Members of the Virginia House of Delegates, I respectfully submit comments in support of several tenant protection bills before the committee. HB14 allows localities to act when landlords fail to correct serious health and safety violations. Giving localities this authority helps ensure Virginians are not forced to remain in dangerous living conditions simply because they lack the resources to pursue enforcement on their own. HB15 extends the waiting period before a lease may be terminated for nonpayment of rent. A longer window can prevent avoidable evictions while still allowing landlords to collect what is owed. HB95 encourages stability by requiring larger landlords to offer payment plans for limited rental arrears before moving toward termination. Short term financial hardship should not automatically result in displacement of Virginians when a reasonable path to repayment exists. HB329 strengthens protections against retaliatory conduct when tenants assert their legal rights. Tenants must be able to request repairs or report violations without fear of eviction or other punishment. HB519 adds air conditioning, when provided by the landlord, to the list of essential services. As extreme heat becomes more frequent, recognizing cooling as essential is an important step in protecting tenant health and safety. Together, these measures promote safer housing, fairer landlord-tenant relationships, and greater stability for families across the Commonwealth. I urge the committee to advance each of them. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Nichelle Clark NAACP Virginia State Conference