Good afternoon Chairperson Bulova and thank you for this opportunity to testify today. My name is Sosseh Prom, and I am the Housing Justice Director at African Communities Together (ACT). ACT is a national nonprofit dedicated to fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for immigrants in the U.S., and does so by empowering African immigrants to integrate socially, advance economically, and engage civically. In this effort, we advocate for equity, dignity and respect for all, which is why we support House Bill 442. Families are often evicted for relatively small amounts of unpaid rent. Court data shows that in 2018 and 2019 (pre-pandemic), roughly 45% of the eviction judgments entered in Virginia were for amounts less than the statewide average monthly rent. Evictions for such small amounts are burdensome for both tenants and landlords, as they create costs for both parties that can, and should be, easily be avoided. For tenants, the consequences of these evictions are dire. If a tenant is evicted, they not only have to deal with the financial burdens that come with searching for, and moving into, a new home, but they also face the difficulty of finding an apartment with an eviction on their record; instability; and in worst cases, experience homelessness. For landlords filing evictions for such small amounts, the financial cost of court fees, attorneys, etc. often surpass the amount of rent they are seeking to collect; not to mention the extra work and resources it takes for landlords to find new tenants to take over vacant apartment units. This issue of evictions and associated costs will only worsen, as pandemic protections have lapsed and we are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis in Virginia. House Bill 442 addresses these problems by giving tenants more time and flexibility to catch up on rent through a payment plan, thereby avoiding eviction. A payment plan shall allow families the flexibility needed to maintain housing stability, keep debts for all parties low by avoiding court costs, and make it more likely for landlords to collect their rent and maintain a steady stream of income from residents. While some opponents of the bill argue that having payment plans only financially burdens landlords, it is important to recognize the safeguards in the bill that provide adequate protection for landlords. The bill only applies if the rent being sought is equivalent to one month’s rent or less. It does not apply to tenants who owe an exorbitant amount. Furthermore, if a payment plan is created and a tenant fails to make a payment, the landlord has the option to immediately terminate the payment plan and initiate eviction proceedings. HB442 seeks to provide flexibility and housing stability for tenants, while simultaneously providing safeguards for landlords’ business interests, which is why I hope you will join us in supporting the passage of HB442. Thank you for your consideration.

I am writing in support of tenants like myself for the above bills that would level the power dynamic in the landlord-tenant relationship. Rent is too high, conditions are poor, and we want to keep our community housed. Please support tenants, especially bills that allow us for our own experience without retaliation or feeling scared. We are in a housing crisis and we must escape it with a justice frame at the forefront.

I am writing on behalf of the VSC NAACP Housing Committee to express our strong support for the bills highlighted below that aim to enhance tenant protections and rights within our community. These proposed measures are crucial steps toward addressing the existing power imbalance between renters and landlords, which places renters at an elevated risk of housing instability, harassment, and homelessness. As you are aware, the disparity in power between renters and landlords is a significant concern that has far-reaching implications, particularly for marginalized communities. This power imbalance not only jeopardizes housing stability but also perpetuates racial inequity. Numerous studies have shown that communities of color are disproportionately affected by eviction and housing instability, exacerbating existing disparities. Tenant protections, when enacted into law, serve as a fundamental tool in preventing evictions and ensuring that renters can maintain stable housing. We firmly believe that these proposed bills, with their emphasis on enhancing tenant rights, will contribute significantly to rectifying the current imbalances and fostering a more equitable housing landscape. By supporting and advancing these bills, we collectively acknowledge the importance of safeguarding vulnerable renters, promoting housing stability, and working towards a more just and inclusive society. We urge you to consider the broader impact that these legislative measures can have on our community and to cast your support in favor of their passage. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your dedication to serving the interests of our community and trust that you will carefully consider the positive impact that these bills can have on the lives of countless individuals and pass them accordingly. Sincerely, Tracey Hardney Scott Housing Committee Chair VSC NAACP Housing Committee