bill will promote the fair share of housing development afforded to people with disabilities.

Virginia First Cities requests removal of line 54, the delayed effective date. Many of our cities are most anxious to use the tools that HB 74 would provide to provision additional affordable, mixed use/income transit oriented housing in our above average and high fiscally stressed cities.

City of Falls Church Council respectfully submits comments on tje following: 1) Suppprt SB74 for furthering permossive affordable housing statewide, we all are working together 2) Support SB589- good step forward on tree onservation a key priority as the City has been a tree city USA for 47 consecutive years 3) Oppose SB454 as localities must have ability to oversee zoning diatricts for benefit of its community and one size does not fit all, SB 717 overlay model is a preferred approach to addressing housing affordablility. Thank you for your consideration.